COVID-19 vaccinations have been around for more than six months in the United States. Three different variations have come out, and many citizens have taken the shot to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, roughly 55 percent of the United States has been vaccinated for COVID-19.
Numerous different celebrities have strongly advocated for vaccinations. Actresses from Jennifer Aniston to athletes such as Charles Barkley have all advocated for vaccinations amongst people in their field and across the country.
Hall of Fame Basketball player Charles Barkley has called it selfish for NBA players to not get vaccinated. (Photo Via wikipedia.org)
Not everyone feels the same, not only in the country but in the NBA. Although 95 percent of NBA players have reportedly been vaccinated, there are several players refusing the vaccine. This has led to controversy amongst celebrities, fans, and politicians alike.
Although the NBA currently does not require players to be vaccinated, it does require staff and arena employees to be vaccinated. Some cities with NBA teams around the country, however, do require vaccinations for players to be able to play in that city.
It has been reported that Brooklyn Nets All Star Kyrie Irving has not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. More details on Irving’s religious exemption are yet to come, but if Irving does not get the vaccination, he will not be allowed to play in home games, due to New York City COVID restrictions.
It has been reported that Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has also not been vaccinated. The city of San Francisco has recently denied his religious exemption to play without being vaccinated meaning Wiggins may not be allowed to play home games.
The choice some NBA players have made to not get vaccinated is nearly split amongst NBA fans at Dean. One independent poll revealed that 67 percent of NBA fans at Dean disagreed with players who refused to get vaccinated.
“I think that players should get their vaccines because so many people have died from COVID, and these players still haven’t gotten their vaccine.” Said one student.
Many people around the country do support these unvaccinated players and the choice to decline vaccination without consequence. Texas Republican senator Ted Cruz has stood by Kyrie Irving and other unvaccinated players in a tweet this past Tuesday.
Texas senator Ted Cruz supports several NBA players and their hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo Via @tedcruz on twitter.com)
It is hard to say what comes next for these players in their NBA careers. Whether they will comply with vaccination rules or boycott the cities their teams are in by not playing in home game is yet to be seen. One possibility is that these players could end up being traded from their teams, strongly impacting the outlook of the league.
(Cover Photo Via nba.nbcsports.com)