It’s time to ease restrictions on the over70s to facilitate health-boosting exercise
A EAGARTHÓIR,
At this stage of the battle against Covid 19, I believe that it is proper to acknowledge the manner in which the general public of all age groups are responding positively to the requests to behave responsibly.
From the information being given to me it would appear that all, including the young, are doing what is right for the long-term good of the people of our country.
We are all aware of the great work of those who work in our hospitals and medical centres. Their commitment to the welfare of patients is exemplary, despite many of themselves contracting the disease.
The decisive action by An Gárda Síochána over the Easter weekend has undoubtedly prevented the further spread of the potentially fatal virus. We are deeply grateful to them and to all others who have sought to ensure that highest standards prevail.
Now, however, I believe that Minister Simon Harris and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan should consider allowing the over 70s, and I am one of them, the option of being permitted to walk the 2kms.
That age category should be wise enough to know whether or not to so exercise and not to go out if they have any heart, lung and immunological conditions.
For a person of more than three score and ten to be confined indoors for too long can have long term consequences for their overall ability to walk as muscle mass decreases rapidly as we get older and this can increase the risk of injury. The little daily walk, maybe during a specified hour, would also help their lung and heart capacity.
As the days lengthen and the sun gets warmer a short walk in the fresh air would be both physically and mentally valuable and would help to keep my age group reasonably fit and well at a time when there are more than enough demands on our stretched health service, Sincerely,
Michael Gleeson,
Mayor Killarney Municipal District Council.