Staff walk in an empty departure terminal at Narita International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
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Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

138 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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It may be too little, too late.

Is this debatable?

36 ( +43 / -7 )

This is par for the course for J-Gov.

36 ( +40 / -4 )

Looks?!?....

“Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late” -

35 ( +39 / -4 )

Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

It was looking too late 3 months ago. Is this news?

45 ( +49 / -4 )

This is just normal business for Japan! Only one speed in Japan...S L O W. Sorry my comment took so long. I had to send a fax to Japan Today to have them post my comment for me.

45 ( +50 / -5 )

Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

Even without olympic they need to speed up vaccines roll out, people live shouldn't be depend on whether olympics happen or not.

35 ( +36 / -1 )

It's kind of semantics at this point. Yes, the last year of SOEs and Abe masks was stupid.

But that's water under the bridge.

If they have finally figured out they need to vaccinate, then I say, "dozo".

Let the vaccinations begin!

7 ( +16 / -9 )

if, for instance, the boiling Japanese summer causes widespread cases of heat stroke.

Sigh. Remember two years ago when we all thought this was going to be the big health issue at the Olympics? Those were the good old days.

29 ( +32 / -3 )

Yes, this article is expected, to counter the optimism brought by the past days' news regarding vaccinations.

Looks written way before, released too late though.

More than three months into Japan's vaccination campaign, only 2.7% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

Ever feel like you’re reading the same story day after day?!

29 ( +30 / -1 )

Kinda fascinating to see how quickly the virus mutates, always staying one step ahead. I had it, and it was not fun - but I'm relatively young (57) and healthy. I can imagine how it would kill a more elderly, not so healthy person.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Still living in their own little world and waiting for wonders to happen.

It is called being in denial, and mentally incompetant.

21 ( +21 / -0 )

The daily “Olympic news” brainwash.

Enough of that crap.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Many people already said before. Many people already repeated but j-,gov doesn't consider it serious untill it is a little too late.

Sorry but what level of iq or common sense does the j-,gov has?

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Vaccine was available in late Nov. 2020 and administered as early as Dec. 8th. 2020

It took Japan 2 and half months to start the vaccination medical staff about Mid Feb.

I took three and half months to to START vaccinating the elderly 65 and over.

then it took them 2 weeks to realize that Mission Impossible is what it is.

I feel helpless and astonished at the pace the people move, it is a clear proof that they JUST DON"T CARE.

23 ( +27 / -4 )

That's the realization sinking in as Japan scrambles to catch up on a frustratingly slow vaccination drive less than two months before the Summer Olympics, delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, are scheduled to start.

Pure drivel. We've been saying this here for months. The 'realization' sunk in when vaccines arrived and were dumped into cold storage, instead of being used.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

What a 100% massive screw up! The government took too long to approve the vaccine. Knowing they were having the Olympics you would have thought Japan would have approved the vaccine sooner. Rather than being one of the last countries to approve it. It will be a long time before Japan will be awarded a big event in the future.

21 ( +22 / -1 )

For gods sake! They had an extra year to prepare and instead focussed on stupid mini masks made by dubious friends of ABE, partial lockdowns, bumbling about sending appointment letters to people then canceling the appointments. Watching the Medical system breakdown, people dying at home in rest homes. No track and trace because the government appointed (friends again) of the government failed dismally again. Go to travel? Honestly could you think of any other government that has focussed on itself more than this group of old men? The best organised Olympics ever? Last week they realised Olympic athletes with air rifles were going to break the law. Absolute idiocy on every level. Swimming in toxic Tokyo bay, stupid heat/Humidity the marathon had to be moved? Mind you they did suggest businesses on the rout crank up their AC open their doors before moving it to Sapporo. And they got an extra year to organise this sports day?

25 ( +26 / -1 )

I can't even begin to imagine what the vaccination speed rate would be if we didn't have the Olympics.

26 ( +27 / -1 )

Kono, the vaccine minister, said more large-scale inoculation centers are getting underway, including at hundreds of college campuses and offices to start vaccinating younger people from June 21.

Yes !!!! So proud to be a Gaijin today !

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Trust in the vaccine is at an all time low. Nobody trusts or believes in anything coming from Pharma companies and the government approval agencies that work for them.

-28 ( +5 / -33 )

A friend of mine went and got his first shot a couple of day ago, I spoke to him, doing great.

