Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HAIR COULD YOU
‘Flimsy’ scientific evidence was used to shut down salons by Executive
FLIMSY evidence was used to close some lockdown-hit businesses such as hair salons and pubs, it was claimed by a former Stormont minister last night.
Ex-finance boss Simon Hamilton spoke out after the Department of Health released its “Covid-19 evidence bank” which shone a light on the range of options experts offered the Executive to tackle the pandemic.
In a tweet he said of the paper : “Its contents are absolutely shocking.
“Why did ministers close hospitality and close contact retail when they knew it would
have such a low impact on the R number, a high impact on incomes and a disproportionate effect on the poor and women?
“This flimsy evidence poses massive questions for the @niexecutive.”
The 23-page document outlines measures ranging from a full lockdown to “restrictions on outdoor gatherings, including prohibiting large events” and even options such as “alternating week in – week off, return to work”.
Along with each possible measure, the paper looks at the impact they could have on infection transmission as well as deaths, the social, psychological and economic impact and “implementation issues”.
Among the measures that have been introduced are the “closure of close contact personal services (hairdressing, beauty therapy, etc)”.
It states: “Each event is likely to be high risk as it involves prolonged, close, face-to-face contact. However, use of these services is relatively infrequent so the overall impact on R is more limited.
“Potential reduction in R of up to 0.05, though precise estimation very difficult.
“Appropriate PPE can mitigate risk – CDC evidence suggests masks were effective at stopping transmission in a hairdressing salon but some evidence of infection transmission among hairdressers in the UK.
“Contact tracing generally easy (if complied with). Many places are already careful with hygiene.”
In terms of the economic consequences, it adds: “High direct impacts resulting from loss of income for staff, and low psychological impact through reduced social contact for customers.
“Likely to disproportionately affect poorest (and women) given employment in personal services with consequences for health inequalities.”
On the closure of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants, it states the impact of transmission will be “moderate” with a “potential reduction” in R of 0.1 to 0.2, “though precise estimation very difficult”.