When you finish your copy of today’s Irish News, I would recommend readers to take a look at the Covid dashboard. It’s a sobering read.
In truth, it’s a reality check for Covidiots and the politicians who support them.
There has been a staggering rise in new Covid cases - 9,372 in seven days.
At the time of writing, six of our hospitals are already at over capacity. Ten patients are in ICU and there are 165 Covid inpatients. Worryingly, there are 205 patients awaiting hospital beds. Even more frightening is the revelation that there have been Covid outbreaks in 45 of our care homes.
All of this is despite a pretty amazing initial vaccination roll out.
But now the Northern Ireland vaccination take up is lagging behind the rest of the UK - 6 per cent less than England, 8 per cent less than Scotland and 10 per cent less than Wales. The main reason for this slow down is the lower uptake amongst younger age groups. It would appear they fall into two categories - those who simply think they are immune and that if they got Covid believe the impact will not be severe. The second group appear to ‘inform’ (and I use that term loosely) themselves through peer messaging and dubious experts on social media.
There is probably another category - those who are anti-vaccine and from their protest marches seem to be anti everything else from government to migrants. This last category is reckless and dangerous. A lunatic fringe who believe every bogus theory, conspiracy and plot out there.
But the younger age groups within Northern Ireland need to get a grip on reality. They need to accept their responsibility to the rest of society. Covid restrictions have been tough on younger people and they are at a lesser risk to the virus but those currently occupying and waiting for hospital beds are not the elderly and the vulnerable.
Covid has become like some kind of mad roundabout which we can’t get off. But one way to stop it spiralling out of control by the autumn, is to play catch up with the vaccination roll out. Eighteen per cent of all adults without a first dose of the vaccination is simply too high. In about eight weeks a booster jab will be given to the over 50s and the vulnerable.
To those not willing to take the vaccine for any reason other than medical should be forced to speak to families and individuals who have had the horrifying experience of having lost someone to Covid or who have had to watch their loved ones struggle on a ventilator. They should also sit in front of those who are suffering from the after effects of Covid - long Covid as it is known - and learn just how debilitating this condition really is. Or perhaps volunteer a stint with one of our NHS workers, many of whom have not been able to take a holiday.
When Johnson and Emmanuel Macron announced the introduction of Covid/vaccination passports, my initial thoughts were that this is an infringement of basic rights. But faced with the downright stubbornness of some and the rank stupidity of others, I now agree this is one way to get off this mad merry go round.
It is also recognition for those who obeyed the rules and who took their obligations to their fellow citizens seriously. They should not have carry the burden of restrictions because of the irresponsible.
Businesses, cafes, bars and restaurants want to get back to normality and they need a respite from the stop/start measures brought in by the threat of Covid. Johnson’s so called “Freedom Day’ was another example of the befuddled messaging that comes out of Number Ten. Freedom to relax restrictions and to encourage people to act recklessly whilst also saying we are not over Covid is ridiculous.
Vaccine passports may allow us the freedom to enjoy life and avoid another lockdown.
