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Ireland’s public health team has taken a stand against much of the government’s strategy to reopen the partnership in the coming weeks.
The National Public Health Emergencies Team (NPHET) has issued a series of stark warnings about the possible consequences of easing lockdown restrictions, including the possibility of a third wave hitting harder and faster than the second.
In a lengthy letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, NPHET bosses said easing restrictions, coupled with the “inevitable” mix around Christmas, could mean that a “third wave of disease will occur much more quickly and with higher mortality than the second “. “
The 36-page letter says that Ireland’s health services “remain vulnerable”, adding that “an increase in disease incidence will likely be compounded by significant intergenerational mixing around the Christmas period.”
And NPHET has added that early action will be needed to clamp down on any increases in incidence rates, something that is unlikely to be music to the ears of a government trying to create the conditions for a relatively normal Christmas.
The letter comes after Micheal Martin told the country tonight that gastronomic bars, retail stores and restaurants can open starting next week, in a significant relaxation of regulations before the holiday period.
The Taoiseach said the lockdown has been “mentally draining” for families and businesses across the country, in a speech that attempted to cross the line between public health concerns and practical economics.
“The government has carefully considered the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team,” he said.
“We have also examined additional research on how the disease has spread and the factors that influence this.
“By easing restrictions, we go as far as we think we can to achieve the best balance between health, economic and social considerations.
“But no more”.
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