Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Breastfeeding Athletes Have To Choose Between Babies And Olympics
Yahoo Sports: Olympics 2021: Breastfeeding Athletes Likely Can't Bring Babies, Organizers Say
Aliphine Tuliamuk, the U.S. Olympic marathoner who doubles as a new mom, has said that she "cannot imagine" going to the 2021 Games without her breastfeeding daughter, Zoe. Olympic organizers, however, say she'll probably have to. An International Olympic Committee spokesperson told Yahoo Sports on Monday that it is "highly unlikely" that "unaccredited people from overseas" — which would include infants and caregivers — will be granted entry into Japan for the Games. (Bushnell, 6/28)
AP: Canadian Basketball Player Being Forced To Choose Between 'Being A Breastfeeding Mom Or An Olympic Athlete'
A Canadian basketball player is being “forced to decide between being a breastfeeding mom or an Olympic athlete.” Kim Gaucher says COVID-19 rules prevent her from bringing her daughter, Sophie, who was born in March, to the Tokyo Olympics next month. In an Instagram video, she adds that she has tried appeals but “nobody can do anything.” The 37-year-old Gaucher is looking into options, such as shipping milk, but has run into complications. (6/24)
In other Olympics news —
The Guardian: Surge In Covid-19 Cases In Tokyo, Less Than A Month Out From Olympics
A rise in daily cases of the coronavirus in Tokyo has triggered fears of a possible fifth wave of infections, less than a month before the city is due to host the Olympics. Tokyo reported 317 infections on Monday – an increase of 81 from the same day last week and the ninth week-on-week same-day rise in a row. (McCurry, 6/29)
Agence France-Presse: Japan’s Olympics Chief Says There Is ‘No Way’ To Prevent Covid-19 Cases Among Visiting Teams
Japan’s Olympic chief on Monday said there was “no way” to ensure zero coronavirus cases among teams arriving for the Tokyo Games, as officials prepare to tighten screening procedures. Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita said “thorough measures” would be necessary at airports, after two members of Uganda’s team tested positive last week following their arrival in Japan. (6/28)
NBC News: Ahead Of Tokyo Olympics, Japan Vaccination Rate Far From The Mark
Japan’s vaccination drive has gone from a marathon to a sprint as the country rushes to protect as many of its 126 million people as possible from Covid-19 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Less than a month away from the lighting of the ceremonial torch, the Japanese government recently announced that it had hit the benchmark of vaccinating 1 million people in a single day. (Siemaszko, 6/28)
Elsewhere around the globe —
Bloomberg: Mexico’s Supreme Court Removes Ban Against Smoking Marijuana
Mexico’s Supreme Court has removed the nation’s prohibition against consuming marijuana, allowing anyone who wants a permit for recreational use of cannabis to be able to receive one. The decision eliminates all legal obstacles for the Health Ministry to authorize planting, harvesting, possession and transportation of pot for personal use by adults, the court said in a statement. The ruling doesn’t decriminalize the sale of cannabis, or its use without a permit. (Averbuch, 6/29)
