Madam, - I write to express my surprise and concern at the decision of the Department of Health which, in effect, prevent athletes from some SARS-affected countries attending the Special Olympics here next month. This decision will damage Ireland.
SARS represents a real threat to human health, and public concern about this new disease is understandable. However, there is no justification, on either scientific or public health grounds, for singling out these athletes. This is a group which would be very easy to check and monitor, for example by regular visits from a nurse or doctor in the host towns. The Special Olympics have many medically trained volunteers (including myself), and I believe we could respond adequately to this challenge.
By contrast, there is no proposal to check or monitor, much less exclude, the many other visitors from SARS-affected areas who arrive here each day. I do not suggest that we should exclude these visitors, but rather I wish to indicate the incoherence of the Government's policy.
I fear the Department is acting on poor advice, and I hope that it will have the courage to reconsider its decision.
This episode highlights the urgency of resolving the public health doctors' dispute, and again entrusting the management of such issues to the public health experts at the National Disease Surveillance Centre. - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY STAINES, Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology, UCD, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2.
**********
Madam, - The decision of Mr Micheál Martin and the Department of Health to ask athletes from five countries not to attend the Special Olympics World Games is disgraceful.
SARS has received coverage that exceeds its reality and the response of the Government is knee-jerk and cowardly. If this is the degree of leadership that Mr Martin is capable of, there seems little hope for our health service.
I am a volunteer for the Special Olympics and also part of a host family for athletes' relatives. We have been looking forward to the chance to be involved in a fantastic occasion. This is the biggest sporting event in the world this year and was a chance for Ireland to demonstrate its ability and confidence to the world. Tragically, the small-minded fears of faceless experts and gutless politicians are demeaning the event and damaging Ireland's image around the world.
The craven response of Fine Gael to the Government decision explains why Labour is now regarded as the only viable Opposition.
There is time for the Government to limit the damage and reverse this decision. Will they listen to the wishes of the people on this occasion? - Yours, etc.,
JOHN O'HALLORAN, Killeen Avenue, Malahide, Co Dublin.
**********
Madam, - The Minister for Health is covering his SARS. - Yours, etc.,
MARTIN HILLIARD, Crannagh Road, Dublin 14.