MEP Sara Cerdas has questioned the European Commission about what mechanisms are being developed to enable preparation by European Union Member States for a possible second wave of the coronavirus.
The MEP considers that the early days of the pandemic showed some constraints on the part of the European Union in managing the outbreak, from which lessons for the future can be drawn, and led her to question what complementary measures the European Commission and Member States are preparing for the prevention and containment of a possible pandemic second phase.
She went on to say that recently the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the high probability of a second wave. The summer season is now upon us and the influx of visitors is set to increase, although at a lower rate than usual. So although the risk of transmitting the virus from outside sources is lowered, a second wave may coincide with the annual flu season. If this is the case, we can only succeed if we have a united Europe, with a coordinated European response in conjunction with our global partners, who have learned the lessons from the first outbreak and created strategies to cope with a second global outbreak. To do this, the European Commission must present a robust strategy for all Member States to adhere to.
On a related issue, she also asked if any action is being undertaken to mitigate the consequences of overcrowding on health services to avoid this situation. It is important to safeguard the working conditions of health professionals, many of whom were overburdened with the fight against Covid-19.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
