Daily Archives: July 13, 2020

With the number of new cases of COVID-19 continuing to set records in the U.S. and deaths from the disease rising daily, public health officials and politicians have increasingly pinned their hopes on a vaccine to overcome the pandemic. Dr. Uch Blackstock, Yahoo News medical contributor and Advancing Health Equity CEO, explains the issues involved in developing a vaccine and how one might be deployed to the general public.

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UCHE BLACKSTOCK: So right now, we're at about 145 vaccines that are in development; about 21 are in clinical trials. But typically vaccines take several years to research and develop. Like, I think the mumps vaccine took about three to four years. And so this idea of developing a vaccine within less than a year's time but by the end of 2020 is really-- it's quite ambitious.

There are tons of ethical issues when it comes to vaccines, I mean, even starting from the research and development phase. So some of the research is done on cell lines that are actually fetal cell lines, so they're from fetuses, right? And so definitely there are a number of Catholic organizations that have come forward and expressed concern about this. And there may be some Americans that don't want to take a vaccine if it's derived from a fetal cell line.

Then also we know that HeLa cells-- they're cells derived from a black woman who lived in poverty, named Henrietta Lacks. Her cells were taken from her without her informed consent, and companies have made millions, if not billions, of dollars off those cells. And so we know that some of the research and development are also using HeLa cells as well.

And then, even moving into who is going to get the vaccine first, there are ethical issues there, right? So how are you going to prioritize who should get the vaccine first versus who is going to be the last person to get it? When President Trump came out with the Operation Warp Speed, there was some discussion about who would receive priority, but I think that the general consensus is that health care workers will definitely receive first priority as well as nursing home residents and people who are in these sort of congregate settings.

And then probably after that, people who are essential workers or first responders, like firefighters and police officers. And then probably the third group will probably eventually be the general public. The administration has specifically mentioned that they will make the vaccine available to vulnerable populations including populations who aren't able to afford to pay for it out of pocket.

But I think in thinking about these public-private partnerships that a lot of these vaccines are coming out of, I think many of them have made promises about ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the vaccine. Now, we'll see what happens, especially with billionaires, because we saw what happened with testing, that a lot of people that were affluent and politicians were able to get access to testing very early, when many other Americans could not.

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Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham are part of an effort to start a new racing series that will start in 2021 and be broadcast on CBS.

The news of the new series was first reported by the Sports Business Journal on Monday. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion driver and three-time Cup Series champion crew chief are two of four people on the board of the pending Superstar Racing Experience series.

The series has an agreement with CBS to air its six races next summer. The races will be on Saturday nights. NASCAR typically races on Sunday afternoons. From the SBJ:

A television strategy that will fit races into two-hour prime-time windows, presenting a contrast to NASCARs races that can run twice that long.

A focus on driver performance, rather than auto technology. Evernham will design the cars so that everyone races with the same equipment.

It will include racers and crew chiefs who are well known. Each race will have 12 drivers randomly matched with a crew chief.

It will feature racing under the lights at short tracks in the American heartland.

It is being positioned as an easier sale for sponsors that want to buy time on TV and at the event. They make one phone call to be integrated in all aspects of the broadcast and the event, George Pyne said.

Pyne is one of the other two people involved in the project. He used to work for NASCAR and was even its COO before he left early in 2006.

SRX is a series where the cars will be so evenly matched that talent instead of equipment will win the race, Stewart said in an SRX release. The competition will be intense, and thanks to the vision of such strong leaders in the sports and entertainment industry, millions will be able to watch live and in primetime on CBS.

Stewart is a co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series. His team won Sundays race at Kentucky as Cole Custer scored his first career win. Stewart is also the owner of the Eldora Speedway dirt track in Ohio. The track is one of the most famous dirt tracks in the country and hosts the NASCAR Truck Series for an annual event, though the COVID-19 pandemic has canceled it for the 2020 season.

Evernham was Jeff Gordons crew chief throughout the 1990s and the two formed one of the most prolific driver-crew chief pairings in modern NASCAR. He transitioned to the ownership side of NASCAR when Dodge entered NASCAR in 2001 and his Evernham Motorsports team was folded into another team during the 2007 season.

