Public meeting of Weds 21st of July at 12pm.
As the UK moves to 'Freedom Day', and case numbers, hospitalisations, and deaths rise, what are the implications for the island of Ireland?
In both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, case numbers are rising, with the North a little ahead. Hospitality is opening up, at least temporarily, and the numbers travelling abroad are increasing. Rates are beginning to rise in older people in Northern Ireland, but full data for the Republic are still not available.
The Irish people. North and South, have done what they could, and what was needed. The two governments have not. We have made no serious attempt to control case numbers, so in July of this year there will be far more cases, more deaths and more hospital admissions than July 2020. The hospitality, music and pub industries, already on their knees, are about to be sacrificed again, for no good reason. The fixed determination to allow travel to continue at any cost, a determination supported by IBEC, the representative of large business interests, is hard to explain.
There are alternatives, and ISAG is sending a short letter to the Minister for Health outlining these. The decision to allow case numbers to rise out of control is a political decision, and there are practical, feasible, and achievable alternatives.
Watch the recording of this open discussion led by Prof. Aoife McLysaght, TCD, about the issues and our options:
We welcome questions from members of the press, politicians, special interest groups and the public sent to: isagcovid at gmail.com.
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BACKGROUND DETAILS:
ISAG (Independent Scientific Advocacy Group) is offering the group’s expertise and experience to work together with Governments and the people to aim for Zero Covid, meaning zero mystery cases in our shared islands. Founded by Anthony Staines, Gerry Killeen, and Tomás Ryan in June 2020, I.S.A.G. is independent of the government. All of our members are volunteers and they freely commit their time every week to discuss the COVID-19 science that underpins our governments’ response strategies. ISAG is a multidisciplinary group of scientists, academics, and researchers who have come together to advocate for a SARS-CoV-2 elimination strategy. I.S.A.G. has published several papers outlining its strategy and recommendations, and you can find them at www.isagcovid19.org