Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook was fortunate enough to escape from COVID-19 with minimal symptoms. Even so, with more than 140,000 now dead from the coronavirus just in the United States, Westbrook understands well that many others haven’t been as fortunate.
That’s why he and teammate P.J. Tucker went out of their way before Wednesday’s practice to endorse the use of masks as face coverings.
As part of the NBA’s plan to reduce any risks of viral spread within its “bubble” complex, players and other personnel are required to wear masks in indoor spaces when not working out. The league clarified this week that the policy also extends to Zoom interviews with media.
When asked about that policy, the 31-year-old Westbrook and 35-year-old Tucker made it clear that they had no problems, whatsoever.
Per Westbrook, now a nine-time NBA All-Star and the 2017 MVP:
Wearing a mask can be the difference between life and death. People are dying from this virus each and every day, and it’s something we need to take very seriously.
Tucker, who is known as one of the league’s most respected veterans and among its toughest players on the court, offered a similar sentiment:
I listen to the professionals. They say we wear a mask, we wear a mask. I just advise everybody to listen to the people that know and do what they say. At the end of the day, people are dying. A lot of people have died, and we’ve got to stay safe and protect one another. So for me, if they say we need to wear a mask, we wear a mask.
P.J. Tucker said he’s listening to the experts. They say wear a mask, so he’s wearing a mask. #Rockets #NBA pic.twitter.com/RaJyphCxHo
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) July 22, 2020
Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni, who at 69 years old is in the age demographic that experts warn could face a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, has said that he plans to coach while wearing a mask.
Houston owner Tilman Fertitta has also contributed to a growing push for greater mask compliance within the general U.S. population.
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At this point, the NBA’s safety policies — which include a heavy emphasis on masks in indoor settings — clearly seem to be working. As per the league’s latest COVID-19 testing update issued on July 20, zero players of the 346 at the bubble had tested positive within the last week.
For the NBA, masks certainly appear to be part of the solution.
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