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- Common Sense
- Exchanger
Offline - Registered: 2/16/2015
- Posts: 3,256
Some NBC staffers refuse to travel to Brazil for Olympic coverage
Some NBC staffers refuse to travel to Brazil for Olympic coverage over Zika virus fears
This could quickly go from a simple itch to something far worse.Some NBC employees are refusing to travel to Rio de Janeiro to work on the network’s Olympic broadcast this summer, fearing that they could become infected with the dreaded mosquito-borne Zika virus.“It’s very simple,” an NBC staffer told The Daily News. “I have a family. I have small children and for me, at least, the trip seems too risky. I might want to get pregnant soon.”
The staffer is one of a “handful” of NBC staffers who are opting not to travel to Brazil, network sources confirmed — declining to provide specific numbers.The network is sending more than 2,000 staffers to the South American country to cover the Olympics, including high-profile talent like “Today” hosts Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Savannah Guthrie.
Other reporting is expected from Winter Games’ stars like Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski.Brazil has been at the epicenter of a frightening outbreak of Zika, the mosquito-borne virus linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults.The World Health Organization, which in January declared Zika a global health emergency, said on Feb. 12 that vaccine trials still are more than a year away and has advised pregnant women to consider delaying travel to affected countries.“The safety of our team members is always our first priority,” an NBC Sports spokesperson said.“NBCUniversal’s medical department has advised all of our Olympic personnel to consult with their personal physicians, and continues to provide the latest information from the CDC and WHO, including basic prevention steps.
No NBC personnel assigned to work in Rio will be required to travel if they believe their personal health or safety is at risk,” the network rep said.But along with a handful of network staffers, several high-profile athletes have also seriously considered skipping out on the prestigious global event.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” former vice president Biden said during a campaign event in Texas on Monday. "All men and women created by — you know, you know, the thing.”
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