Karl-Anthony Towns refuses to make choices for the people. He believes that people are capable of making their own decisions.
“That’s the beauty of being in this country. That’s the beauty of being in America. You are living the American dream, you have a choice: leave a legacy, succeed, get a chance,” Townes said. “I’m always in favor of giving people a choice because I’m never going to tell someone what to do.”
But he doesn’t hesitate to recommend what he thinks is right. Towns has made an emphasis on recognizing the difference between a recommendation and a demand, but there is no doubt where he lands on the vaccination issue – firmly in the pro camp. This came after he lost several family members, most notably his mother, early in the pandemic, before a vaccine was available. He fought the virus himself twice.
He was fully vaccinated for the second attack, which he described as a much milder case.
“I will always be a supporter of the vaccine,” Towns said. “It has saved a lot of lives in my family and the lives I have lost, we would all like to get a vaccine for them.”
Towns knows his share of people who won’t get a vaccine and is strongly opposed to it. He refuses to disrespect them or their decision. He is still not sure that everyone understands the severity of the pandemic or the virus itself.
“Everyone is so oblivious to things because it hasn’t happened to them, it doesn’t affect them, it doesn’t affect their family, their life,” Townes said. “I just feel like I’ve learned in my life since I was young and especially lately, no one knows until they’ve been through it. Nobody really cares until they’re affected by it.”
Maybe, he thought aloud, that’s why local governments like the city of Minneapolis decided to require patrons in public places like restaurants or arenas to get vaccinated or register a negative COVID-19 test result in order to gain access. This applies to fans attending Target Center for Timberwolves games starting January 30 against Utah.
“I think the city of Minneapolis is doing what it thinks is right for the people,” Towns said. “Legislation and government here should do what is right for the people, and they believe that people who get the vaccine will make everyone healthier and give everyone a chance to get through this pandemic with fewer victims and fewer problems.”
TURNER INJURED
Indiana announced Tuesday that center Miles Turner has a stress reaction in his left foot.
Turner was a potential target of the Minnesota trade. He could fit well next to Townes. But ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Turner is expected to be out before the NBA trade deadline.
This reduces the likelihood of anyone acquiring Turner through a trade between now and the February 10 deadline.
