MEP demands 'total lockdown'

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP is calling for the Irish government to instate a total lockdown.

The Midlands–North-West representative said: “Let’s be clear, Ireland is very vulnerable in the face of the coronavirus, Covid-19.

“We are 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.

“That is why Germany has far fewer deaths than Italy.

“Ireland has half the number of ventilators that Italy has – frightening!

“We have failed to take the peak of the infection curve and last night’s figures from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, are proof of that.

“Our infection rate is soaring. We have not done inward travel restrictions, we have been slow to close schools, pubs...”

Mr Flanagan said that is in the past, and now we have look to ahead.

“I believe that we must move to instigate a total lockdown now, similar to France.

“If we do not, 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. It is just beginning to work in Italy.

“Most countries in Europe are going towards lockdown. 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.”