He noted that at the hospital he went to that there was ONLY ONE nurse giving the shots One Doctor, and 7 other nurses handling Paper work and directing traffic of about 20 people.

24 ( +24 / -0 )

Kono, the vaccine minister, said more large-scale inoculation centers are getting underway, including at hundreds of college campuses and offices to start vaccinating younger people from June 21

Like I said in an other article here this morning,

My boss told me yesterday, that our company will organize the Covid vaccine for all our employes at the company.

But he said that it takes time.

With a little luck I can get my 1st shot beginning of August and 2nd shot three weeks later.

He said that probably I will be full vaccinated beginning of September, and my international business trips can resume by end of the year.

That is absolutely fine for me.

Also my parents in law will get their first shot I guess next week.

But at a hospital close where they live.

Things are starting to roll.

Still slow, but at least there is some moving.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Trust in the vaccine is at an all time low. 

You apparently live in an alternate reality. The vast majority of people want to get vaccinated asap.

24 ( +28 / -4 )

Too little, too late.

The motto for Japanese bureaucracy, politics and social reforms.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

Also comes with the standard misinformation:

 the Asahi Shimbun - the country's second-largest newspaper - has called for them to be canceled,

Asahi shimbun called for the Olympics to be postponed, not cancelled

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

EDITORIAL: Prime Minister Suga, please call off the Olympics this summer

http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/14357907

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Devote all national medical resources to rapid vaccination. Period.

That means scrapping this rubbish, resource-draining and disaster plagued event starting in July.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

To both never learn and never quit is ridiculous. The Tokyo variant is inevitable unless the games are cancelled

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Ya think!?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

By using a new weapon called vaccines and taking firm preventive measures, it is fully possible

A "new weapon called vaccines"????

Does Suga not realise that vaccines have been used since 1796?

15 ( +15 / -0 )

‘By using a new weapon called vaccines and taking firm preventive measures, it is fully possible" to hold the Olympics safely.’

Vaccines are hardly a ‘new weapon’. He explains it as though he’s talking to a bunch of kids. If it’s ‘fully possibly’, then why have all the local festivals been cancelled?

This idiot is going to hospitalize thousands of people.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

This is repeated new. It has been already said vaccine are late. This will not stop the Olympics from happening

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Ian, you said that the Asahi Shinbun called for it to be postponed not cancelled, but here’s their headline, “Prime Minister Suga, please call off the Olympics this summer”. Call off, not postpone.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

"By using a new weapon called vaccines and taking firm preventive measures, it is fully possible" to hold the Olympics safely, Suga told a parliamentary session Tuesday.

This "new weapon" was available to Japan 6 months ago, bro.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I’m in no rush to get vaccinated and rather be the last one in line for many reasons

-14 ( +5 / -19 )

Close coordination among primary care doctors, hospitals and residents, as well as flexibility, have contributed to smooth progress, Sumida district spokesperson Yosuke Yatabe said.

At least Sumida has got it right.

There is no "shortage" of doctors and nurses here - just a shortage of brains and leadership.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I think they forgot it takes 60 days for it to take effect, Japan has missed the boat.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Yes, Newgirlintown, that's the headline. I posted that headline and link right after /below the first post

0 ( +3 / -3 )

A couple of days ago received my invitation for my annual health check. Surly things like this can be delayed for 6 months or so and give vaccine jabs instead.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Devote all national medical resources to rapid vaccination. Period.

That will kill a lot of people.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

@phil,

My wife is alive now because her cancer was detected early when it was still treatable at her annual health check.

Annual health checks save many many lives every year.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The Japanese mind set is not the same as the west. Hence, the tragedy you see unfolding before you in Japan.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Because I cannot believe an adult can be so incompetent . I wonder if all this delay is from some LDP playbook. There is just no clear reason to be so stupid

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Better late than never.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Many say they have no extra resources to help with the Olympics, if, for instance, the boiling Japanese summer causes widespread cases of heat stroke.

’if’? It has happened every summer for the past decade. It’s going to happen again. People die from this, fast treatment is vital.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

My local health department did not communicate very well with us here in the States, but people were able to figure it out through word of mouth. Or in my case, I e-mailed and telephoned with live people because the automated system was a mess.

