A stunning announcement from the Chief Medical Officer, this evening: From today, I will be taking time out from all of my work commitments to be with my family. I would like to thank everyone for their support, understanding and respect for my family’s privacy and would wish that to continue. Continue to stay vigilant […]
A wedding in the eastern Indian state of Bihar is being described as a “super-spreader” event after the groom died and between 80 and 100 guests tested positive for Covid-19. Some 350 people attended the wedding in breach of Covid-19 regulations. The groom (30), who was said to have displayed symptoms of the virus before […]
A new strain of swine flu that has the potential to spread from animals to humans and lead to another pandemic has been identified by scientists in China. The virus – named G4 EA H1N1 – is carried by pigs, but it can infect humans, the researchers from Chinese universities and China’s Centre for Disease Control […]
Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has said that churches feel “singled out” as a target for stricter application of the social distancing rules. Deputy Nolan says she has written to the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, urging that a far greater level of discretion be given to individual […]
Many nursing home residents with breathing difficulties were given morphine instead of oxygen Disturbing figures are coming from Sweden about the number of Covid-19 deaths amongst the elderly. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, half of the people who died in Sweden were residents of nursing homes. Sweden’s approach to the […]
Many Western countries looked on with a hint of dread as Chinese authorities clamped down their populations in January in the hopes of containing the spread of Covid-19. But that dread gave way to palpable fear and gnawing anxiety when the novel coronavirus touched down in Europe in March and April of this year. Fear […]
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water: Germany’s coronavirus R number has leapt again – from 1.79 on Saturday to 2.88 on Sunday, official figures show. The Robert Koch Institute for public health (RKI), which has been publishing the country’s COVID-19 statistics, said the new number is based on […]
Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has sharply criticised the government’s move to restrict attendances at masses to 50 people, asking “Do we have to return to our mass rocks to be able to celebrate the Eucharist?” Ireland has been slower than many other countries to allow centres of faith to reopen. “The restriction of 50 people […]
Please note: This story was edited – unilaterally – at 2.26pm on Wednesday June 18th to reflect the fact that the initial version of it was much too definitive in concluding that Mr. Varadkar had broken the rules, when, in fact, there is some evidence that he did not, and the original story should have […]
Here’s a free idea for the publicans of Ireland: Start advertising your once in a lifetime special offer deal now: Two free pints with your €9 packet of taytos: Pubs will be allowed to reopen on 29 June if they serve "substantial" meals costing not less than €9, according to new guidelines being prepared by […]
A leading disabilities group in Britain has revealed a shocking rise in GPs and hospital staff issuing ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (DNACPR) forms for people with disabilities during the Covid-19 crisis – without consulting patients or their families. Their investigation shows that patients who had disabilities had ‘do not resuscitate’ forms issued for ‘blindness’ and even […]
I have written elsewhere about how the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in dangerous and unethical responses like ventilator rationing, unilateral DNRs, and some states ordering nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to accept coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals. But the Covid-19 crisis has also spawned new ideas such as the American Clinicians Academy On Medical Aid in Dying’s policy […]