What will people remember 100 years from now of the current pandemic? Statistics might get tossed about, and some details about the virus may stand out. But individual dates and actions will most likely be lost. Some should be preserved, not only for what happened, but also for who took action.

Consider March 11, 2020, and the action taken by Adam Silver, commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Cases of COVID-19 were being identified but mostly overseas. Outbreaks had been documented in America, but they were contained to a few isolated locations. The threat seemed manageable. Local and some state authorities appeared to have the situation under control.  Surely they knew what to do and were already taking steps to protect us.

On March 11, many sports organizations were taking those steps. College basketball tournaments were announcing restrictions on attendance (several were planning on holding games without fans in the building). Champions at the regional level would become entrants in the NCAA tournament. March madness was on the horizon. Brackets were forming.  

And then an NBA player, Rudy Cobert of the Utah Jazz, tested positive for the virus.

Within 30 minutes, Adam Silver shut down the NBA.

Technically, he suspended the season. But since the decision was announced, the only games played were the ones already in progress that night.

Suddenly, the world of professional sports had a model it could not ignore. Adam Silver had upended professional basketball, just as it was approaching the playoffs. A few teams had already qualified; several more were in contention. Fans who had been looking forward to seeing epic contests now had little more than confusion.

The decision rippled out across the sports section of entertainment. Baseball spring training was almost over, the NHL season was coming to a close, NASCAR had just begun its year – all these organizations and more had a benchmark they could not ignore.

Remember, this decision preceded governors imposing restrictions. Many openly questioned the threat from the disease. Less than 50 deaths had been attributed to it. Some suggested the virus was less of an issue than the seasonal flu.

Adam Silver understood this, and he also understood what he had to do.

He knew his decision was going to disrupt lives around the country. He knew this was going to impact not only the players, but also all the support services that made the games possible. And of course the fans would be deprived of their entertainment.

Adam Silver knew all this, and he made the decision anyway.

He became the modern equivalent of Dr. John Snow removing the pump handle to stop a cholera outbreak. He recognized the need to take action, and he took it.

Five weeks later, he has held to his position. The season remains suspended. Revenue has stopped. And no timetable has been established to resume play.

Most states have various levels of restrictions on activities. Some are experimenting with returning to some semblance of normal. Some businesses that have been shuttered for more than a month are being allowed to re-open.

And while politicians display a wide variety of opinions and positions on what is necessary, Adam Silver continues to provide a model of leadership. You don’t need to know anything about basketball to appreciate that.