Get aggressive about it. They are supposed to have the vaccine waiting for you, but they really do not care. You have to fight for it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Asahi shimbun called for the Olympics to be postponed, not cancelled

Read the editorial you posted a link to. There was nothing about postponing.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Because I cannot believe an adult can be so incompetent . I wonder if all this delay is from some LDP playbook. There is just no clear reason to be so stupid

Hanlon's razor, ineptitude knows no bounds.

People with experience with the Japanese way to deal with new drugs and vaccines (except for viagra of course) expected at least this much delay from the moment the pandemic turned into serious business, this is just the latest example where huge delays ended up costing many lives.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

We never got this clarified @virusrex 8:49am. Do You know?:

- @Goodlucktoyou 9:37am - “Not to mention the fact that SAR-CoV-2 can transmit via tobacco aerosol up to 8 meters...” - What!? Does this include ‘vaping’ ? @Goodlucktoyou 9:37am - Interesting but do you have a link citing that ‘fact’?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The Olympic is a sign of besting this insidious virus. We will have the safe Olympic :)

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

J-Gov - par for the course - a day late and a dollar short...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

''By using a new weapon called vaccines...'' -Suga

Hahahaha!

Astonished by medical science P.M. Suga comes dragging his knuckles out of the medieval cave he's been dwelling in and opens his eyes to a brave new world!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

For Japan? Not really.

Many people start to actually work in offices, AFTER their shift has ended, to appear to be diligent.

Disaster relief plans are discussed, AFTER they happen, never in an anticipating manner.

People become fans of athletes only AFTER they win something major. Check Nishikori Kei, Naomi Osaka, or that golfer who recently won, but I can’t remember his name. That swimmer from the Olympics, too.

A lot of monkey see monkey do crimes or social media ignorance copied AFTER they see it done by other people. Tik tok is huge on this.

Movies come out about 6 months to a year AFTER they become hits worldwide.

So Japan making vaccine moves, AFTER it’s too late? Seems about right.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Laguna,

Sorry you got sick. So glad you recovered. I have been lucky so far.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

We never got this clarified @virusrex 8:49am. Do You know?:

if I may.

An aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles and/or liquid droplets in a gas (usually air). 

We know that the virus can attach to particles and can travel three, four, or five times farther than they would by simply being in the air

So yes ! Both, smoking and vaping can help the virus travel longer distances.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Couldn't help but crack a smile at how obvious the title is.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

despite earlier expectations of a hesitant response to vaccines in general, senior citizens fearful of the virus are rushing to inoculation sites.

So basically all those claiming that the low vaccination rate was because people didn't want or were scared to get vaccinated were wrong and the real reason was/is because of poor organisation an availability.

This mirrors what has/is happening in my home country and province where the pundits and fear mongers went on about AZ and people not wanting it. The provincial government gave out AZ to as many places as possible and told the people anyone that wall willing could get AZ Vaccine by just walking in no spoilers the other Vaccines needed to wait for appointments.

Results are over 70% of the population not has at least one shot. Which shows the people are listening to the actual experts and not the fear news/pundits.

Japan should let the people decide, give out the millions of doses of AZ to any clinic or doctor's office willing to do vaccinations no appointments needed, I suspect the demand will quickly outpace supply in short order.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

but my turn won't come until later this summer

No no, I think you mean next summer.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

despite earlier expectations of a hesitant response to vaccines in general, senior citizens fearful of the virus are rushing to inoculation sites.

So basically all those claiming that the low vaccination rate was because people didn't want or were scared to get vaccinated were wrong and the real reason was/is because of poor organisation an availability.

This mirrors what has/is happening in my home country and province where the pundits and fear mongers went on about AZ and people not wanting it. The provincial government gave out AZ to as many places as possible and told the people anyone that wanted could get AZ Vaccine by just walking in, no appointment needed. The other Vaccines needed to wait for appointments.

Results are over 70% of the population now has at least one shot. Which shows the people are listening to the actual experts and not the fear news/pundits.

Japan should let the people decide, give out the millions of doses of AZ to any clinic or doctor's office willing to do vaccinations no appointments needed, I suspect the demand will quickly outpace supply in short order.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Read the editorial you posted a link to. There was nothing about postponing.

You missing it doesn't mean it's not there.

Was cancellation there?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

We don't have any rooms for people to come to Japan for the Olympics to get vaccinated. Please realize,, Suga-san. The health care workers said, "We don't have any bed for athletes". That's enough. STOP IT ASAP.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

snowymountainhellToday  06:45 am JST

*“Looks” *?!?....

“Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late” -

A Major Duh Factor for sure. How about 'Too little too late.'. Now will they listen to the japanese doctors and public? Call the Games off until next year!

>

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Any idiot could see this coming.

What is it with the LDP? It's as if they don't give a damn for anyone or anything except for themselves and their wallets.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@Oxycodin,

That’s fine, no one be will force you to take the vaccine.

If you don’t take it, you might get sick and might never be able to leave Japan but it’s up to you.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

It takes 35 days to receive two Phizer shots and reach full "immunity" if it's done as fast as possible. Everyone needs to start by the end of June to even be close to reaching "immunity" by the start of the Olympics. Japan has not brought itself to the realization that they don't have to worry about people who are fully vaccinated. An Australian Olympic team (every member fully vaccinated) has arrived in Japan for practice. They are being treated as potentially infected foreigners and isolated, tested daily, and "allowed" to practice out of obligation. Having fully vaccinated people come into your community actually lowers your risk of getting infected. Hey, maybe Japan should vaccinate its own people(?)

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

By using a new weapon called vaccines and taking firm preventive measures, it is fully possible

Smallpox vaccination was described in the Indian Rig Veda thousands of years ago!

As well as sterilisation of surgical instruments, and the use of anaethesia, long before the 'Western World'.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Meanwhile back in my home country every member of my family over 16 has had at least their first shot all those over 65 have had both shots and this despite early on having serious supply Problems due to EU exports rules.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

We know that the virus can attach to particles and can travel three, four, or five times farther than they would by simply being in the air

So yes ! Both, smoking and vaping can help the virus travel longer distances.

Not only can smoking and vaping help virus travel long distances, they actually enable/facilitate it because smokers and vapers remove their masks before they can smoke or vape

3 ( +4 / -1 )

My local doctor has said his mostly elderly patients are ready and willing to take any Vaccine offered right now.

Every year he gives over 500 influenza vaccines just to his elderly patients this includes providing house calls.

If he has provided with the no freezer needed AZ vaccine he claims he could Vaccinate about 500 people in the first week.

500 doesn't sound like much but considering that there are thousands of local doctors and small clinics that do the same thing he does this would speed up things very fast.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan has not brought itself to the realization that they don't have to worry about people who are fully vaccinated. An Australian Olympic team (every member fully vaccinated) has arrived in Japan for practice. They are being treated as potentially infected foreigners and isolated, tested daily, and "allowed" to practice out of obligation. Having fully vaccinated people come into your community actually lowers your risk of getting infected

Sure but ... You have to trust that the vaccines Australia said it used 100% work as predicted for everyone on the team.

This is a bit problematic because no one in Japan is vaccinated.

So if you have 90.000 allegedly vaccinated participants in the Olympics a 1000 of them might still catch the virus in their own country and depending on incubation lenght they might bring it here just in time to transfer it to the team bus driver who is a local and likely asymptomatic who will go home kiss his children good night which in turn will kill few of their school friends un-vaccinated or sick relatives

So isolation and multiple PCR test is a must !

Hey, maybe Japan should vaccinate its own people(?)

Yep ! They should ! We are all saying postpone the Olympics because it adds unnecessary complexity to an already complex problem.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I’m in no rush to get vaccinated and rather be the last one in line for many reasons

Nah, you won't be last in line, because I'll be behind you... (walking away)

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

I’m in no rush to get vaccinated and rather be the last one in line for many reasons

Nah, you won't be last in line, because I'll be behind you... (walking away)

Good luck. I mean that.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

They were looking for 5 stars hospitals with Qualified doctors and nurses to inoculate 100 millions of people ... it is like a dream with only few thousands per day .. another decade to lose in Reiwa ... after 3 Heisei lost decades in economy.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Of course it is MUCH to little, MUCH to late.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

9 fully-vaccinated members of the New York Yankees recently tested positive for Covid. The science also seems unclear on the likelihood of vaccinated people spreading to unvaccinated but seems plausible. Given Japan’s low rate of vaccination I wouldn’t rest easy just because some athletes will be vaccinated before arriving.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I’m in no rush to get vaccinated and rather be the last one in line for many reasons

Nah, you won't be last in line, because I'll be behind you... (walking away)

Sounds like what my friend parent's from Morocco said when the Polio Vaccine was first available and refused to vaccinate their children.

