Going our own way on lockdowns risky

IN England, November 5 is less likely to be remembered this year as Guy Fawkes’ day and more as the date when a second lockdown began.

A total of 38 backbenchers – including four DUP MPS – voted against the move.

But more than 500 of their colleagues – some more reluctantly than others – agreed with Boris Johnson that there is no alternative to harsh restrictions if the Covid-19 virus is to be kept at bay.

In Scotland and Wales, similar tough regimes are in force.

In Dublin, t h e Ta o i s e a c h Micheal Martin told Fianna Fail TDS the current Level 5 restrictions are unlikely to be lifted before December 2.

So with all our near neighbours hunkered down behind the cover of the clampdowns, is it credible for Stormont to stick its head above the parapet?

Last weekend the First Minister Arlene Foster seemed to think so. She tweeted that “our current restrictions will end on November 13 as planned. We must adapt to co-exist with the virus”.

The logic is that Northern Ireland went into its cocoon earlier than other places and the R number – which measures the level of virus transmission – seems to be on the retreat, with the latest estimate putting it at 0.7.

However, our medical professionals aren’t convinced.

They are struggling to cope with the influx of seriously ill patients into our hospitals and want the current four-week ban on pubs and restaurants extended by at least another fortnight.

It’s a matter of life and death – which is why it’s all the more extraordinary that it provoked a bitter war of words between do ctors and politicians.

The GPS’ representat iv e D r To m B l a c k warned reopening pubs and restaurants at a time when the second wave of Covid-19 remains a huge threat would amount to “careless vandalism”. Lockdown sceptic Sammy Wilson – one of the four local MPS who opposed the English clampdown – retorted by describing Dr Black as “irresponsible”.

He told the BBC Stormont should ignore the case made by a “wellh eeled do ctor” who c ouldn’t understand the problems workers face in making ends meet.

ABHORRENT

The SDLP Stormont Minister Nichola Mallon jumped to Dr Black’s defence, accusing Mr Wilson of making an “abhorrent” attack on the British Medical Association’s representative.

Simply dismissing the doctor’s expertise, she argued, would be a “dangerous” course of action.

Beyond this spat, it’s clear our Executive ministers face a choice.

Once again, it’s a question of striking a balance between lives and livelihoods.

Howe v er, t h a t c h o i c e wi l l undoubtedly have been made easier by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s confirmation that the furlough job support scheme will be extended across the UK until the end of March.

When the clampdown was put in place, many businesses reacted negatively to a document which revealed some of the evidence underlying the new rules was “anecdotal” and the likely impact of closing hairdressers and beauticians would be less than asking churches to conduct their services online.

There are i ndications these so-called “close contact ser vic es” could be given a reprieve, whilst the hospitality industry may have to stay shut.

However, no compromise along these lines was agreed by Executive ministers yesterday.

Instead, no decisions will be announced until next week.

Stormont hasn’t followed the E n g l i s h e x a mpl e by c l o si n g non-essential retail outlets.

There’s been no talk either of matching the Republic or England by suspending regular church services.

That’s despite a number of local Free Presbyterian churches having to close due to recent outbreaks.

It’s also clear the Education Minister Peter Weir wants schools to carry on as normal, rather than adopting a more flexible blend of online and classroom learning.

Until a new vaccine or mass testing changes the dynamic, there are only so many options open to Stormont ministers. “Remember, Remember the 13th of November?”

Maybe by that date we should be juggling the various ways in which we might protect ourselves against the virus, rather than simply ending restrictions designed to keep the public safe.

It’s a question of striking a balance between lives & livelihoods

CLOSED Pubs may have to stay shut

EXPERT Dr Tom Black is worried