Raptors should be praised for their commitment to getting vaccinated

The NBA is still trying to get their vaccination rate as high as possible, as some marquee players on contending teams have been very vocal in their decision not to inoculate themselves despite every contrarian argument they can present being easily swatted down. The Toronto Raptors, luckily, do not have this problem.

The Raptors were impacted far more by COVID-19 than any other team in the league. In addition to their well-known exile to Tampa for the season, they lost several top players and assistant coaches in the middle of the season right when the team was finally starting to get some momentum.

Determined to both do their part to help North America get over this pandemic and allow more trappings of normalcy to return, the Raptors have decided to get nearly the entire squad completely vaccinated already.

During yesterday’s media day, GM Bobby Webster claimed that the Raptors are one second dose away from being fully vaccinated, meaning that they will be at 100% by the time that the regular season rolls around. Considering all of the anti-vaccine nonsense popping up lately, this is a massive win for Toronto.

The Toronto Raptors are protecting themselves against COVID-19.

Some of the most prominent names in the NBA have been outed as anti-vaxxers. Nets star Kyrie Irving has reportedly not been vaccinated, putting him in danger of missing Brooklyn’s home games due to New York City’s mandate for indoor activities.

Wizards star Bradley Beal, who is scheduled to open the season in Toronto, stated yesterday that he is skeptical about the vaccine because you can get the jab and still test positive. Beal, who, like Irving, likely graduated from YouTube University’s virology school, failed to understand the vaccine is a preventative measure, not a be-all, end-all cure.

Beal’s teammate, Kyle Kuzma, also went with the “personal choice” nonsense.

This is very clearly NOT a “respect my privacy” issue. Vaccination is a proven, effective way to minimize the impact of the virus on both the person infected and anyone to whom it may have been spread. When Irving, Beal, and Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, among others, are refusing to do their part, it could have an impact on the record.

Just ask the Raptors.

If you’re in the NBA, and you have no valid medical excuse for not being vaccinated, you’re being a reckless danger to yourself and others while we are still in the middle of a pandemic. At least the Raptors have done everything that they can to mitigate the chance of an outbreak.

For what feels like the 5,000th time, getting vaccinated is not about politics. For crying out loud. It’s a public health issue and a sign that you’re willing to do your part to protect those around you.

Throw into it the benefit of a potential competitive advantage, and the Raptors should be viewed as an example of how organizations should approach the vaccine.