Sports medicine physician Sara Gould, MD, has been working inside the NBA's bubble at Walt Disney World since July 12.
Dr. Gould is tasked with managing the overall medical response in the Orlando, Fla., bubble, whether that's scheduling X-rays or coordinating transportation for injured players.
A provider with the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, she will work in the bubble through the end of September.
Three quotes from Dr. Gould on life in the bubble:
1. On preventing the spread of COVID-19: "There is daily testing for all persons in the bubble, and our medical team assesses those results to be sure we are maintaining a safe environment. We meet throughout the day to consult on injuries, manage movement in and out of the bubble, conduct contact tracing and follow the latest medical information on testing and exposure."
2. On how events are playing out in an enclosed environment: "What we are learning is that masking and testing work. This proves it. The strategies in the bubble are showing how we can control the pandemic. If we could get everyone to do the right thing in terms of masking, distancing and exposure, we could slow this pandemic."
3. On deciding to kneel with her hand over her heart during the national anthem: "The NBA is committed to racial equality and social justice and is working hard to promote these concepts. I had a decision to make the first time they played the national anthem. Some of my patients at home are veterans. Some of my patients are Black, and some are Black veterans. I’m neither a veteran nor Black, so I struggled with my desire to be respectful to our veterans and also to acknowledge social injustice."