Saying the chances of getting Polio were low, the vaccine was new, etc...

Today that friend has Polio paralysis and is permanently disabled.

You can take a guess that he was very quick to run out and get his covid Vaccine as soon as it was available.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

You missing it doesn't mean it's not there.

Was cancellation there?

Several times. Including the headline. It’s the whole point of the editorial if you think about it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Better commission a panel of experts to verify if it is too late or not.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan's vaccine push ahead of Olympics looks to be too late

Gee - d'ya think?

In other news: Pope Francis looks to have Catholic tendencies.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Yes, this article is expected, to counter the optimism brought by the past days' news regarding vaccinations.

Looks written way before, released too late though.

More than three months into Japan's vaccination campaign, only 2.7% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

Not sure where you get the "written before" part.

If you are referring to the

only 2.7% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

That is 100% correct!

It clearly says "fully vaccinated" and that is the official number.

If you are looking for the at least one dose then that would be just over 5%.

So 2.7% was the number as of the time this article was written and published.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Perhaps the government should be handed over to some corporate CEOs to run for a while.

To late in getting help to the people affected by the pandemic.

To late getting help to businesses affected.

To late testing.

To late with vaccination.

If I order a car in Japan or need a car part the company says it will be ready on Monday at 10:00 I know it will be ready on Monday at 10:00 not 10:05 not Tuesday or a week later.

Let the Japanese with actual capability to run things on time take over and watch things move faster.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Someone can have my shot, and all the booster shots that will inevitably follow. Not taking this experimental gene therapy.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Suga had promised a safe and secure Olympics. Rest assure though, Tokyo 2020 Covid strain is on its way.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Someone can have my shot, and all the booster shots that will inevitably follow. Not taking this experimental gene therapy.

Well good luck with that, especially if you plan on ever leaving or entering Japan in the future.

Vaccination card ( AKA passport) is on it's way back into fashion as they were when I was younger.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

That photo is the definition of this crazy Olympic games, and could well be its epitaph,.

The fools that call the shots, will intimately bring this crazy train to ground zero.

Billions thrown at what?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ultimately.......sorry

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not taking this experimental gene therapy.

You apparently have no idea what this vaccine is, or what "gene therapy" is. Please educate yourself:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Several times. Including the headline. It’s the whole point of the editorial if you think about it.

If they want it cancelled no one needs to think about it, theyll say they want it cancelled.

And withdrawing their sponsorship will really cement the intent

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

All officials deliberately refuse to accept the truth about something unpleasant is approaching. Don't be an ostrich and bury your head in the sand, hoping your problems will disappear. Stop the Olympics and focus your energy on inoculation centers and mitigation measures!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So 2.7% was the number as of the time this article was written and published.

I'll look into it, thank you for pointing that out but I'd rather that others would have done so because I always try to answer when others quote/reply to/ask me directly and I really dont feel like it's productive to discuss things with you anymore.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Many experts had pointed that extensive vaccination will be very difficult.

But Suga government only expect optimistic scenario as same as previous Abe government, neglected enough preparation.

Suga government thinks to can overwrite innumerable misstep and over 10000 victim until now by vaccination.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A partial list of COVID-19 vaccine deaths and injuries, as of May 14, 2021:

https://cuttingthroughthefogcom.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/evidence-of-injury-mwm-1.pdf

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

A partial list of COVID-19 vaccine deaths and injuries, as of May 14, 2021:

https://cuttingthroughthefogcom.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/evidence-of-injury-mwm-1.pdf

Um, you trust an article hosted on a free wordpress site?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

And withdrawing their sponsorship will really cement the intent

This is a bit of a red herring.

The sponsorship money has already been paid and if any is still left to be paid contractual agreements make that it will still need to be paid.

The simple fact a sponsor with money at take is coming out in favour of not holding the games is far more significant than a non sponsor that will just be seen as sour grapes from someone not involved.

Saying they are sponsors pointing out that fact and saying the games should not be held makes that statement far more important!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I need to quote the above paragraph in full. "The Olympics risk becoming an incubator for "a Tokyo variant," as 15,000 foreign athletes and tens of thousands officials, sponsors and journalists from about 200 countries descend on - and potentially mix with - a largely unvaccinated Japanese population, said Dr. Naoto Ueyama, a physician, head of the Japan Doctors Union."

