Sammy Wilson questions scientific evidence and accuses pro-maskers of ‘blackmail’

Robin Swann says wearing a mask shows people emerging from shielding that we care

View email online

News   What's On   Lifestyle              Jul 29, 2020           Dear reader With the clock ticking on the return to schools in Northern Ireland, pressure is mounting on Education Minister Peter Weir.  Mr Weir's party colleague Carla Lockhart has added to comments from both the SDLP and Sinn Fein who have asked for clarity about the return of schools from August 24.  Encouragingly, Mr Weir confirmed in the Assembly that a return to "full-time" schooling is on course for September. This should be welcomed by parents of children across the Province, who have been deprived of classroom time since March.  Northern Ireland has recorded a 16th day without a death related to Covid-19. The death toll in Northern Ireland related to coronavirus remains at 556.  In addition another nine positive tests for the virus were recorded over the previous 24 hours. Almost 140,000 people have so far been tested for the virus in Northern Ireland with 5,930 found positive. Five people are in hospital and two in intensive care. There are five care homes dealing with an outbreak.   Stay safe Alistair Bushe Editor   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Sammy Wilson questions scientific evidence and accuses pro-maskers of 'blackmail' and scaremongering           East Antrim MP, Sammy Wilson, says he doubts the scientific evidence that is being used by Health Minister, Robin Swann, to introduce the mandatory wearing of face-coverings in shops and other public places in Northern Ireland.                 Worst hit Coronavirus areas in NI revealed by new Nisra report   The Northern Ireland council area worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic is Antrim and Newtownabbey, new figures show.           Don't assume the worst if you see someone not wearing a mask; they may have a good reason   With face masks now mandatory on public transport here, and as we head towards mandatory wearing of face masks in all shops in Northern Ireland from 20 August, it cannot be restated, reminded, and repeated enough – not everyone can wear one.           I went from Johannesburg to Co Tyrone... and didn't have to wear a mask   On Monday 20 July my wife and I landed at Dublin International Airport after flying from Amsterdam.           100 Belfast city centre restaurants offering up to £10 off meals in August 'Eat Out To Help Out'   This is the list of 100 restaurants close to Belfast city centre who are participating in the scheme           Family's joy after anonymous £40k donation towards schoolgirl's spinal surgery   A Carrickfergus mum has told of her delight after an anonymous donation of £40k towards her daughter's spinal surgery.           Government should consider shorter quarantine and testing for returning travellers   The government's action over the weekend, when it suddenly imposed a 14-day quarantine on all UK travellers returning from Spain, has the potential to be the final nail in the coffin of large parts of our travel industry.           Tracey targets staycationers for the the many unique tastes of Ulster   Tour operator and baker Tracey Jeffrey had hoped to be teaching hundreds of American, Canadian and European visitors how to handcraft traditional Northern Irish soda and potato breads this summer at her farmhouse bakery overlooking Strangford Lough in Killinchy.                 View more on Coronavirus

Please note Due to the unprecedented nature of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic we have launched this new daily newsletter to keep you up to date with the latest official information and advice. How to opt out of these emails We are sending these daily Coronavirus email bulletins in addition to our daily newsletter emails. If you would like to opt out of only these additional Public Interest emails, and continue to receive your regular daily newsletters, please click here.         You have received this email as you have an account on the News Letter, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. To manage your individual newsletter preferences with us, please click here and log in to your account.     Alternatively you can update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive from JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, or unsubscribe from all future emails.     JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with registered number 11499982, having its registered address at 1, King Street, London, England, EC2V 8AU, United Kingdom. We will process your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy.