Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan is demanding that Ireland moves to instigate a total lockdown immediately, similar to France.
He said that Ireland is very vulnerable in the face of the coronavirus, Covid-19. “We are very low on ventilators and there is clear evidence that shows that a country with a low number of ventilators per head of population has a higher death rate than countries with high numbers of ventilators per head of population.” he stressed in a statement this afternoon (Friday, March 20th).
“This is why Germany has far fewer deaths than Italy. Ireland has half the number of ventilators that Italy has. Frightening!”
Failure
He said that Ireland has failed to take the peak of the infection curve and last night’s figures from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, is proof.
“Our infection rate is soaring. We have not done inward travel restrictions, we have been slow to close schools, pubs etc.”
“This is all in the past; we must look to what is coming down the line. If we do not do this, we will needlessly kill thousands of our citizens.”
“Why wait? Why be behind the curve? We can see what works. Lockdown is currently the only medicine against this virus. It worked in China.”
Immediate action
He said that lockdown is just beginning to work in Italy, adding that most countries in Europe are going towards lockdown, while Poland, Denmark, Spain and many others have closed their borders.
“Let’s do it NOW. Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organisation has said the most important single factor in fighting coronavirus is speed.”
“Minister Harris, Taoiseach Varadkar, please move NOW. What are you waiting for? Every day is a loss.” his statement concluded.
