NBPA’s Michele Roberts: There’s nothing irresponsible about NBA teams trying to get tests

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said she was disappointed in the criticism NBA teams and players have gotten for receiving access to coronavirus tests.

Per ESPN, “There’s nothing irresponsible — if you’ve got that information [that you’ve been exposed] — about trying to get the tests," Roberts told ESPN on Wednesday. "The problem that more of us can’t get the tests — and I’m not apologetic about saying it — in my view, that rests at the foot of the federal government. They were responsible for making sure we were protected in that regard, and I think they failed.

“We shouldn’t be fighting about this now … but once this is done and we get through it, and we will, let’s figure out who screwed up and fix that."

Roberts said she understood the criticism but reiterated her criticism of how the government has handled the crisis.

"I get it," Roberts said. "People should not be having to wait in line. The at-risk population should be the first to be tested. But god damn it, if the government had done what they were supposed to do, we wouldn’t be competing for an opportunity to be tested."

Roberts said she has advised her players to report any symptoms of the virus to team officials if they come up. She is actively discouraging any stigma from being attached to players who might test positive.

"I’m distressed if any player is distressed about having his name out there," she said. "There is no stigma attached to testing positive for coronavirus. I’m probably positive for coronavirus if I’m tested. Most of us will. I’m now hearing 50% of the population is probably going to be infected. We need to stop being concerned about there being some stigma about being infected — ‘Oh my God, he’s got the ‘rona.’

“That’s nonsense to worry about that. We need to worry about how we can contain it. My message to the players is, ‘Don’t for one second be embarrassed about it. There’s nothing embarrassing about it. This is not something that suggests you’ve done anything wrong. If you have it, now you know you need to be more careful in terms of your interactions.’"