- A survey by the Asahi Shimbun found that 83% of respondents opposed hosting the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
- 15,000 athletes and staff from more than 200 countries will gather for two weeks to participate in the competition.
- The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association called for the cancellation of the Olympics in a letter published by Reuters.
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in spite of Protest from its citizens, Rising Covid cases, with The national vaccination rate is only 20%, Japan is advancing and hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics from late July to early September.
According to reports, the contract signed between the country and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2013 only granted the latter the right to cancel the event. BBC analysis Its cancellation clause.
Although the latest Handbook for Participants of Olympic and Paralympic Games Declaring that its safety policy is “based on science and expert advice,” medical experts around the world have warned that the current Covid-19 mitigation plan is not enough to prevent the spread of clusters and may produce new strains.
“Due to the slow rate of vaccination [in Japan], There is a risk of mutated strains originating from Japan,” Kenyu Sumie, president of the Japanese Medical and Dental Association, said in an interview South China Morning Post“When this happens, there is a risk that the mutant strain will spread in Japan, so I think it is impossible to host the Olympic Games safely at this time.”
Security protocols do not adequately protect athletes, staff, or citizens
Participants in Tokyo 2020 can participate or participate without vaccinations.
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published an article on July 1 urging Reassess the IOC’s current Covid-19 mitigation plan“We believe that the determination of the International Olympic Committee to host the Olympics is not supported by the best scientific evidence. The script insists on athletes at their own risk, and at the same time fails to distinguish between the various levels of risk faced by athletes, nor does it recognize the risks faced by athletes. Limitations of measures such as temperature screening and face masks.”
The doctors also urged that weak security protocols will not adequately protect trainers, officials, hotel employees, transportation workers, and volunteers (Many people who have quit smoking), and medical staff who have contracted to take care of severe cases.A kind Spokesperson of St. Luke International Hospital Tell Time Magazine that it has been exposed to coordinate care for the Olympics, but there has been no progress since late June.
Mitigation measures may not be enough to prevent outbreaks and new strains
Many sporting events were held during the pandemic, but the number of coronavirus cases is limited. NEJM attributes the success of these events to strict, informed agreements based on an understanding of the definition of airborne, asymptomatic, and close contacts.
Nevertheless, no matter how much planning is carried out, cases can happen.
Mitigation measures are aimed at minimizing transmission, not eradicating it. According to NEJM, ideal conditions include a single hotel room for athletes, testing at least daily, and wearable technology for contact monitoring, all of which are supported by strict contact tracing.
Although testing will be frequent, athletes will still be at risk. Routine temperature and symptom screening does not help to identify asymptomatic or asymptomatic participants, who may spread the infection before they are found.
Mitigation measures should also be adjusted for each sport, some of which have higher risks due to venue and exposure. However, these countermeasures are not currently outlined in the Olympic Handbook.
Although testing and contract tracking are in place, the IOC encourages rather than requires many countermeasures, and places the responsibility for mitigation on individuals. Although all participants are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing, the International Olympic Committee does not provide them with separate rooms or specific shared spaces (such as cafeterias) for social distancing measures.
View the comparison between NEJM best practices and the current mitigation measures of the International Olympic Committee Here.
Insider has contacted the International Olympic Committee for comments.
