Covid 19 'banquet of consequences' we warned about being served up

Ralph Hewitt

People on the streets of Portstewart at the weekend

January 05 2021 07:35 AM

We were warned well in advance that last month's easing of the Covid-19 regulations would result in a "banquet of consequences" - now it seems like it is going to be served up.

Dr Tom Black, chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, made the statement on December 4, following the Executive's decision to loosen restrictions in the run up to the festive season.

That same day the Department of Health announced six Covid-19-related deaths, while 449 positive cases were reported.

Yesterday - exactly one month later - a further 12 people died after contracting Covid-19 and another 1,801 people tested positive.

The country was given a much-anticipated break from lockdown last month as the retail and hospitality sectors were allowed to reopen their doors.

Families and loved ones were also permitted to mix indoors for just one day over Christmas.

As a result, public transport was packed with commuters heading to Belfast and beyond, shoppers flocked to the high street, and friends and families met at restaurants to take advantage of the temporary restrictions.

It's clear that we are now facing the dire consequences of December - daily positive cases have reached record levels and our hospitals are overrun.

Health Minister Robin Swann has continually said that it can take at least 10 days before the daily figures reflect the true transmission of the virus in the community so expect figures to rise.

Despite all of the warnings by the Executive and medical experts, day trippers still flock to some of Northern Ireland's beauty spots in their droves and New Year's Eve street parties served as super-spreader events.

Meanwhile, there are those who have stayed in their homes, haven't ventured out to see their family or friends and isolated themselves from the world - all in an effort protect the ones they love from a deadly virus.

On December 4, Dr Black said a "humourless doctor" would - from a purely healthcare point of view - cancel Christmas and the New Year.

No one is laughing now.

Covid 19 'banquet of consequences' we warned about being served up

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