We are looking forward to teaming with Superstar Racing Experience to bring this exciting new auto racing series to CBS in primetime, CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said. This innovative racing series will feature great drivers competing on short tracks and will provide viewers with unique, behind-the-scenes access, bringing fans closer to the action. With the backing from legends in the racing industry, the quality of the drivers and competition, and the atmosphere that short tracks will help to create, the Superstar Racing Experience is a great addition to our live summer sports programming that racing fans will embrace.

Ray Evernham at his 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

While the SBJ story says that the drivers in the series will be well known, none of those potential drivers were identified. It makes sense that drivers who are racing part-time in NASCAR or recently ended their NASCAR careers would be a part of the series. It would be logistically tough for any full-time NASCAR driver to compete in the series.

And its also tough to see how SRX could be a competitor to NASCAR, at least at any point in the short term. Its important to remember the AAF and XFLs forays into spring football. While the coronavirus pandemic shut the XFLs reboot down this spring, neither league was going to come close to rivaling the NFL had they been able to complete their seasons.

Completing its season in 2021 will be a victory for SRX given the current uncertainty in the sports world. And if the season does happen, racing fans will at least have the opportunity to watch more short track racing. That certainly wouldnt be a bad thing.

Nick Brombergis a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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NASCAR Hall of Famers Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham teaming up to launch new racing series in 2021 - Yahoo Sports

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- China is building tens of thousands of 5G base stations every week.Whether it winstechnological dominance or not, domestic supply chains may be revived andallowthe countryto maintain and advance its positionas the factory floor of the world, even as Covid-19 forces a rethink in how globalization is done.

By the end of this year, China will have more thanhalf a million of these towers on its way to agoal of 5 million, a fast climbfrom around 200,000 already in use,enablingfaster communicationfor hundreds of millions of smartphone users. Bycomparison, South Koreahas a nearly 10% penetration rate for 5G usage, the highest globally. The much-smaller countryhad 115,000 such stations operatingas of April.

The towers arepart of a raftof projects that the State Council announced last week to boost industrial innovation underthe New Infrastructure campaignaimed at furthering the deep integration of the Internet of Things and the real economy. With an aim of spending $1.4 trillion by 2025, the aggressive buildup towarda more automated industrial landscapewill give China a renewedadvantagewhere it already dominates: manufacturing.

The coronavirus shut down factories and industrial sectors,triggering a rethink of supply chains away from China. What analysts arecalling peak globalization and the rise of factory automation could shift production to higher-cost countries inNorth America and Southeast Asia. It will take a while, but the global dependence on China will come down, the thinking goes. Still, with trade ravaged by Covid-19, other countries and telecom operators will struggle to match Chinas spending.For China,theres an opportunity toclear the way toforcefully implementits industrial policy agenda, without interference from criticism oversubsidies and unfair competition. The so-calledCentral Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission, headed by President Xi Jinping, has approved a three-year planto givestate-owned enterprises yet more sway in the economy.

Beijings ambitious programs are still in the construction phase. Macro base stations are the nuts and bolts of building out 5G networks, and will exceed their 4G predecessorsby almost 1.5 times. Capital expenditure could peak at $30 billion this year, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts, up from $5 billion last year.Beijing wants more local governments and companies to getinvolved.Each station costs around 500,000 yuan ($71,361) and has a long value chain that includes electrical components, semiconductors, antennaunits and circuit boards. The vast number of companies spawned by the project are all contributing to Chinas push to get ahead.

For the industrial complex, the onset of 5G will enable greater connectivity between machines and much moredata transfer and collection. Fifth-generation technology is expected to have a big impactthrough increasinglyefficient and automated factory equipment, and tracking the movement of inventory and progress of production lines and assets. Manufacturingis expected to account for almost 40% of 5G-enabled industry output, according toBernsteinResearch analysts.

