How Stephen and Ayesha Curry Are Helping Local Kids During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The 2019-20 NBA season has been far from normal for the Golden State Warriors. Between personnel changes and injuries, the club fell to the bottom of the league’s standings; Stephen Curry’s return from a broken hand, however, was supposed to give the fans a bit of optimism for the future. But with the NBA season suspended, the guard and his wife, Ayesha, have been making news in another way.
While fans would rather see Stephen Curry raining down three-pointers right now, he and Ayesha’s current efforts are more important. Together, they’re helping local children during the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBA season is suspended indefinitely
After months on the sidelines with a broken hand, Stephen Curry finally returned to NBA action on March 5. Before he could make another appearance, though, everything changed.
On Wednesday, March 11, a Utah Jazz player—who we learned was Rudy Gobert—tested positive for COVID-19. The Jazz’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was canceled, and, by the end of the night, the NBA had suspended on-court operations.
“The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19,” the league wrote on its official website. “The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.”
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
While the league expected to be stopped for at least 30 days, it now seems like things will stretch much longer. The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended avoiding public gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks; that means games would have to be played behind closed doors if they resume during that timeframe.
Stephen and Ayesha Curry step up to help local kids
While avoiding large gatherings and staying home is the easiest way to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, that plan isn’t perfect. Unfortunately, many children rely on the public school system for meals each day. Stephen and Ayesha Curry, however, are trying to fill the void.
Through their Eat. Learn. Play foundation, the couple is donating to the Alameda County Community Food Bank “to ensure every child has access to the food they need.” The Currys also called on others to pitch in and help others however they could.
Stephen Curry also used his celebrity status to encourage his followers to practice social distancing as much as possible. “We can all come together collectively to stop the spread of this virus,” he explained in another tweet.
Stephen Curry isn’t the only NBA player pitching in
While we’d all rather see NBA players shining on the court than making public service announcements, that’s the world we’re currently dealing with. Thankfully, Stephen Curry isn’t the only one using his status to help others.
Players like Zion Williamson and Giannis Antetokounmpo are donating money to help arena employees who have suddenly lost their primary source of income. Some teams, like the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors, are collectively doing the same. Rudy Gobert is also donating to coronavirus relief efforts in Utah, Oklahoma City, and France.
It goes without saying that this situation is far from ideal for everyone. As Stephen and Ayesha Curry said, though, we can all get through it by working together.
