We need to be rational with how we approach new COVID 19 variants @DonnellyStephen @CMOIreland @ronan_glynn @merrionstreet @HSELive @PatKennyNT @NTBreakfast #antigen
1/ We have a choice to make. We have to stop saying all public health choices around COVID are choices between life and death. That defeats the argument.
2/ It polarises the discussion too much and people in fact make risk choices everyday (smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise, attending for routine health check ups). We balance risk everyday of our lives.
3/ I and many others do our best to advise others on better life choices, medications, medical and surgical procedures, through informed consent. If a person decides to ignore the advice then I’m totally ok with that. I respect that they have choice and autonomy.
4/ And I will still continue to take care of them. I’ll try and nudge them in the right direction each time we chat. We all do this. In life. In our day to day interactions with family and friends, we are all trying to help others with lifestyle choices and/or medical ailments.
5/ That’s what being a society is all about. That’s why we are naturally sociable beings, we mind our herd/pack. Clearly though we need to ensure our personal life choices don’t impact negatively on those around us.
6/ So with the overwhelming likelihood that we will be dealing with lots of variants of Covid in the coming years, our approach and the narrative must change. We should neither be alarmist or complacent.
7/ We must live with Covid the same way we live with each and every risk. We need to be rational, sensible, and objective. We adapt and ensure that our society can live with these risks rather than lock ourselves away each time a new variant of interest/concern turns up.
8/ The fear and sensationalism must stop. Vaccinations and antigen testing are the solution. It seems there are some that are constantly raising fear and doubt about vaccine or antigen efficacy. We can’t keep moving the finish line every few weeks.
9/ Surely there has to be some homogeneity with the worlds approach, with how we interpret information, and how CMOs around the world view the data and assess risk.
10/ Indoor dining- let’s take an example of 50-75 diners per sitting. Easy to do 10-15 min antigen test on those before eating, the number of which will be less since you shouldn’t need to antigen test those who are fully vaccinated.
11/ Why are the powers that be fudging over it. To test a person with no symptoms is vastly better than no test at all. For there to be only 3 cases out of 25000 fans at the recent Danish football match is exceptional. Surely this can show how can we begin to live with the virus
12/ Allow people to take personal responsibility for their health, and continue to appeal to their better natures to be conscientious of the health of those around them. Use the tools we have to re open and live with the virus and variants.
13/ People are inherently decent and good. Appeal to that. There can be no egos in our approach, in our acceptance of data, or in how we deal with each other. “Ego is the anaesthesia that numbs the pain of stupidity”- with thanks to @DrRickRigsby
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