From sensors and data clouds, to chips and collaborative robots and computer-controlled machinery, a whole universe of little-known Chinese companies is coming to the fore. Memory chip maker Gigadevice Semiconductor (Beijing) Inc.has ridden the trend, as has Yonyou Network Technology Co., Chinas version of Salesforce.com Inc. For some of these companies, government subsidies are a significant part of earnings,as my colleague Shuli Ren has noted. Stock prices have surged in recent monthsfor firmslike Shennan Circuits Co., whichmakes printed circuit boards, and Maxscend Microelectronics Co., a manufacturer ofradio frequency chips.Someareseeing their market capitalization values balloon by billions of dollars asBeijing has upped the ante on new infrastructure.

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To be sure, it isnt hard to imagine a hinterland speckled with ghost towers and base stations in coming years as China's propensity to overbuild beyond any reasonable capacitykicks in. The past shows that questions ofquality will arise whentoo many sub-par manufacturers crop up, incentivized bythe states largesse. Nonetheless, thisis the technology of the not-so-distantfuture, and building up thebasic infrastructure isnt misguided.

As Covid-19 absorbs the worlds attention, Beijings steadyfocus on implementing this industrial policy may make Chinathe manufacturer of parts that most countries will need soon. In other words, it will yet again become the factory floor, masteringthe production of all things 5G.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Anjani Trivedi is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Asia. She previously worked for the Wall Street Journal.

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Coca-Cola (KO) has figured out a way to save its highly profitable fountain soda business from becoming extinct at the germy hands of COVID-19.

The solution: QR codes and your smartphone.

Coca-Cola said Monday it has made its popular Freestyle soda machine which could be found at scores of fast-food restaurants such as Wendys and McDonalds and corporate offices completely contactless. By updating the machines software package, a consumer will be able to hold their camera up to the machines display which will auto-scan a QR code. That then connects to the cloud and brings the machines user interface direct to your smartphone. The drinker then selects from the full menu of options and hits pour.

No app download required.

All Coca-Cola beverage dispensers are safe with recommended care and cleaning, said Coca-Cola Freestyle Vice President and General Manager Chris Hellmann in a statement. But in these uncertain times, Coca-Cola is providing consumers a new option a touchless fountain experience. It has been exciting to see our team continue to innovate mostly from home to meet the evolving needs of customers and consumers. Our partners are doing everything they can to maintain a safe and hygienic dining environment, and were doing all we can to provide options for their guests to continue to pour the beverages they want on a platform they love.

New Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.

Released in 2009, the Coke Freestyle machine in many respects revolutionized fountain soda consumption by using technology to unlock almost endless drink options. In life before COVID-19, one would walk up to the Freestyle machine, select a drink by touching the screen and be on your merry way. But that exercise doesnt appear feasible for restaurants and businesses as they reopen from the pandemic touching a public computer screen right now isnt too different from touching a train station toilet seat. In many restaurants, for instance, the fountain machine remains closed.

That has required Coke to figure out a way to reinvent the user experiences so owners of the machines could continue to drive profits. Coke says its software upgrade for the machines which took only a few weeks will be pushed out to 10,000 machines later this summer. All of the Freestyle machines will receive the software upgrade by year end.

Brian Sozziis an editor-at-large and co-anchor ofThe First Tradeat Yahoo Finance. Follow Sozzi on Twitter@BrianSozziand onLinkedIn.

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Two Lysol disinfectant sprays are effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to July 6, 2020 announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Photo: Lysol)

The Environmental Protection Agency has approved two Lysol Disinfectant Sprays that can effectively kill SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in just two minutes, the government agency announced Monday.

Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist are the first two disinfectants to be approved for their ability to kill the virus. In May, the CDC recommended that people clean homes with common EPA-registered household disinfectants, which were expected to kill SARS-CoV-2, harder to kill viruses and other types of coronaviruses. However, the EPAs new announcement names two products that are specifically effective against SARS-CoV-2.

These products are distinct because of how theyve been tested, an EPA spokesperson tells Yahoo Life. As SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, it has only recently become available for laboratory testing. These two products are the first for which EPA has completed its review of laboratory testing data confirming that the products are effective against SARS-CoV-2 when used according to the label directions. The spokesperson adds that users should allow the substance to remain wet on surfaces for two minutes before wiping clean.

