The NBA season came to a sudden halt on March 11, 2020, marking a significant turning point for the sports world amidst the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. This decision followed the announcement that Rudy Gobert, a player from the Utah Jazz, tested positive for COVID-19. The NBA made the suspension official at 9:32 p.m. that evening, as the virus began to reshape daily life across the globe.
In the weeks leading up to this pivotal moment, the league had been proactively considering measures to address the growing health crisis. As early as March 6, 2020, the NBA sent a memo to its teams, preparing them for the possibility of playing games without fans in attendance. This was part of a broader strategy to mitigate the spread of the virus, guided by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing with soap.
Dr. David Ho, a renowned virologist who previously consulted with the NBA during Magic Johnson's HIV announcement in the early 1990s, was once again called upon. Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, reached out to Dr. Ho on March 11, 2020, asking him to serve as a consultant for navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proactive Measures and Precautions
The NBA's preparation for operating in a pandemic environment included various precautionary measures aimed at protecting players and staff. Recommendations emphasized avoiding close contact with sick individuals and refraining from sharing water bottles, towels, glasses, or eating utensils. The league also suggested prioritizing fist bumps over traditional high-fives as a safer alternative.
A key meeting took place on March 10, 2020, lasting 45 minutes and focusing on the implementation of COVID-19 protocols. During this meeting, league officials discussed strategies to manage the rapidly changing situation.
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