N.B.A., Responding to Coronavirus, Encourages Fist Bumps Over High-Fives

The N.B.A. sent a memo to teams on Sunday advising them on how to handle the rapid spread of the coronavirus, as the death toll in the United States has risen to six — all in Washington State. Among the league’s recommendations was that players should opt for fist bumps instead of high-fives when interacting with fans. The memo also suggested players steer clearing of borrowing items like pens and markers from fans when signing autographs.

The memo was first reported by ESPN.

Many of the recommendations in the memo are the same as ones from the government, such as: “Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds” and “Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.”

The memo also says that the league and the players’ union are “closely monitoring the coronavirus situation, including by consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and working with infectious disease experts.”

The coronavirus is a respiratory illness that originated in China and has infected tens of thousands on multiple continents. It has stirred unrest in many countries, and its spread has coincided with a precipitous drop in the stock market.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/02/sports/basketball/nba-coronavirus.html