The HSE has described the most at-risk groups to the Covid-19 virus as being those of the age 60 years or over or having ‘long-term medical condition(s) – for example, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer or high blood pressure’. The WHO expands this list to include people who are immuno-compromised.
In a press conference on Monday last, 9th February, Leo Varadkar warned that more than half the population could contract the disease and said that for the vast majority of the population it “will be a mild illness and may even by asymptomatic.”
Varadkar went on to say that “there will be a significant part of the population who will require critical care.” In light of these facts, the government needs to stand up their responsibilities in protecting the most vulnerable.
Emergency legislation is due to be released early next week as part of the contingency plan to deal with the outbreak, in which Varadkar promises to deal with issues surrounding sick pay. It is vital that this legislation addresses the issues facing those most at risk, including the granting of full sick pay for the most vulnerable if they wish to self-isolate.
Varadkar said that “The whole objective here is that people who have symptoms and are told to stay at home will come forward and not fear doing so for economic reasons.”
It is therefore a short-sighted move to continue to expose people from the at-risk category. They should be allowed to go into self-isolation now if they so wish, with full support from the state. Full sick pay ought to be provided for them immediately.
This will help to protect vulnerable people and take pressure off what is clearly going to be a strain on an already overburdened health system that will, according to Leo Varadkar, have to “cope as best as possible”.
