NBA considers vaccinating players as a public service announcement

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that the league has discussed the possibility of players receiving COVID-19 vaccines to educate and influence the public regarding their safety and effectiveness.

“There are discussions. It’s something we are particularly focused on,” Silver said at a virtual conference organized by Sportico.

“In the African American community, COVID has had a vastly disparate impact … but now, in a somewhat perverse way, there has been enormous resistance [a las vacunas] in the African American community for understandable historical reasons … If that resistance continues, it would be like a double blow for the black community, because the only way out of this pandemic is to get vaccinated. “

Some public health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have said that leaders with great platforms such as ministers, artists, and athletes can help lead by example by receiving the vaccine.

“Various public health officials, and this is operating state by state at the moment, have suggested that it would be a real public health benefit to vaccinate some very high-profile African-Americans to demonstrate to the wider community that it is safe and effective.” Silver said.

“At the appropriate time, whenever it is and whether it is directed at the federal level by the NIH or the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or, ultimately, by state-by-state programs, we believe there are a real value in our players demonstrating to a wider community how important it is to get vaccinated, “added Silver.

Michele Roberts, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, noted that discussions with players have shown that many are hesitant about receiving the vaccine. She doubts herself.

“I heard they want black influencers to step up, convince the black community to do this,” Roberts said in an interview with Yahoo Sports last month. “I’m just waiting for the tap on the shoulder that says, ‘Michele, will the players do this?’ I know it’s coming. “

“But I haven’t made up my mind. I’m eager to be convinced it’s safe. I hope I’m convinced they’re safe. But I’m not a cheerleader.”

Last week, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar received his first dose of the vaccine in an effort to spread his support. On Monday, the NBA released a public service announcement featuring Abdul-Jabbar’s action during its Martin Luther King Day game show. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron also received the vaccine to spread the word.

Last month, Silver said “there is no way the NBA will jump the line in any way” and stressed that they would not attempt to vaccinate players without the support of public health officials.

The NBA is currently dealing with an outbreak of the virus, as 15 games have been postponed this season, 14 of them since January 10.

“Everything we do will be totally transparent and in conjunction with public health authorities, so it doesn’t make any sense that there is any favoritism here,” Silver said. “It will only be done if public health officials collectively determine that the time is right to vaccinate our players.”