LeBron James getting vaccinated for COVID-19 Protection

Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic threw the entire world into disarray. Every sphere of life was affected by the virus, and since 2020, nothing has been the same.

Among the countless fields affected, sports has been one of them. Every sport was suspended at the time due to fears of spreading the virus among players and fans. Eventually, sport made a return to everyone’s lives, and basketball was among them.

Getting vaccinated for the virus is being done at a rapid rate around the world. However, when it comes to sports, the rate of vaccination is less. Players are hesitant to take the vaccine for various reasons, and it is a cause for concern.

photo of lebron james in 2021
Source: webmd.com

LeBron James is perhaps the face of basketball at the moment. He is one of the best players in the world today, and has been for quite a few years now. He has also recently gotten jabbed, which is a great thing. It sends out a message to the rest of the NBA that he is doing it, so can the other players.

James getting vaccinated for COVID-19 protection will hopefully inspire the rest of the non-vaccinated players to do the same.

LeBron’s thoughts on getting vaccinated

LeBron James recently confirmed that he had received and taken the COVID-19 vaccine. The Lakers superstar gave his thoughts on the vaccine, his jab, and said that he took it considering various factors, including the health and well-being of his family and friends.

“I know that for me I can speak about myself,” James said.

He then went on to say that everyone is entitled to their opinion, saying, “I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family, and things of that nature.

“I know that I was very (confused) about it all, but after doing my research, and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but for my family and for my friends, and that’s why I decided to do it.”

However, James refused to elaborate on other details of his vaccination. He didn’t mention any specifics of his jab, like which vaccine he received or how many doses he had taken. He also talked about some of his colleagues not taking the vaccination, and said that although he has taken it, he is not going to encourage other players to get the jab.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James fields questions during the NBA basketball team's Media Day Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Source: rollingstone.com

Last season, LeBron was on the fence regarding the vaccine and getting vaccinated. According to The New York Times, he used to frequently evade and avoid questions regarding his vaccination status last season. He was not alone, because there were several players who refused to take the vaccine.

Now that LeBron and a lot of other players are vaccinated, they are raring for the season to begin. Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka said that he expects the entire team’s roster to be fully vaccinated before they begin the season in a match against the Golden State Warriors on the 19th of October, 2021.

“All of the players that are currently signed on our roster, on that night, will be deemed fully vaccinated,” Pelinka said. “We’re really grateful for that.”

LeBron’s advice on getting vaccinated

James got vaccinated, and he has been pretty reserved regarding it. The strange thing is that the NBA’s poster boy is not very interested in helping the NBA push the message of vaccination to its players. There is a burgeoning anti-vaccination crisis in the league, and the NBA wants to solve it as soon as possible.

James has been tight-lipped regarding his vaccination and the general benefits of vaccination. On Tuesday, during the LA Lakers’ media day, he talked briefly about vaccination and gave his advice for fellow players.

“We’re talking about individuals’ bodies,” he said. “We’re not talking about something that’s political or racism or police brutality and things of that nature.”

LeBron then stated his reluctance to speak on the matter, saying, “We’re talking about people’s bodies and well-being.

“So I don’t feel like for me, personally, that I should get involved in what other people should do for their bodies and their livelihoods.”

LeBron James Says He'll Keep Decision on COVID-19 Vaccine 'A Private Thing'  | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
Source: bleacherreport.com

When asked what his message was to his colleagues who were yet to take the vaccination, James said, “As far as speaking for everybody and their individualities and things they want to do, that’s not my job.”

James’ lack of involvement is controversial, because the NBA’s problem with anti-vaxxers is escalating to a serious level. There is a strong anti-vaccination agenda spreading in the league. James taking the jab does little to help, because the main culprit is his former teammate Kyrie Irving.

Irving, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets, seems to be part of the deluded anti-vaccination community. Recently, he has been following, liking and interacting with posts and media from an account. This account is so shady that it claims vaccines are a Satanic plan to link people of colour, especially black people, to a master computer.

This unbelievable rumour seems like hot garbage, but it has surprisingly spread like wildfire in the NBA. Rolling Stone claimed that the theory spread “across multiple NBA locker rooms and group chats.” According to reliable NBA sources, 50-60 players have seen this and not made any plans to get vaccinated.

In fact, Irving was absent during media day because his lack of vaccination meant he couldn’t comply with New York City’s travel rules. Therefore, he fulfilled his media duties via video call. Needless to say, he was quizzed regarding his stance on vaccination. The elephant in the room was obviously his availability given his lack of vaccination.

Nets' Kyrie Irving not at media day due to health and safety protocols:  Sources - The Athletic
Source: theathletic.com

“I would like to keep all that private,” Irving said. “Please just respect my privacy.”

Looks like no one can help you if you don’t want to be helped. Whether LeBron offers advice or not, it’s really on the individual to keep themselves and other people safe.

We hope our readers are vaccinated, or are going for it at the earliest.

Read more: LeBron James’ talk show set to now feature Naomi Osaka after success of Obama, Drake and Minhaj

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