THREAD:
After one death from Coronavirus, Ireland has closed schools & large events. Scotland’s First Minister has called for the same to happen in the UK, where no similar action has yet been taken despite 10 deaths and 590 known cases.
After one death from Coronavirus, Ireland has closed schools & large events. Scotland’s First Minister has called for the same to happen in the UK, where no similar action has yet been taken despite 10 deaths and 590 known cases.
Wales host Scotland in the 6 Nations on Saturday. All available evidence shows that carrying on with large public events helps the virus spread. Playing the game will likely help spread the virus in Cardiff and Wales as a whole. Holding it is a big risk.
The ITV journalist Robert Peston today reported that the government were looking on with ‘grim bemusement’ at the idea of sporting events being cancelled, even though crowd suppression appears to be working in South Korea.
Cardiff, like other major cities, is prone to widespread infection. Despite this, Welsh Government has still not ruled out closing Royal Glamorgan A&E dept, meaning Heath hospital could face added pressure as it deals with the effects of Covid-19.
The leader of Cardiff Council Huw Thomas has not made any recent statements about the crisis. The last thing he tweeted was something praising Tony Blair 18 hours ago. An internet search for a statement comes up blank.
On the Cardiff council website, Coronavirus is not prominent. On this page for travel advice for Saturday, it's not mentioned. By word searching ‘Coronavirus’, or scrolling the home page, you eventually reach another site for information.
bit.ly/38Qqf3z
bit.ly/38Qqf3z
On this page of press releases, no mention of Coronavirus. There is no advice to residents on how to get tested, what you should do in terms of work, what precautions you should take, your rights. Various avenues of communication are being neglected.
cardiffnewsroom.co.uk
cardiffnewsroom.co.uk
In Italy, there have been reports about how the initial failure to treat the virus seriously has created a much more severe crisis. Yesterday the country announced 200 deaths had occurred in a 24 hour period. Shops and restaurants have closed by law. Hospitals are overwhelmed.
Serious questions will be raised about what Cardiff Council are doing in the face of such a serious threat. Why is the leader not saying more? Is Huw Thomas happy about a potentially dangerous event going ahead this weekend that could increase the risk of the infection spreading?
More importantly, will the leader or First Minister of Wales challenge the UK government if they fail to act. The ITV’s Robert Peston reports that the government believe ‘herd immunity’ to be a viable response, even though this could cause far more deaths.
On Wednesday night, the leader of the WHO praised South Korea as a country that has showed a good response to the virus. South Korea has undertaken mass testing and a large scale quarantine. The opposite approach to Britain.
Many will think council leaders & the First Minister have a duty to speak out when the UK govt takes a potentially disastrous response. The poorest and elderly will suffer the most, particularly serious for Wales. Failure to challenge the UK govt could prove highly dangerous.
For relevant information on Coronavirus in Cardiff and Wales, visit this web site here: evaccardiff.co.uk/about/
