A British medical journal has called for a "global conversation" about how to handle the Tokyo Olympics, which are set to open next month amid the coronavirus pandemic, while criticizing global health organizations for being largely silent on the topic.
In an editorial dated Saturday, The Lancet said the silence by the World Health Organization and other major health bodies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a "deflection of responsibility," as the Olympics and the Paralympics could lead to the virus spreading in Japan and other countries.
The editorial stated that not making vaccinations mandatory and mixing about 15,000 athletes, as well as officials, support staff and journalists, from around the world could seed new outbreaks when the participants return home.