They were recommended by the expert group solely to protect public health. Several other countries which have also imposed stricter travel rules found themselves on the Commission’s naughty list. What this spat illustrates is the consistent failure to treat public health like geopolitical matters. It ought to be possible to agree a common, transparent set of health rules given this is the biggest emergency it has ever faced. What we need to see is far more effective cooperation on how to deploy science and public health expertise collectively.

Source: Irish Independent April 17, 2021 01:30 UTC