Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FINAL CHECK Seven infected patients sent to care homes
Sammy out in the cold after ice-cream remark Figures also show hundreds moved without testing
SAMMY Wilson sparked a Twitter debate yesterday when he declared you can’t enjoy an ice-cream “when you’re muzzled”.
The social media post appears to have been a swipe at calls for people to wear face masks in shops.
Within three hours of the tweet, the Democratic Unionist MP had got more than 400 replies and had even received a rebuke from a party colleague.
MLA and deputy chair of the Stormont Health Committee Pam Cameron said: “I for one will be wearing a face covering and doing the little bit I can to protect those whose shielding is paused today.”
Alliance Councillor Danny Donnelly tweeted an image of himself buying an ice-cream while wearing a mask.
Mr Wilson replied: “Wear a mask if you like Danny but don’t play on people’s fears with weak evidence to force them to do likewise. The customers and staff I spoke with don’t agree with you.”
UUP chief whip Robbie Butler said Mr Wilson’s comments “are an insult to those people coming off shielding today”. He added: “He displays an incredible amount of ignorance.
“Nobody is being asked to wear a face covering while they are eating and his petulant performance is grossly irresponsible.
“Even Donald Trump is now encouraging people to wear face coverings. Sammy should grow up
YESTERDAY
and realise it’s not always all about him.”
Earlier this week, Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said: “As many people as possible should wear a face covering in an indoor space where it is not possible to maintain 2m separation from other people.”
And Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to show “solidarity” with shielders by donning a mask and pointing to “compelling” and increasing evidence of their effectiveness.
Co Down woman Michaela Hollywood is a ventilator user and especially vulnerable to the virus.
She said people refusing to wear masks puts her at risk and made her feel unable to enjoy the freedom the new advice allowed.
She added: “How many more days of my life do I have to sacrifice for the whims of others?
“It’s insensitive and dangerous for any public representative
[to make those remarks].
“Take your mask off to eat and drink if that’s what you’d like to do. But calling it a muzzle is dangerous and derogatory to disabled people and those at the high risk to this insidious virus.”
Marie Tunney, whose daughter
Eve has to shield, said Mr Wilson’s remarks were “appalling” and showed a lack of leadership.
She added: “Face coverings are not muzzles or face nappies or any of the other ridiculous terms being used at the moment.”
The DUP declined to comment.