Tokyo is one of several areas of the country under a state of emergency because of a surge in infections. The status is due to expire Monday, but officials are considering an extension of at least two weeks. Nearly 60% of respondents in a Kyodo News survey in mid-May said the games should be canceled.
Takahide Kiuchi, executive economist at the Nomura Research Institute, told Kyodo that a post-games spike in cases and hospitalizations could bring more economic hardship to the region.
"Even if the games are canceled, the economic loss will be smaller than (another) a state of emergency," Kiuchi said.
The vaccination rate for U.S. adults will surpass 50% Tuesday, according to the White House. Vaccination rates still vary by state, however, and officials have stressed that the coronavirus will continue to spread in communities with lower levels of vaccinations. At least 25 states have fully vaccinated at least half of their adult residents, according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
President Joe Biden has set of goal of getting at least one shot into the arm of 70% percent of adults by July 4th. More than 61% of adults have now had at least one shot.
– Maureen Groppe
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