Doctors in Japan are pleading for the Tokyo Olympics to be rescheduled due to the rising cases in COVID-19.
The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association, a large doctors group, consisting of nearly 6,000 primary care practitioners, penned an open letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. In the plea, they argued that the Japanese healthcare system could be overwhelmed due to a super spreader event if the games take place.
The doctors are asking that the games be canceled to decrease cases of the virus.
“We strongly request that the authorities convince the International Olympic Committee that holding the Olympics is difficult and obtain its decision to cancel the Games,” the organization wrote. “The medical institutions dealing with COVID-19 have their hands full and have almost no spare capacity.”
The organization also pointed out that the summer months bring about a surge in heat exhaustion patients that will only contribute added stress on the healthcare system already flooded by the coronavirus outbreak.
“Japan will bear the maximum responsibility,” they added.
The Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 23rd through August 8th.