EPA is committed to identifying new tools and providing accurate and up-to-date information to help the American public protect themselves and their families from the novel coronavirus, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a joint press release with Lysol manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser. EPA's review of products tested against this virus marks an important milestone in President Trumps all of government approach to fighting the spread of COVID-19."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is mainly spread person-to-person through the transmission of respiratory droplets when individuals are within six feet of one another. Droplets from sneezing, coughing or loud talking can jump into another persons mouth or nose or be inhaled through the lungs. Per the health agency, touching contaminated objects and then touching the mouth, nose or maybe the eyes is a less common route of transmission.

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In addition to cleaning product and hand sanitizer shortages, there is a popular movement to disinfect grocery store packages, prompted by a New England Journal of Medicine study showing that SARS-CoV-2 can linger for hours on surfaces like plastic and cardboard. However, both the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have cited lack of evidence to support transmission in that manner.

A complementary peer-reviewed study commissioned by Reckitt Benckiser and published in the American Journal of Infection Control indicated that Lysol products showed the effectiveness of well-known brands like Lysol products to combat COVID-19, indicating greater than 99.9 percent efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.

The Lysol products are effective at killing SARS-CoV-2 because they contain the active ingredient dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, which breaks open the virus and destroys it, Bill Wuest, Ph.D. an associate professor of chemistry at Emory University, tells Yahoo Life.

As of Tuesday, confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. hit 2,966,409, according to ongoing data by Johns Hopkins University. And according to the New York Times, the World Health Organization announced that airborne transmission of the coronavirus incrowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings, cannot be ruled out.

For thelatest coronavirus news and updates, follow along athttps://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference theCDCs andWHOsresource guides.

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A spike in shootings during the past month and a half continued with 64 shooting victims in Chicago and 28 in New York City over the weekend.

While overall crime is down in both cities, there has been an uptick in gun violence in June and July as compared to the same period in 2019. That uptick comes in the midst of massive protests against police kindled by the death of George Floyd, an African American man killed during his arrest by officers in Minneapolis.

Of the shooting victims in Chicago this weekend, 13 were killed including two children. The same weekend in 2019 saw 41 shooting victims with nine dead. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown has announced the creation of mobile patrol units to increase police presence in various neighborhoods, in an attempt to clamp down on the violence.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last week that the uptick in gun violence could be attributed at least in part to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ecosystem of public safety that isnt just law enforcement but is local, community-based, they too, have really been hit hard by COVID and are now just kind of coming back online and getting their footing, Lightfoot said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, New York City recorded 28 shooting victims over the weekend, with 15 of those shot within a 15-hour period, according to theNew York Post. The victims included a one-year-old boy who was killed after gunfire erupted near a barbecue in Brooklyn.

Much of the spike in shootings in June occurred in 10 specific precincts, NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LiPetri said last week, adding Those communities are being overrun by the small percentage of gang members who have no regard for their own life and absolutely zero regard for the community.

The NYPD also dealt with multiple pro- and anti-police demonstrations over the weekend, some of which descended into scuffles between the two factions.

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Spike in Shootings Continues over the Weekend in Chicago, NYC - Yahoo News

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a fractured right thumb during practice at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida on Sunday, according to The Athletics Shams Charania.

Rondo is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days, and will miss six-to-eight weeks.

The NBAs season is set to resume on July 30 after more than four months off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lakers currently hold a 49-14 record, the best in the Western Conference. Sunday nights practice was just their second since arriving in Florida.

The Lakers are already down Avery Bradley, who opted-out of the season due to the coronavirus. They signed JR Smith to replace him through the end of the year.

Rondo averaged 7.1 points and five assists in 20.5 minutes per game off the bench for the Lakers this season, his 14th in the league. He suffered a right hand injury last season, too, and missed several weeks after tearing a ligament in his right ring finger.

