Novak Djokovic is currently tied with Rafael Nadal for having won the most men’s grand-slam championships in professional tennis history.
Djokovic has steadfastly resisted COVID-19 vaccination. As a result, he’s been denied U.S. entry for the first two consequential tournaments of 2023. He also has lost his No. 1 ranking.
The U.S. has an outdated, scientifically unsound blanket policy of refusing unvaccinated individuals entry into the country.
The Miami Open begins this week, and Djokovic, in his quest for No. 23, will be conspicuously absent, no doubt a disappointment to fans and a loss of revenue for both the tournament and Miami tourism. But this is just a microcosm of pervasive – and research-undermined – fascistic policies affecting everyday citizens.
Scott Hammond
Portland
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