Everything needs to be done to fix Covid Testing Logjam

Everything needs to be done to fix Covid Testing Logjam – Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has stated

“The serious lack of capacity in testing for COVIDー19 in Ireland means that the daily published figures are inaccurate & historic. The numbers of people who have tested positive for the virus is a direct function of the number of tests available. The figure is therefore an inaccurate representation of the amount of Covid-19 that is actually circulating.

Also if there is a 10 day average lag in results, then the figures published today are in large part 10 days old. This has to date radically hampered timely contact tracing which is key to stopping this illness. Thankfully contact tracing has leap frogged the necessity for a result and can now start earlier. However this means that contact tracing will now happen in cases where people do not have the virus at all. This will cost scarce resources”.

“I understand that the authorities here in Ireland are in negotiations with local private pharma and medical device companies in an effort to increase the supply of pivotal materials. But given that the Irish government have already commandeered private hospitals for public use in this crisis, it is logical that private companies are repurposed where possible to produce what is needed and that a temporary ban on exports would be put in place to ensure Ireland receives the materials we need”.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.