Who is the greatest danger to whom? Is the vaccinated foreigners who will invariably commingle with the Japanese or the unvaccinated Japanese? I say that anyone who is unvaccinated is a potential carrier. This would likely be okay if everyone kept their masks on avoided dangerous activities like eating and drinking together. But it won't happen. And there is something bigger than that. Olympic Sex.

The only time the Olympians cooled it was during the AIDS scare of the 1980s. We'll see if the Olympians cool it. Meanwhile, there will thousands of others who likely will mess around. It's a good time not to go to Tokyo.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It seems to me Tokyo Olympics will be held whatever happens even if China invaded the Senkaku Islands and battle started. Japan is deeply obsessed by Olympics.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@ian

No problem I figured that small detail had been missed by most.

World tracker has 2.7% fully vaccinated and 5.1% with at least one shot ( this includes the 2.7%) .

It can get confusing when each writer uses a different reference.

They should all stick with both numbers the fully vaccinated and the total of Vaccinated including at least one shot.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A partial list of COVID-19 vaccine deaths and injuries, as of May 14, 2021:

From a wesbite promoting laughably ridiculous conspiracies.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Not to forget that those fast mass vaccinations are of course also a super spreading event in itself, as all people at the same time rush to and are gathered at the vaccination spots and immunity comes only weeks later and only at approximately 80% efficacy.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Um, you trust an article hosted on a free wordpress site?

I think the blog’s ‘About’ page tells you everything you need to know regarding where the author is coming from.

https://cuttingthroughthefog.com/about/

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Antiquesaving

Saying they are sponsors pointing out that fact and saying the games should not be held makes that statement far more important!

With all due respect, saying they are withdrawing their sponsorship is the loudest they can ever say it

As the article was written, they just want to score points with readers and want to blunt the fact that they are a supporter of the olympics

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The J&J vaccine is 1 shot and claims effectiveness 2 weeks later, though much lower than for the mRNA vaccines.

The mRNA are dosed as 2 shots and need at least either 21 or 28 days between the first and the second shot for both OR up to 42 days after the 1st shot for both. Those are the guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/second-shot.html

The AstraZeneca covid shot recommendation is 2 shots with a 8-12 week delay between the 1st and 2nd. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know

So, if J-Gov is giving out J&J vaccines from the 2nd week of July on, then many more people could be fully vaccinated.

But 80M? Probably not. 10M would be nice.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The government spent time planning Go to Travel, Go to Eat and on distributing 2 masks. When the important challenge comes, they lay a fart.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ryuichiro Suzuki, a 21-year-old university student in Tokyo, said he is frustrated with Japan's lagging vaccination campaign.

"I saw that some of my friends overseas have been vaccinated, but my turn won't come until later this summer," he said. "The risk-averse government took extra caution even when our primary goal was to get back to normal as soon as possible."

And you young man, we are all hoping, will be the generation that finally sees that the ball has been dropped, time and time again, by a self serving and next to useless gerontocracy. It will be your job to bravely say, “No more, enough is enough” ,spring into action , fight the inevitable kickback by the old stubborn and spiteful power base and reform the country back to functionality. Your mission should you chose to accept!

Everything has to change or Japan will slip into irrelevancy, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Such a rich, hard working and generally well meaning country should never have let this happen. The dangers of apathy and expediency revealed.

COVID-19 can be this catalyst for massive cultural change. Everyone should play their part because the region is going to need a strong and able Japan in the near future. I’m still a believer this can happen, but it will take a tsunami of Suzukis to make it happen and the old guard will also have to allow it to happen. Will it?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

So they admit things are improving, but still decided to spin it in a negative light. Pretty much sums up the media.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

As a sporting event, the Olympics are going to be pointless and meaningless. Receiving your gold medal in a cavernous, empty, silent staduum? What's the point? No one is talking about the 'sport'. Anyone who watches it on TV is just going to be thinking about Covid and how they wish all these people were not here.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The International Olympic Committee says more than 80% of athletes and staff staying in the Olympic Village on Tokyo Bay will be vaccinated - and they are expected to remain largely in a bubble at the village and venues.

Approx. 90,000 people total are coming...the Olympic Village will house about 12,000 of that number. Hopefully the above was just bad reporting or a poor choice of words.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For the individuals arguing about the editorial in the Asahi Shimbun:

We demand that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga evaluate the situation calmly and objectively, and decide against holding the Olympics and Paralympics this summer.