Rajon Rondo suffered a thumb injury during practice on Sunday at Walt Disney World. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

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Victorian Senior Care is calling for pen pals for their elder residents around the country and so far, thousands have answered. (Photo: Victorian Senior Care)

A North Carolina-based nursing home facility is helping its residents connect with people from around the world, all thanks to a viral Facebook post that looked to match its seniors with pen pals who share common interests.

On June 25, Victorian Senior Care, which has several locations in North Carolina, posted on its Facebook page that it was looking for pen pals for residents in its Archdale assisted living and respite care home. The post was shared more than 13,000 times, prompting the senior living facility to seek out more pen pals for residents in its other locations across the state.

In the photos shared on Facebook, seniors are seen holding whiteboards describing their interests and asking for pen pals with similar hobbies to exchange letters with. In a photo, a woman is shown with a sign that reads, My name is Linda. Will you be my pen pal? I like art, music and reading!

In another photo, a man is seen sitting in a chair holding up a sign that reads, My name is Alex. I like guitars and old rock music. Will you be my pen pal?

Countless people have expressed interest in the program on Victorian Senior Cares Facebook page and have offered to send letters as well as gifts.

I crochet blankets for hospitals and nursing homes. I have a few made already, but I'd love to send each one a handmade blanket, one commenter wrote on a post.

Id be willing to write to any of them! This is such a beautiful and amazing gesture! Hopefully it becomes a trend in senior and assisted living places. Bless you all! another wrote.

Meredith Seals, chief operating officer at Victorian Senior Care, tells Yahoo Life that she and her colleagues have been overwhelmed with the response theyve gotten from those looking to participate in the pen pal program.

There are so many people whom have reached out wanting to help, we are trying to respond to everyone quickly but having trouble keeping up. [It] warms my heart that so many people care, she says.

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Seals says that Victorian Senior Care locations have been restricting visitors all of their facilities since March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic and had been looking for creative ways to keep residents spirits up. She estimates that residents have received over 15,000 letters along with items like craft supplies, snacks, stuffed animals, jerseys, books, tablets and more.

Rheeda Walker, a clinical psychologist, tells Yahoo Life that people who are disconnected from family can experience feelings of loneliness and depression, regardless of age.

Overall, the pen pal relationship would be a positive one for a community of seniors, she explains. One would not assume that developing a pen pal relationship would work for everyone, but the overall impact would be meaningful especially in a time of social isolation to know that someone is thinking about you can give an otherwise isolated life a bit more meaning.

Walker adds that pen pal relationships would not only be beneficial for those receiving the letters, but also for the people writing the letters in developing meaningful connections. She also notes that the quality of these relationships is more beneficial than the quantity.

Seals says that the seniors are excited about their new pen pals and hopes the program can continue.

We would like to keep this going as long as we can, she says. Connecting people together is an important part of what we do. Our seniors have incredible experiences to share and we want to help them get their story out.

Those interested in writing residents can visit Victorian Senior Cares Facebook page to find out where to send letters.

For thelatest coronavirus news and updates, follow along athttps://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference theCDCs andWHOsresource guides.

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The enhanced unemployment benefits passed as part of the CARES Act are set to expire at the end of July if Congress doesnt act. A new Yahoo Finance-Harris poll finds the majority of Americans believe the extra $600 per week should be extended past July even though a majority also believes the benefits discourage people from returning to work.

Read more: Coronavirus: How to find a job after a layoff

People wait to speak with representatives from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission about unemployment claims Thursday, July 9, 2020, in Midwest City, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

The poll, conducted between July 2 and July 6, found 58% of the 2,094 respondents surveyed support extending the enhanced benefits into August or longer. Forty-two percent said the benefits should expire at the end of July as scheduled.

People in the Midwest and Northeast are more likely to support letting the benefits expire than people in the South or West. Forty-nine percent of respondents in the Midwest and 46% of respondents in the Northeast support a July expiration, compared to 39% of people in the South and 39% of people in the West, the poll found.

Lawmakers are debating what to do about the benefits as they attempt to pass another coronavirus relief package in the coming weeks. Many Republicans have argued against extending the benefits, saying some workers make more on unemployment than they do at their job, which they say is a disincentive for workers to go back to work.

