Golf: Bryson DeChambeau remains unvaccinated despite his recent battle with Covid-19
Memphis, Tennessee - PGA star Bryson DeChambeau made headlines recently when he missed a chance to participate in the Tokyo Olympic Games, due to testing positive for Covid-19.
According to his own accounts, as he revealed to ESPN, DeChambeau (27) was not able even to travel to Japan when he tested positive on July 23, as part of Olympic coronavirus testing protocols.
"They didn't think it was a false positive," he said. "I didn't feel anything for two days. All of a sudden, started to feel tired."
DeChambeau was not vaccinated prior to contracting the virus and is not currently vaccinated either. He admits that he feels no regret for not inoculating himself, but his reasoning doesn’t seem to be as polarizing as other athletes’ rationales seem to be.
Claiming "the vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent [Covid] from happening," he said he’d "rather give [the vaccine] to people who need it. I don't need it. I'm a healthy, young individual that will continue to work on my health."
He just recently returned to golfing at a small pro-am event at TPC Southwind on Wednesday. After finishing, he spoke of his parents as examples of him not getting the vaccine: "My dad is a perfect example. He got it [the vaccine] early on because he's a diabetic. People like that need to get it. My mom got it. I don't want to take away that ability."
On the surface, this point of view might seem more accommodating than ignorant, but it also seems a little too late with its timing, as the CDC has said there is no shortage of vaccines in the US.
While DeChambeau might mean well, being so "gracious" is practically a moot point by now
Despite having just gotten over the virus, DeChambeau can still receive a shot to protect himself.
With the vaccine available in the United States as long as it has been this year, it seems there’s now no substantial reason for someone not to get vaccinated (if they fall in the demographics who can have one) unless they simply don’t want one.
Even the most vulnerable adults, some of whom were among the first in line for a shot, have had ample opportunity for a jab unless they all-out refused.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released consistent reports that there are no vaccine shortages in the US, so no one who’s eligible can say that there aren't enough available.
The CDC also reported this week that unvaccinated people account for more than 90% of Covid-19 cases in the US, including more than 95% of hospitalizations and deaths.
In a rather indifferent manner, DeChambeau somewhat threw away the severity of catching the virus, saying to reporters, "It was bound to happen...The odds are you get tested enough, you travel around, it's going to happen."
DeChambeau is set to appear back on the tour at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational this week.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Action Plus