Boston Celtics veteran guard Marcus Smart appeared on the Cuomo Prime Time Show on CNN Friday night to discuss his recent diagnosis with he coronavirus currently wreaking havoc on the globe and the NBA season.
Smart revealed he was infected with the pandemic-causing illness Thursday in a message to fans and the general public emphasizing the importance of social distancing in light of his asymptomatic condition.
He related to following on these issues the popular news show:
“I feel great. I feel like I can go play a game right now … I found out yesterday evening … for me, it was like a surprise, because like I said, I feel fine. I don’t have any symptoms, and I haven’t had any symptoms, so for me, when they told me I had [the virus], I was like ‘Oh, wow.’ It definitely really makes you alert to what’s going on in the situation at hand.”
When asked if he wasn’t taking the self-isolation seriously before the diagnosis, the Texan replied, “no, I’ve actually been taking the quarantine, the self-isolation very seriously.
“I’ve been quarantined for a while now, ever since we got back from the road trip and [we] decided to get the whole team tested,” he continued. “I’ve been quarantined ever since.”
Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart, who tested positive for the coronavirus, is calling on young people to take the virus "seriously."
"Be alert to what's going on and take the precautions to not only protect yourself. By protecting yourself, you protect others," he says. pic.twitter.com/DrXvmWKd1v
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) March 21, 2020
Concerning the potential for Smart to develop symptoms, and how his doctors feel about his prognosis, the Oklahoma State product was straightforward about his and his doctor’s optimistic outlooks.
“Actually, I’m not that concerned at all,” said Smart.
“Like I said I feel fine, and [have] no symptoms. I talked to my doctor, and they feel the exact same way with me, they just told me you haven’t really experienced any symptoms yet. You’ve already been quarantined, so you should be on the last curve of the ball.”
The longest-tenured Celtic made a point of relating the importance of quarantining and self-distancing to the health of the general public as well, echoing the message in the video he released on the night he revealed his positive diagnosis.
“Everyone in my corner feels great. We’re just ready to get this behind us, and and move on, like I said, but we’re taking the steps to make sure we keep everyone else safe around us. Me and my loved ones, and just people out in the streets.”
“I’m sure you know we keep the contact limited, and just quarantine. That’s the biggest key,” he added.
Marcus Smart wants to use his illness to fight coronavirus https://t.co/GyadBTpzSW
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 21, 2020
For those of us who would like a return to normalcy, such behavior is critical whether we present symptoms of the virus or not.
Anything less than our best effort on that front may not only delay or even prevent a return of NBA basketball in the near-term future, but threatens the lives of others who may develop symptoms and become seriously ill or die.
That Smart himself looks to be out of the woods in terms of danger to himself is wonderful news. But let’s heed his warning going forward, and play our part to stop this pandemic in its tracks.
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