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CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER Dr. Tony Holohan has said that now is not the time to end the cocooning of over 70s to protect them from Covid-19.
Holohan said this evening that he is aware that it is a “challenging” request to make but that the virus has a “greater impact” on elderly people, regardless of their level of fitness.
Since the government’s stay-at-home order was issued on 27 March, people aged over 70 have been asked to stay at home at all times and avoiding face-to-face contact in a bid to prevent them contracting the virus.
Relatives and friends of those who are cocooned are permitted and encouraged to shop on their behalf.
With these restrictions now extended until at least 5 May, there have been some calls for the cocooning restrictions to be lifted for over 70s, allowing them exercise in the same way that those under 70s are specifically allowed.
But speaking this evening, Holohan said cocooning is not about suggesting that people over 70 are necessarily unfit or have medical conditions.
“I can understand how challenging that is and how frustrating it is, many people over the age of 70 are fit and healthy and probably had a pre-existing lifestyle of active exercise, active participation in society so it’s particularly challenging for people in those age groups and those circumstances,” he said.
The reality is, we know that the risk of infection having a greater impact on an individual is greater, by virtue of your age, almost independent of whether you have an underlying medical condition or not. So somebody who’s older has a greater risk of having a more complicated experience with this infection if they pick it up. And we think that we can’t give advice to people that it’s appropriate for them to come back out and come to an end of the period of cocooning until we think that we have sufficient control in the community generally in relation to this disease, we don’t think we’re at that point yet.
“And while we think we’re making continued progress in that direction, we think we’re not there just a moment in time,” he added.
Holohan said Professor Philip Nolan of the National Public Health Emergency Team will tomorrow provide a more detailed briefing of where the group believes the progress of Covid-19 is in Ireland.
He added, however, it’s not yet at the point where the cocooning advice can be lifted.
“We won’t want to continue an arrangement like this, or a recommendation like this, given how challenging it is for people any the longer than we think that we think is necessary. But we think we’re not at that point yet,” he said.
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I’m sorry elder people but it is far from that point yet..and majority of young people are staying home albeit not the same as cocooning but at home but for shopping and a walk to keep ye from getting sick..I’m home alone a bit younger, haven’t seen my family but would rather be here than with a ventilator in a hospital.sit tight.and stay alive..
@Shirley Hollingsworth: I think I know you
@Shirley Hollingsworth: totally overblowing the risk of catching this. Stop scaremongering and read up on the risks a bit more.
@The Irish Pain: I suspect Dr Tony Holohan has read up on the risks considerably more than you.
@The Irish Pain: overblowing the fact that over 400 have died and yesterday 2 care workers 50s and 40s..scaremongering.dont you dare use that word ..I’m saying what I hear and see..and want all my family alive when this is over..good name..suits you..
It may not be lifted but it is certainly being ignored – both in shops, which have special times for older people, and re walking.
@Mairead Jenkins: It’s only advice
@Mairead Jenkins: the cocooning is a farce. Nobody is picking it up from going for a walk.
So far my parents have stayed in except for my father driving me to supermarket. However dont know if they could stick it if it went on for much longer after the 5th of May.
@Susan O’flaherty: what choice would they prefer?
@RJ: some would prefer to take their chances and some would not. That is the reality. What to do about that is the issue. What are your thoughts?
@Alan Gee: Well the overall issue is that they are the at risk group and increase their risk of infection and based on their vulnerability its more likely they may need ICU treatment. The health service gets stretched further and fatalities increase, so they’re taking chances for other people too.
@RJ: Sensible social distancing
@Alan Gee: you see, that’s the tip of the issue. So Joe Bloggs doesn’t value much in life and accepts the risk, then turns out, he actually get it bad, who in turn expects family, care workers to step up to the mark, ends up in ICU, infects a worker, the worker infects her husband, who infects someone else.
I think you know well the issue. I’m not sure 1, people realise how contagious this is or 2, if they are OK with getting infected or die from it the ramifications for others with this mindset.
It’s almost selfish, in a weird way
@RJ: I know very well the issue. It is important to have these discussions and flesh them out.
@filthypete: but that doesn’t explain exactly how they are putting themselves at any further risk if they left the house for an hour walk around the block and practicing social distance – or in a car alone to take a dog for a walk in the park – I appreciate the Dr has more knowledge about the risks but it still isn’t clear why they couldn’t have said they need to stay away from shops and cocoon but allowed to walk the dog or spin down to the parks or beach – it can not be logically any more risk and in fact should be beneficial to them getting fresh air , working the muscles and vitamin D – all recommended to over 70s. I haven’t heard a genuine reason why some limited walking for over 70s isn’t allowed.
@Dave Hammond: simply put because inside the house is a more controlled environment. Outside they’ve no control over actions of others or if unintentionally come into contact with surfaces outside it has a greater risk than contact with a surface in their house. It’s all about risk reduction.
But how come we are at the point where 300 people can attend a funeral and nothing done about it. Or does the virus not effect certain cultures.
@Keith k: as far as I have heard only ten people can attend a funeral… or did I miss something?
I think we need to either have a day a week for over 70s to be allowed move around or lift the cocoon from 5th if the numbers are looking good at that point.
@Lorcs Byrne: do you..and all this will have been a waste of time.because majority of people that died are over 70.children have stayed in to keep grandparents well..children that are healthy, teenagers that are healthy, young adults that are healthy, prob most people under 60 that are healthy ,WILL survive it..so if it’s been to long and you think they should come out.then life goes back to normal except lots of funerals..
@Shirley Hollingsworth: your perspective is valid but not everyone shares your perspective.
@Alan Gee: well then nobody is locked in I’d say..free will, to come out if people want to..
@Lorcs Byrne: cocooning sucks. I know the reasons for it but it is very hard to cope and bad for mental health especially for people who live on their own. One minute you are healthy getting lots of exercise going for coffee etc next you are elderly your independence taken away & relying on strangers to do your shopping etc. I was totally overwhelmed when I heard it was for another 3 weeks and maybe longer.
@Shirley Hollingsworth: i appreciate your point of view but you seem unable to explain why some limited walking say once a day while practicing social distancing would put them at risk of catching covid – if they are not coming into contact with anybody they cant – thats the facts – they dont have to be allowed into supermarkets etc – just allowed for some exercise and dog walking etc.
Only…77 recovered…so ..at least 2 more months…please
@Anamaria Strango: 77 from icu there is no figures for those that were not hospitalised
@nelliekel: So how they now they are cured?They have to make the test at least once…someone has to keep those records.If they do not keep records..they are not doing a proper job….One patient has covid ..he does not need Icu…his released…to go home…how he knows is healed
Holohan and varadker are twins working to the same agenda, destroy the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and dont care, power hungry, deceitful and overpaid.
@Thomas McGrath: Try Carlsberg. That cheap eastern European muck is damaging both your brain cells.
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