Surprised...& Disappointed

 » Distancing & good hygiene ‘more effective’  » 24hr testing ‘absolute goal’ to defeat bug

- Liz Farsaci

A leading immunologist has questioned whether Ireland’s lockdown has been necessary in the fight against Covid-19.

Prof Paul Moynagh claimed yesterday that social distancing and good hygiene etiquette is proving more effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

And he said a 24-hour turnaround for testing must be an “absolute goal” if we are to effectively combat the bug.

Prof Moynagh, an immunologist at NUI Maynooth, said the roadmap announced by the Government on Friday is to be welcomed for the public’s sake.

But he questioned whether lockdown was ever necessary, adding he was “surprised and disappointed” by the ineffectiveness of it.

Prof Moynagh told RTE Radio One ’s Saturday With Cormac O hEadhra: “I think the public needed clarity in terms of where we are going so I think that’s very positive.

“But I would like to have seen a roadmap around testing and tracing. I think that is absolutely needed.”

Prof Moynagh said he would “strongly contend” the two-week extension of the lockdown “is due to testing”.

He added: “Testing is a major, major issue that needs to be addressed and as we move out of lockdown, it’s one of the only other defences we have and it needs to be much more effective.