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I haven't seen anyone address the fact that we have one basketball being handled by as many as 20+ different sets of hands (which have been who knows where) whereupon we (officials) then handle the same ball many times and then grab our whistles with those same hands.
Since I made that observation several years ago, I have since been very careful in how I grab my whistle when replacing it in my mouth. I make sure I grab it by the body of the whistle, being careful not to touch the tip (the part that goes in my mouth). I found it is easiest to do that by using only my thumb and middle finger.
Does it make a difference? I don't know for sure, but after seeing many players over the years coughing, sneezing, not washing their hands after using the restrooms etc.(knowing they have to handle the same ball I do), I feel better taking this extra precaution. FWIW.
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