New health group calls for Nphet to be disbanded

national | health / disability issues | other press

Monday November 16, 2020 10:00

by T

From the Independent on Sat

A group of GPs and other medical professionals who are calling for an end to lockdown and questioning Nphet's health advice are demanding an urgent meeting with the Government.

A group consisting of mainly GPs - including former Fianna Fáil minister Jim McDaid and the Mater Hospital's infectious disease expert Professor Jack Lambert - has signed a "white paper" questioning what it calls Ireland's "outdated" public health strategies in response to Covid-19.

ireland_mortality_rates_during_covid19_versus_previous_years.jpg

Many of the signatories are part of a newly formed group, named Covid Recovery - A Scientific Approach (https://covidrecovery.ie/), that includes 67 doctors and 100 scientists. Cavan-based GP Michael McConville is a member of the group and was involved in the development of its white paper.

Dr McConville said: "We are now seeking an urgent meeting with Government to tell them they need to disband Nphet. The Government needs to widen itself to a wider discipline of experts.

If Nphet went away, a disaster would not take place. Why hasn't everyone working in supermarkets got sick?

They are dealing with the great unwashed in their thousands every day. These workers have not got Covid in their droves so it's perfectly reasonable to assume that the same would happen in the general population."

Dr McConville insisted "Nphet's focus is too narrow" and the Government should consider other experts including engineers, mathematicians and statisticians to interpret Covid data.

On lockdowns, Dr McConville maintained they have "no effect on mortality rates" and attempts to stop infection rates are futile and "like trying to stop the tide".

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/new-health-group-calls-for-nphet-to-be-disbanded-39748003.html
A report can also be found here: https://www.facebook.com/YellowVestIreland/posts/774015660129617

The White Paper called: COVID-19 Alternative Strategy – A Case for Health and Socioeconomic Wellbeing
is attached here.

Also can be downloaded from https://t.co/uIlzObDRRY?amp=1

WHITE PAPER: Covid Recovery from Irish Doctor / Surgeon Group 1.79 Mb