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The world is still in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while vaccines offer hope, we’re a long way from returning to normal. Once the vaccine was developed, sporting groups like the NHL considered paying privately to vaccinate athletes and staff — and this was met with instantaneous disapproval. But with the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for this summer, should we consider allowing athletes to jump the vaccine queue? The answer isn’t straightforward. In addition to the billions of dollars, infrastructure and employment generated by global sports, sporting events have the ability to bring communities back together after an extended period of social isolation and physical distancing. The implications are many, complex and large.
Today in The Conversation Canada, Kathleen Rodenburg, Ann Pegoraro and Lianne Foti from the University of Guelph suggest that to make this decision, decision-makers should look at the ethics of what it would mean to vaccinate athletes. When making that decision, they’ll need to take into account that some athletes have publicly spoken out about not wanting to be vaccinated ahead of frontline workers and other vulnerable populations. They’ll have to consider that despite the potential of the Olympics to bring people together, they would be held
in Tokyo, which is still in the throes of the ongoing pandemic.
Also today:
Regards,
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Canadian athlete Finn Wakeling of the whitewater slalom team member is among those training in anticipation of the Tokyo Olympics.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel
Kathleen Rodenburg, University of Guelph; Ann Pegoraro, University of Guelph; Lianne Foti, University of Guelph
As COVID-19 vaccines roll out, a debate about whether athletes should be prioritized over more vulnerable populations has emerged.
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The U.S. National Guard are seen surrounding the U.S. Capitol a week after Donald Trump supporters raided it.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnick)
Paul R. Carr, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO); Gina Thésée, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
The U.S. illustrates this week that changing a nation's leader without rethinking the system he or she is upholding is no longer acceptable for citizens. We need an improved form of democracy.
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Global fossil fuel emissions dropped by about seven per cent in 2020 compared with 2019. But a rebound is likely to occur when lockdowns ease up unless COVID-19 recovery packages focus on ‘green recovery.’
(AP Photo/Michael Probst)
H. Damon Matthews, Concordia University; Kasia Tokarska, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Several countries have made pledges to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to zero by mid-century. But new research finds the remaining carbon budget will be depleted before we get there.
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Through creativity, children make sense of the world.
(Dragos Gontariu/Unsplash)
Nikki Martyn, University of Guelph-Humber
Art can be a way to promote and support mental health in children, and understanding children's experiences through the pandemic as seen through children's art may help support them into the future.
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L’expérience des derniers mois souligne les problèmes du télétravail : ce sont principalement les femmes qui y ont recours et qui jonglent avec le travail à la maison et la famille depuis le début de la pandémie et quand les écoles et garderies sont fermées. Ce vécu limite leur progression professionnelle et leur bien-être.
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Louise Champoux-Paillé, Concordia University; Claudine Mangen, Concordia University
La pandémie a mis un frein à 30 ans d’amélioration de la participation des femmes au marché du travail. Ce constat est inquiétant, car il nuit à la relève féminine dans les postes de direction.
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COVID-19
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Trish Greenhalgh, University of Oxford
We should be thinking about airborne transmission of coronavirus.
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Science + Technology
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Michael Cowling, CQUniversity Australia
We are in a world where so-called smart devices can expire after just a few years so you have to upgrade to the latest model.
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