A Yahoo Finance poll found 58% of respondents support extending enhanced unemployment benefits beyond July.

The new poll shows 34% somewhat agree and 28% strongly agree the enhanced benefits discourage people from returning to work.

People who have received the additional benefits are less likely to see them as a disincentive for work.

Of those polled, 44% currently receiving the extra $600 see the benefit as a discouragement from returning to work compared to 56% of people who previously received the benefit and 64% of people who never did.

Young people are also less likely to see the benefits as a disincentive. Half of respondents between 18 and 34 years old said the benefits are a discouragement, compared to 68% of people between 55 and 64 years old.

Despite those findings, 68% of respondents still said they think the extra $600 per week is beneficial to the U.S. economy.

Democratic lawmakers warn eliminating the boosted benefits would push Americans into poverty and cause more damage to the economy in the long run.

Supercharged unemployment benefits have kept the economy afloat and allowed millions of families to pay the rent and buy groceries, said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in a statement this week.

Of the people surveyed, 107 were receiving the enhanced benefits at the time of the poll. More than half (57%) of that group said they would have to cut back on non-essential spending if the boosted benefits expired. About a quarter (26%) said they would skip paying at least one bill and 20% said they would need to sell belongings for extra income. Eleven percent of respondents said they would lose their home and 6% said they would lose their car.

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A Yahoo Finance-Harris poll found 68% of respondents think the enhanced unemployment benefits help the economy.

Some Republicans have pushed for a back-to-work bonus to encourage workers to get back to their jobs.

I think we need to have something that gets people back to work, but ensures we are taking care of those who really need to help, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said in an interview with Yahoo Finance.

Democratic lawmakers argue the bonus wont help the many workers who cant go back to their jobs if their employer went out of business or if their company is still temporarily shut down.

The Yahoo Finance-Harris poll found 69% of respondents support a return-to-work bonus 67% of those currently on unemployment would be more likely to return to their job if they got a bonus for doing so. Seventy-nine percent of respondents said they would support the U.S. government offering incentives like taxes, grants and low-interest loans to rehire workers.

Jessica Smith is a reporter for Yahoo Finance based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at@JessicaASmith8.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. The Los Angeles Lakers plan to reward guard Avery Bradley, who opted out of the NBAs restart, with a championship ring this season if the franchise is able to capture its 17th NBA title.

"Yes, [Lakers general manager] Rob Pelinka made me aware of the Lakers offering me a ring if they win the championship," Bradley told Yahoo Sports via phone Tuesday afternoon. "Its a very kind gesture on their part."

Bradley opted out of participating in the 2019-20 season resumption at Walt Disney World on June 23 because of health concerns related to his 6-year-old son. Of all the players who have decided to forego the season restart in Orlando, Bradley is the lone player to do so from a legitimate championship contender.

Avery Bradley played a big role for the Lakers this season. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

But he said he has no regrets.

"To be honest, I dont struggle with not being in Orlando," he told Yahoo Sports. "I am at a point in my life where I have learned not to make decisions until I am sure of what I am doing."

The 6-foot-3 defensive specialist averaged 8.6 points and shot 36.4 percent from beyond the arc in 49 games for the Lakers this season. The team has filled his roster spot with shooting guard J.R. Smith.

Bradley has not won a championship in his NBA career.

"In regards to my team, I am positive they will be fine," Bradley told Yahoo Sports. "A championship is meaningful in this league. That energy alone will see them through and I support them."

Even with the absence of Bradley, the LeBron James-led Lakers are the favorites (+250 at BetMGM) to be the last team standing as they get set to resume the season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

And if the Lakers claim the Larry O'Brien Trophy, Bradley will have another tough decision to make.

"Will I accept the ring? Im neither here nor there about it," Bradley told Yahoo Sports. "I am 10 years in this league. The physical possession of a ring doesnt make me feel like more or less of a person. I play basketball strictly for enjoyment and to add to the support of my family. Supporting them is exactly what Im doing right now."

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