The NBA restart is less than three weeks away as players continue to ramp up in preparation for the start of games on July 30. But recent developments in the state of Florida lend cause for concern. The Florida Department of Health reported over 15,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the highest single-day mark of any state in the country since the start of the pandemic. Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers voiced his concern on Twitter Sunday afternoon, imploring Floridians to wear a mask and keep one another safe.
My beloved people in FL…please wear masks!!! 15,000 new cases in a day smh. This been out of control all over the Country. Wear a mask!!!!!
— Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) July 12, 2020
The rising number of COVID-19 cases is especially pertinent to NBA players at the restart, given they are playing in Orlando.
While the NBA has taken precautions to keep players within the “bubble” at Disney World, it will also allow players and teams to explore the theme park (via Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY):
The NBA informed teams of “bookable experiences on the NBA campus at Disney” in a memo delivered late Wednesday night. The NBA’s season restart is scheduled for July 30 at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida. By the end of Thursday, all 22 teams participating will be on campus.
Of course, this could possibly become problematic should players be exposed to the novel coronavirus from other citizens attending the park.
The NBA and NBPA have worked for months on end to develop a plan for the bubble, not to mention numerous health and safety protocols.
It would be a shame for everything to come crashing down if the state continues to experience massive outbreaks.
Hence, Rivers is asking everyone to be safe and wear a mask.
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