OKC Thunder: Could ‘magic ring’ be key to keep Disney bubble virus free?

The OKC Thunder will have access to cutting edge high tech devices that could be key to keeping the bubble virus free.

The OKC Thunder players and staff within their travel party flew to Orlando on Wednesday as well as seven other clubs. Upon arrival at the Disney bubble, they underwent COVID-19 tests, then checked into their individual rooms to quarantine. The tests are a less invasive nasal swab and a throat swab.

Within 24 hours of receiving the results from the first test, as long as the result is negative they’ll take a second test. They’ll need to produce a second negative result to qualify to stop quarantining after 48 hours. The second test will be delivered by the medical team in the player’s hotel room.

If a player receives a positive test they’ll be quarantined in a separate area on the campus. The two-day (48-hour quarantine is shorter because of the preparation and testing completed leading up to arrival at the Disney bubble.

Notably, the OKC Thunder who arrived on the private team plane will only be quarantined for two days. This because they began testing on June 23rd when players returned for mandatory workouts. From that point forward they have been getting tested either every other day or daily.

In order to travel with their team, each member of the OKC Thunder (and all teams entering the WDW bubble) had to consistently produce negative tests. Anyone who tested positive was put into immediate isolation, quarantining at their home, and could only travel with the team if they produced multiple negative tests. This included the mandatory tests taken in the two days leading up to departure.

All the pre-testing was done in order to start the bubble with as close to a completely healthy situation.

There are exceptions. If a player was unable to travel with the team on the team’s private aircraft the process could be more complex. For example, anyone traveling on a public aircraft will be quarantined for a longer period.

The final group of eight teams will arrive in Orlando today.

NBA utilizing high tech devices to keep the bubble safe

Once the players confirm they are negative for the virus they’ll be able to go the practice facilities at a scheduled time and follow the protocol set out by the NBA in the 100 plus health and safety report.

The NBA is leaving no stone unturned using science and cutting edge technology to help keep the players safe and also to assist in early detection of the coronavirus.

Saliva test study:

The NBA is working with Yale University on a saliva test study. Players will have the option of participating. The goal is to ascertain how effective the less invasive saliva testing is. This could provide a breakthrough for the general population as well. If the study produces positive results the NBA could switch to saliva testing in the later round of the playoffs.

‘Magic’ wrist band:

Every player will wear a wrist band or ‘magic band’ that functions as a key – to open their hotel room, and also allow them to swipe for entry into different areas and to register for medical testing. The bands function similarly to swipe cards.

Proximity alarm bracelet:

There are two cool high-tech items being introduced. One is an alarm that goes off if the individual spends more than five seconds within six feet of another person.

Oura ‘Magic Ring’:

Most interesting is the Oura ring which records vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Since the ring can detect these body functions it would determine early signs of fever, difficulty breathing, and increased pulse.

That’s important because it can get ahead of the virus for early detection or denote if someone has become more susceptible to catching the virus or are getting ill with another ailment. The ring, which is made in Finland is not meant to replace testing, rather to work in concert with testing.

Web MD offers a more detailed description of the Oura ring and its capabilities:

"The company says the ring’s heart rate measurements have a proven reliability of 99.9%, compared to electrocardiograms, and measures how the heart rate varies with 98.4% reliability. It can detect temperature changes as small as .05 degrees."

Former OKC Thunder big man Serge Ibaka took to social media to show off his ring. As per CNBC the rings are titanium and the information they collect can detect the virus up to three days earlier than typical tests.

"The titanium rings, reportedly made by Oura, are capable of predicting COVID-19 symptoms up to three days in advance with 90% accuracy, according to the company."