For those asserting the vaccine was available in 2020. Production had not been ramped-up and adequate supplies were not available until 2021. Atop that, the USA, exercised its power and sequestered large amounts of the vaccine as it became available - same with various EU nations.

Excluding China & India, Japan is the seventh largest country by population.

Amongst the G-8 countries in The West: only the USA and Russia are larger by population. Russia only slightly so. Germany 80 million. France 65 million. Italy 62 million. Canada 25 million. Those. countries have smaller population. Essentially 50% less. Canada, has a population which is only 20% of Japan. A large factor in inoculating and immunizing the citizenry.

Obtaining sufficient amounts of vaccine when manufacture was limited prevented immunization. Contracts were executed with several pharmaceutical enterprises. Those vaccines have begun to arrive and adequate amounts will be in place by early summertime.

All of which should have been taken into account when determining the fate of the Olympics.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If it’s ‘fully possibly’, then why have all the local festivals been cancelled?

Not sure what part of Japan you're in but I can happily report that construction has begun on the summer cabanas and vendor booths at the beach area where we live. This obviously didn't happen last year and this one thing has increased my optimism of this whole situation by 100%!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"That's the realization sinking in..........".

I don't know how about you, but I want to meet the person, who woke up, let's say this week or last week (you get the idea) and realized it's too late. What a bright mind!

Anyway, this calls for another round of meetings, researching, looking into things and faxing excel reports.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Spirit of the Games. What does it mean now? You lose the Spirit, you may as well lose the Games.

Sorry, I’m not a down guy. But these Games have lost their mojo for me. They are making people unhappy and fighting . Bad Spirit.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

because Japan required additional clinical testing here, a step many experts say was medically meaningless.

Medically it’s meaningless but presumably this regulation exists to protect vested interests in Japan.

Of course it should be gotten rid of, but the same could be said for most of the things that government does, which could be left over to us free thinking people.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They'll be up to around 50-60m I'd say by the Olympics which is definitely a good start, but if they hadn't dithered, they'd have mostly completed their rollout by then.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Judging it finely, here folks, just judging it mighty finely.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We demand that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga evaluate the situation calmly and objectively, and decide against holding the Olympics and Paralympics this summer.

Thank you for providing this quote from the editorial

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If they want it cancelled no one needs to think about it, theyll say they want it cancelled.

Maybe English isn’t your first language and you misunderstood the meaning of “call off”. Whatever the reason claims about ‘misinformation’ are more than a little misleading.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe English isn’t your first language and you misunderstood the meaning of “call off”. Whatever the reason claims about ‘misinformation’ are more than a little misleading.

Ok

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is better to do something after it was supposed to have been done, than not to do it at all.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Stop being fixated on what hasn’t or should have been done. Think of ways to give at least one dose to everyone especially those who are vulnerable, medical and Olympic related. Every school or majority should hold mass vaccination on premises for students. Bad decision making or lack of , result in terrible outcomes. Japan needs to wake up and start taking action.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Duh, isn't it obvious?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

and those government and IOC clowns are still trying to hold the Olympic.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

i don't honestly know what they are thinking about

2 ( +2 / -0 )

japanamericaawesomeJune 3  05:21 pm JST

Duh, isn't it obvious?

Stevie Wonder can clearly see this.

and those government and IOC clowns are still trying to hold the Olympic.

Keep on deluding yourselves, guys. They are only looking like fools and they don't even know it!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ready steady NO TOKYO 2021 GAMES!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fighto!June 2  07:44 am JST

Devote all national medical resources to rapid vaccination. Period.

That means scrapping this rubbish, resource-draining and disaster plagued event starting in July.

sf2kJune 2  07:46 am JST

To both never learn and never quit is ridiculous. The Tokyo variant is inevitable unless the games are cancelled

We need to get the planet innoculated first, then host the Games. The profits will come in if we wait and use our heads.

wanderlustJune 2  10:08 am JST

By using a new weapon called vaccines and taking firm preventive measures, it is fully possible

Smallpox vaccination was described in the Indian Rig Veda thousands of years ago!

As well as sterilisation of surgical instruments, and the use of anaethesia, long before the 'Western World'.

The Chinese Empire eliminated smallpox in most of the Orient before Jenner's vaccine was created. That was a huge step for its final eradication by 1981.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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