Halloween will be a damp squib if Dublin or other parts of the country move to Level 4, a respected GP has revealed.
Dr Maitiu O Tuathail warned that it won’t be safe for parents to bring their kids trick or treating if Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the capital.
The GP, who runs a busy surgery in Ranelagh, told the Irish Mirror: “Things could be different in four weeks. More counties could be going into lockdown.
“There’s a possibility that Dublin could be moved to Level 4.”
While it’s uncertain whether traditions such as trick or treating could go ahead at Level 3, Dr O Tuathail revealed it would not be possible at Level 4.
He added that Cork, Galway, Louth, Waterford and Limerick are also areas for concern at the moment and that the current situation is “not going in the right direction.”
The 30-year-old told the Irish Mirror how Covid outbreaks are now even occurring in more rural parts of Connemara and also in Galway city.
“We are seeing outbreaks in the country. That’s worrying. That is a big cause for concern”, he said.
And making an appeal to the public to continue to follow the restrictions in their local areas, he said: “I plead with everyone every day to abide by these rules.”
Dr O Tuathail, from Connemara in Galway, also told how his own practice is extremely busy right now.
“It’s been a September like no other," he explained.
“It’s been the busiest September ever, August was one of the busiest months we’ve had as GPs.”
Looking ahead to the winter season, Dr O Tuathail hopes that mask-wearing may somewhat decrease the spread of all viral infections including colds and flus, as well as Covid-19.
But he added people must also get the flu vaccine to protect themselves as well as those around them.
“If people were to do one thing, it’s get the flu vaccine”, the medic advised.
“It’s so important, the flu can kill upwards of a thousand people every year”, he warned.
He stressed that those who are close contacts of at-risk groups such as an elderly family member or a person with an underlying condition should prioritise getting vaccinated this year.
“We’re heading into a winter like no other”, he cautioned.
And he slammed those who refuse to wear masks amid the ongoing crisis.
“Not wearing a mask is a really selfish act”, he said, adding that it was “very frustrating” to see.
Addressing people who still doubt the severity of the deadly virus, the doctor had a stark message.
“I’ve seen people die of Covid-19, I’ve had patients who died, had their loved ones die.
“Covid-19 is very real and it’s very here.”
