The NBA announced that it will withhold the paychecks of star players who are hesitant to get the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines.
Superstar Kyrie Irving, left, leads a small coalition of players, including Bradley Beal, center, and Jonathan Isaac, right, who refuse to roll up their sleeves for the injections.
“Any player who elects not to comply with local vaccination mandates will not be paid for games that he misses,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement on Wednesday.
The multi-millionaire players plan to sit out home games in cities that have strict vaccine mandates.
The withholding of paychecks is among the Covid-19 compliance measures the NBA announced on Thursday morning.
The league plans to make life miserable for the unvaccinated holdouts.
When in their home cities, unvaccinated players will be required to remain at home. When they are on the road, they must remain in their hotel rooms, and away from large gatherings.
Unvaccinated players can practice with their vaxxed teammates, but they will be tested frequently.
About 90% of NBA players have received 2 doses of mRNA vaccine, according to reports.
However, Dr. Anthony Fauci moved the goalposts again by announcing people who received 2 shots of mRNA vaccine are no longer considered fully vaccinated.
In an interview with The Atlantic this week, Dr. Fauci said that a third booster shot is required to be fully vaccinated.
“I’ve made it clear that my opinion has always been that I believe that a third-shot booster for a two-dose mRNA [vaccine] should ultimately and will ultimately be the proper, complete regimen.
“The vaccine is very successful. The durability of it is something that’s a subject of considerable discussion and sometimes debate… I think we should be preventing people from getting sick from COVID even if they don’t wind up in the hospital.”
Fauci insisted it’s beneficial to have temporary protection [rather] than no protection. He made no mention of natural immunity.
Fauci and the CDC previously insisted that the mRNA vaccine would prevent the spread of the virus.
In March, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky spoke of impending doom if Spring breakers didn’t get vaccines or wear masks.
Fauci now claims he is studying the “durability” of the vaccine, meaning how long the protection will last.
Studies have shown the vaccines’ efficacy fades after 3-6 months and a booster will be needed at least every 6 months.
The FDA has approved emergency use of the booster shots for people age 65 and older, and those who are at high risk, including healthcare workers and people with underlying conditions.