Last night, in an address to the country from Government Buildings, Taoiseach Micheál Martin sought to balance the demands of public health with the need to “protect lives and livelihoods” warned that a return to lockdown “would lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs”.The country was in “a very different situation to last March”, he said, and warned that “severe restrictions now would have a very damaging impact” on the economy.
Dr Holohan warned the Government that there could be 2,300 cases per day in a month’s time if current trends continue. There are 31 open outbreaks in nursing homes, and 25 in settings catering for vulnerable groups such as Travellers, the homeless and direct provision recipients, the chief medical officer told Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly in a letter seen by The Irish Times.
The Irish Times understands that in its own deliberations, NPHET officials dismissed Level 3 for the entire country because they believed that while it might slow the growth of infections, it would not be sufficient to stop it. The return of Dr Holohan after three months of family leave brought a “fresh pair of eyes” to NPHET’s considerations that may have challenged an “optimism bias” around the deteriorating data that lower levels might prove effective, said a source.
A bit late to start thinking about balance.
Finally some leadership from MichealMartinTD and LeoVaradkar . The politidocs won’t take this lying down their propaganda machine will go into overdrive next few April 2 symptoms required for test, no asymptomatic tested. Current stats a joke.
Everyone needs to understand this: 'to protect lives and livelihoods” This is the sad reality of the situation, we can't afford level 5.
Most sensible thing he has said since taking office
Sounds like the Government is finally waking up 🤔
Kite flying through biased media. 'NEFHD recommend stage 5 Lockdown.' (Unelected) government are 'shocked.' Mostly negative reaction on social media etc. Surprise, Stage 5 doesn't happen. Naive will praise Mehole Martin & Leo 'Goofy' Thatchar! They're playing with our lives!
All we hear since March is, next 2 weeks are crucial. Guess what, nothing happened. Despite protests, open airports, schools, gyms, golfgate, house parties. Numbers are well manageable, no need for causing this hysteria. livingwithcovid