Covid-19 has already taken nearly 6 million lives globally over last 2 years and over 295 million have been infected, impacted, impaired etc. Lives and livelihood have been hurt. Mind, body and soul have been torn apart. The human pain and suffering continues.
As a salve, and proven medical caution, our scientific community has vaccines to improve immunity to this virus. As rational leaders, one expects the global icons and local influencers to help the local authorities to help drive up the vaccination process, quickly and efficiently. After all, every person vaccinated, is a better chance of humanity in overcoming this virus.
With vaccine-hesitation being another issue that governments are tackling globally, any unsaid or unclear stand around vaccination, especially by icons, are bound to stir up variety of negative emotions - be it anger, frustration, resentment, etc.
Novak
Well, for a man who has been seen as gentle, rule-abiding fair-play person, this controversy of vaccine-exemption is a big one for his fans. Or other sports enthusiasts in general.Djokovic was one word in my circle of family of friends that meant - perseverance. It also meant hard work, fun loving, family person, determined, sincere, role-model, values-based. I have been his unabashed fan for many years - for his demeanour, his tennis, his grit, and his lack of controversies in general.
From an iconic sport star, one would expect a transparent communication and to clear his stand on this vaccine exemption controversy.
The Controversy
On Thursday evening, when Novak Djokovic landed in Melbourne, Australian authorities said that they are cancelling his entry visa due to wrong visa category and importantly for Novak not having vaccinated (against covid). In fact, Djokovic had said on social media that he had an exemption to play in the Australian Open, without proof he was fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The vaccine exemption had been granted by the Australian Open organisers, after his application had been cleared by two independent medical panels. This surely has caused a flutter (to put it mildly) in Australia.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the government will need to make "no apologies" for protecting its border. “Individuals who do not meet our strict requirements will be denied entry to Australia, it does not matter who they are," she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, this has taken a cross-border nationalist-political hue. The Serbian president has taken offence to what he called as ‘maltreatment’ of its star citizen. President Aleksandar Vucic posted on Instagram, that he spoke with Djokovic and told him that "the whole of Serbia is with him and that our authorities are undertaking all measures in order that maltreatment of the world's best tennis player ends as soon as possible. In line with all standards of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, justice and truth."
The state government for Victoria, where Melbourne Park is located, has mandated full vaccinations for all players, staff and fans at the Australian Open unless there is a genuine medical reason. Among the acceptable grounds were acute major medical conditions, serious adverse reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or evidence of a COVID-19 infection within the previous six months. It has not been revealed if that was the case with Djokovic.
In April 2020, he had made a public statement: “Personally I am opposed to the vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be able to travel. But if it becomes compulsory, I will have to make a decision whether to do it, or not.” Later in July, he and his wife tested positive for covid, after a series of exhibition matches he organised without any social distancing or masking.
To be fair to Novak, as late as in august last year, the US Open in New York gave exemption that players and their teams did not need to be vaccinated. But that was a different country, and now with newer variants of covid, and better data sets available to understand the pandemic (it’s still not yet an endemic), appropriate behaviour in respecting a different country’s rules is expected.
Leadership accountability - an open letter
Dear Novak: Icons like you have a larger-than-life image. And a larger-than-that responsibility towards societal causes.
Novak, you can be anti-vax. For reasons best known to you.
But as a role model, please don’t vex us.
The world looks up to icons like you, to learn from the best of your behaviour and your overcoming odds. Millions of us, including your younger audience need positive reaffirmation about your stand on this topic.
As someone who others look upto, you should be setting a shining example. And as a fellow human, shouldn’t you show more consideration to all those whom you might come in contact with? For their health safety and their feelings.For many of those may not have the voice, liberty or even the authority to say “No, I won’t serve or serve to Novak” !
As a public figure, you should clarify your stand on this issue. Silence in this matter may not be graceful, considering that your team of lawyers are fighting a country about their rule and their decision to enforce that rule !And importantly, it should not (seem to) be the case of a superstar tantrum.
You are chasing a record 21st Grand Slam victory after winning nine Australian Open singles titles, including the past three tournaments. Like so many millions around us, I also would want to see you follow all rules as applicable to anyone of us. Especially, now that it’s in public domain !
I would rather see you be the tall leader that you have been so far. One who can disarm opponent with sheer tenacity, tireless ground coverage, booming serve and a smile.
But for Covid, let’s get the vaccines going ! As to Australian Open, the ball is now in Novak’s court, or rather the Australian Courts !
