This Friday marks the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, after a year-long postponement due to the pandemic. At first glance, it seems like a sensible choice to delay the event, allowing the world to regroup and manage COVID-19 better. After all, the goal is to prevent the Olympics from becoming a superspreader event.
However, the reality is that the pandemic is still very much alive. Cases are surging globally, driven by the Delta variant, and vaccination rates remain low in many areas. In Japan, for instance, only 22% of the population is fully vaccinated, and a state of emergency has been declared due to rising infections. Unsurprisingly, only a quarter of Japanese citizens feel comfortable hosting the Olympics. Who can blame them for fearing the influx of athletes and spectators from around the world where the virus is rampant?
What are we thinking? Haven’t we learned that during a global pandemic, certain activities should be put on hold? While the Olympics hold great significance for many, including athletes who have dedicated their lives to this moment, no achievement justifies the risk of spreading a deadly virus further.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is implementing measures to minimize risks, including testing and quarantining. Spectators are not allowed, and a significant majority of athletes are vaccinated. But when athletes and officials gather from across the globe, the risk of transmission is heightened, particularly with the highly contagious Delta variant in play.
Reports indicate that there have already been 71 COVID-19 cases connected to the Olympics, including visitors from abroad. This number is likely to climb, as history has shown with virus outbreaks. Even health experts like Dr. Lisa Tran, director of a prominent health institute, are concerned about the potential for the Olympics to act as a superspreader event.
Navigating a pandemic is undeniably challenging, and we all strive to live our lives as fully as possible. But that doesn’t mean we ignore the seriousness of the situation. Life should focus on essentials: work, mental well-being, and safe interactions. The Olympics are not a necessity.
One has to wonder if the push to proceed with the Olympics, despite the evident risks, is motivated by a need for entertainment rather than public health. As reported, NBC has invested heavily into advertising for the Olympics, with expectations of record profits. This prioritization of profit over lives is troubling.
Imagine if the powers that be had taken a stand for public health, recognizing the ongoing pandemic and the substantial loss of life it has caused. What a difference that could make.
Until then, we can only hope that the Olympics don’t become the feared superspreader event. It’s crucial to remember that protecting lives should always come first.
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