Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 16°CMonday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CoronavirusDerry CityHealthNews

Derry GP turned politician hits out at mask ‘state of fear’

written by John September 29, 2020
ShareTweet

A DERRY GP turned politician has accused the Government of creating a climate of fear over face coverings.

Dr Anne McCloskey said she has yet to see any evidence to confirm their use in preventing the spread of Coronavirus.

The Aontu councillor, who sits on Derry City and Strabane District Council, said that coupled with mass testing, the community is being “whipped up into a state of terror”.

She was speaking after one of Derry’s best known hotels was forced to close temporarily after three members of staff tested positive for the virus.

The Bishop’s Gate Hotel shut its doors at noon yesterday and will not reopen until Wednesday at 5 pm.

Guildhall Taphouse and the city’s Metro Bar were also affected.

But Dr McCloskey, who has previously voiced her opposition to face coverings, said there is still no evidence that they are beneficial in helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“No risk assessment has been done,” she said, “and to date I have not seen any concrete evidence that face coverings are of any benefit.

“Yes, the number in the country of those being infected is increasing, but hospitals are not being overrun and the number of deaths is nowhere near the scale of March/April.

“The policy on face coverings is creating a culture of fear in the community.”

Dr McCloskey was last week contacted by the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) after comparing using masks to stop the spread of the virus to “using a sheep fence to keep out mosquitoes”.

But she said she will not change her views until hard evidence says otherwise.

“I am not in COVID-denial, but I have seen no evidence yet that face coverings are in any way helpful to prevent the spread,” she said.

“But we have created a state of terror in the community which is counter productive,” added Dr McCloskey, who served as a GP in Shantallow.

“Instead, we are allowing people to come later to hospital with serious illnesses like cancer, strokes, heart disease when they could easily have had much earlier treatment.

“COVID-19 has been painted as the grim reaper cutting a swathe through society on a second wave.

“There are other, crucial medical emergencies we need to be dealing with,” added Dr McCloskey.

Derry GP turned politician hits out at mask ‘state of fear’ was last modified: September 29th, 2020 by John

Tags:
AontuCoronavirusDerry and Strabane CouncilDerry GP turned politician hits out at mask 'state of fear'DR ANNE MCCLOSKEYGeneral Medical Councilshantallow
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Man charged to court over Derry drugs...

15 hours ago

Rory Gallagher Festival gets green light for...

16 hours ago

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

1 day ago

Funeral of mother and daughter killed in...

1 day ago

Man arrested over Class C drugs seizure...

1 day ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

2 days ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

2 days ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

2 days ago

Derry priest faces seven more child sex...

2 days ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy