That a man was escorted off a flight from Moscow at Dublin Airport on Saturday night after showing signs of coronavirus underlines that 2020 actuality. Fellow passengers say they were kept on the plane for two hours while medics in hazmat suits took the man away. It may be a case of when, rather than if, coronavirus reaches this island — but every effort should be made to prevent it reaching Ireland. It maybe slightly facetious — just — to suggest we should treat coronavirus just as we treated the threat posed by foot and mouth disease to the national herd two decades ago. That disciplined, concerted effort saved the day.

Source: Irish Examiner February 02, 2020 19:30 UTC