Thread by @PhelanVicky

RIGHT THAT'S IT ....A thread on why we need to postpone the St. Patrick's Day Parades

I am supporting our doctors and epidemiologists, like @ProfJohnCrown and Prof Sam McConkey and others who have called on the Government to to postpone the #StPatricksDayParade NOW... 1/6

And not in a week's time, or two days beforehand. Do the RIGHT thing now.

Yes, the economy will suffer BUT we postponed the parades in 2001 following the Foot and Mouth disease when Min for Agr Joe Walsh showed true leadership and postponed the parades until May of that year 2/6

And the economy recovered and, most importantly, the measures taken limited the spread of the disease. We must also remember that Foot & Mouth was a disease which ONLY affected livestock and famers' livelihoods. Human lives are at risk with #COVID19 yet our Government wait 3/6

Many smaller parades around the country have already shown moral leadership and have cancelled. Some restaurants, like Treyvaud's in Dublin have made the decision to close @PaulTreyvaud cares more about the welfare of his staff and his customers. Others should follow his lead 4/6

Does @LeoVaradkar and his Government want to go down in history as the Government who were responsible for not making the right decisions regarding the #CoronaVirusChallenge for the benefit of those they serve - particularly the most vulnerable members of our society? 5/6

Do the RIGHT thing. Postpone the parades. It is NOT enough to ask people who are vulnerable not to attend parades. Our Government needs to make some tough decisions that will not sit well with many vested interests. Great leaders have the courage to make unpalatable decisions 6/6