Since the ending of Covid-19 restrictions recently, people have been getting on with their lives. Ireland is alive again. But many people are also moving on with continued caution too, wearing masks when out and about and avoiding crowded places, or risky environments.
With the rise in cases recently, this week has seen divided opinion among doctors, some experts and politicians on whether Ireland moved too fast to ease restrictions, given the severe pressures on the health system.
After its meeting on Monday, the Emergency Department Task Force wrote to the Minister for Health calling for a meeting of public health experts to consider a return to mandatory mask wearing.
On Thursday, both the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) called for a return of the mask mandate, for around 4-8 weeks, to reduce cases and relieve the pressures on hospitals.