No facemask, Leo? Now that was ‘not thought through’
LEO Varadkar broke Covid-19 guidelines by not wearing a mask while seated beside his driver af t er l eaving Government Buildings at the weekend.
The Tánaiste – who infamously said that Dr Tony Holohan’s advice to go to Level 5 two weeks ago was ‘not thought through’ – was pictured openly flouting the rules on maskwearing on Sunday night.
The images emerged after a meeting involving Coalition top brass to discuss additional Level 5 restrictions following advice from NPHET.
Two public health experts said the Tánaiste – who is himself a former doctor – broke the Covid-19 guidelines, as he was within two metres of his driver and was not wearing a face covering or mask. His driver, however, did take the precaution.
Professor Anthony Staines told the Irish Daily Mail Mr Varadkar was not helping the public health message by breaking pandemic rules. He said: ‘From a messaging point of view, I think every opportunity that any of our politicians take to wear a mask in public is helpful because part of it is about normalising the idea that you are wearing masks to protect yourself and others.
‘We have seen a lot of our politicians not wearing masks. But, I think the message should go to our politicians and others in the public eye that you should wear a mask when possible because it is part of normalising mask-wearing... I know that the Tánaiste has Garda protection so that guard may well be with him almost all the time and may, in effect, be part of his household.’
Beaumont Hospital i nfectious diseases consultant Professor Sam McConkey did not comment on Mr Varadkar specifically, but did say you must wear a facemask when you are within two metres of someone.
‘Once you are within two metres of someone you don’t live with, you are supposed to be wearing a mask,’ said Professor Sam McConkey.
Prof. Staines went on to say he hopes the Government introduces a rule whereby masks are mandatory at all times outside the home.
A spokeswomen for the Tánaiste said Mr Varadkar ‘makes every effort to comply with the public health guidance when and where it applies’.
‘You are supposed to be wearing one’