We have been waiting for weeks to see if Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne was going to opt-out because of COVID-19. Delle Donne has Lyme disease, and everybody thought she would opt-out.
On Monday night, a panel of physicians has denied her request to opt-out of the 2020 season. Delle Donne’s doctor advised her not to play due to the risk of catching coronavirus.
Delle Donne Speaks
The 2019 WNBA MVP had this to say about the situation.” The independent panel of doctors the league appointed to review high-risk cases have advised that I’m not high risk. And should be permitted to play in the bubble. She also added, ” I love my team, and we had an unbelievable season last year, and i want to play! But the question is whether or not the WNBA bubble is safe for me. My personal physician, who has treated me for Lyme disease for years. Advised that I’m high risk for contracting and having complications from COVID-19.”
Tough Decision
This has to be a tough situation for Delle Donne, now she has to sit down with her doctor and her family and decide what she wants to do. Lyme disease is not on the Prevention’s list of underlying conditions that could put a person at increased risk for severe illness from coronavirus.
So not getting approved the panel of physicians, Delle Donne has to decide to sit out the season with no pay or play with her health issues. It is tough for the Mystics star; had she been approved, she would have been able to sit out and be paid her full salary.
Delle Donne is a six-time All-Star and WNBA MVP; last season, she led the Washington Mystics to a WNBA title. She also became the first woman to post 50-90-40 season. It will be interesting to see what Delle Donne does. I would love to see her play, but it is not worth her health.
