NBA Bubble is Keeping Players Healthy, For Now
The NBA bubble in Orlando has been successful in keeping players safe, but will be tested in the coming weeks.
It has been a month since 22 NBA teams entered Disney World, Florida for what was essentially an experiment. As of Wednesday, the league has carried out five consecutive rounds of negative coronavirus testing.
It’s a testament to the ambition, ingenuity of the NBA, and buy in of everyone involved. However, a high number of variables are about to be introduced into the quarantined facility.
From August 31, friends and family will be allowed to visit players in the bubble. It’s vital for all parties to remain diligent and vigilant, according to NBA director of sports medicine Dr. John DiFiori. The fact that it is not a static environment means the league has to constantly adapt.
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“Continued attention to the protocols, meticulous review and appropriate modification of our processes, and ongoing monitoring of new scientific developments will remain our focus as the restart unfolds,†he said.
Visitors will be required to self isolate a week prior to to arriving, and then quarantine afterwards.
“We cannot let modest short-term success lead to complacency,” DiFiori added.
“This is an extremely challenging situation, and we cannot let our guard down.”
A high-ranking official told ESPN that the league’s strict enforcement of protocols has been crucial in pulling it all off.
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“With any group of people, if left to their own devices, compliance would not be high,” said the official. “But the league has really reinforced and put up checkpoints. … The logistics behind it have been amazing.
“The number of hours a day we all spend in masks, we probably never would have thought going into this that people would do it,” they continued, “but they do it.”
