On Monday, Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac addressed why he does not currently plan to get vaccinated, revealing that he contracted COVID-19 in the past.
Isaac’s comments: Isaac’s name appeared in a recent Rolling Stone article about NBA players who refuse to get vaccinated, and on Monday he squarely explained his reasons for not getting vaccinated, and claimed that the authors of the article “badly misrepresented” him.
To clarify his stance on receiving the vaccine, Isaac spoke to the press on Monday, stating: “I am not anti-vax, I’m not anti-medicine, I’m not anti-science. I didn’t come to my current vaccination status by studying black history or watching Donald Trump press conferences. I have nothing but the utmost respect for every healthcare worker and person in Orlando and all across the world that have worked tirelessly to keep us safe. My mom has worked in healthcare for a really long time. I thank God, I’m grateful, that I live in a society where vaccines are possible, and we can protect ourselves and have the means to protect ourselves in the first place.”
Isaac then went on to state his belief that it is every individual’s personal choice on whether to take the vaccine, and they should not be criticized regardless of their choice.
“But with that being said, it is my belief that the vaccine status of every person should be their own choice, completely up to them without bullying, without being pressured, or without being forced into doing so,” Isaac continued. “I’m not ashamed to say that I’m uncomfortable with taking the vaccine at this time. I think that we’re all different, we all come from different places, we all have had different experiences, and hold dear to different beliefs, and what it is you do with your body when it comes to putting medicine in there should be your choice free of the ridicule and opinion of others.”
When asked why he was hesitant to get the vaccine, Isaac’s explained eloquently: “I would start with, I’ve had COVID in the past, and so our understanding of antibodies, of natural immunity has changed a great deal from the onset of the pandemic, and it’s still evolving. I understand that the vaccine would help if you catch COVID, and you’ll be able to have less symptoms from contracting it, but with me having COVID in the past, and having antibodies, with my current age group, and physical fitness level, it’s not necessarily a fear of mine. Taking the vaccine, like I said, it would decrease my chances of having a severe reaction, but it does open me up to the albeit rare chance, but the possibility of having an adverse reaction to the vaccine itself.”
Worth noting: Though the NBA does not currently require vaccination for NBA players, unvaccinated athletes may face an issue when they visit arenas in cities and states that require vaccinations to enter indoor gymnasiums.
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