New York mayor criticizes NBA teams for having preferential access to coronavirus tests

Less than a day after it was confirmed four Brooklyn Nets players have tested positive for COVID-19, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement condeming the league for receiving quick access to the testing kits over those in need.

“We wish them a speedy recovery…But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested for COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested. Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick.” said De Blasio, lashing out at the NBA and the wealthy for receiving preferential treatment.

The NBA has since responded, defending their access to the test kits since they are in a unique situation where they come into contact with a lot of people.

“Public health authorities and team doctors have been concerned that, given NBA players’ direct contact with each other and close interactions with the general public, in addition to their frequent travel, they could accelerate the spread of the virus,”  said NBA spokesperson Mike Bass in a statement. 

Hopefully, by these players choosing to make their rest results public, they have drawn attention to the critical need for young people to follow CDC recommendations in order to protect others, particularly those with underlying health conditions and the elderly.”

So far, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Christian Wood, and Kevin Durant are among the eight confirmed cases of NBA players having conoravirus to this date.