Should the Olympics be postponed because of Zika?

‘I think people aren’t going to go. And sadly, the coverage they’re going to get is Brazil and Zika; it’s not going to be Brazil and the Olympics.’

The Zika outbreak has affected many places around the world, including Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, incidentally the site of the next Olympic games. That’s why medical ethicist Art Caplan of NYU co-authored an op-ed for Forbes called, “Zika Outbreak Means It Is Time To Cancel Rio Olympics.” 

Caplan highlights many factors that he believes will be barriers to the games. Young women who are, or might be, pregnant won’t go, out of fear of having a child with the birth defect microcephaly. Young male fans might not want to go, out of fear of transmitting the virus sexually. Some Olympic athletes, like Hope Solo, are worried about going to compete. Plus, for people who decide to attend despite the risk, they could carry the virus back to their home country. 

“People aren’t going to go,” Caplan said. “And sadly, the coverage they’re going to get is Brazil and Zika, it’s not going to be Brazil and the Olympics.”

Listen to the full interview with Art Caplan above.