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From: Mark Vincent Healy Date: Sunday 18 October 2020 at 12:28 To: , , , , Fontelles, Maroš Šefčovič, Věra Jourová, Dubravka Šuica, , , , , , , , , , Didier, , , Janez Lenarčič, Adina Vălean, Olivér Várhelyi, , , Virginijus Sinkevičius, Christian LINDER, Mairead McGuinness, Mairead McGuinness MEP Cc: Barry Andrews MEP, Ciarán Cuffe MEP, MEP, Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan MEP, Chris MacManus MEP, Mairead McGuinness MEP, Maria Walsh MEP, MEP, MEP, Seán Kelly MEP, Grace O'Sullivan MEP, MEP Subject: 201018 - We can build back business after the storm. For now, let’s get through it together and lockdown.

EU Governments must resist pressure from the business lobby setting their business and livelihood interests over the lives of EU citizens

Collation of EU infections and deaths over the last 35 days compared to previous 6 month total figures - https://bit.ly/3jc1Z0B

Country 0 Infections Deaths Population D per 100K I per 100K 12-Sep 30,571 1,781 4,937,786 36.07 619.12 17-Oct 47,427 1,841 4,937,786 37.28 960.49 Increase: 16,856 60 0 1.22 341.37 % increase: 55.14% 3.37% 0.00% 3.37% 55.14% 12-Sep 2,548,661 183,758 513,189,859 35.81 496.63 TOTAL EU 17-Oct 4,693,576 199,649 513,189,859 38.90 914.59 Increase: 2,144,915 15,891 0 3.10 417.96 % increase: 84.16% 8.65% 0.00% 8.65% 84.16%

Reference: https://twitter.com/MarkVHealy/status/1317490667585720321

OPEN LETTER

Sunday, 18th October 2020

Dear Ms Von Der Leyen, EU Commissioners and Irish MEPs,

I am given cause to contact you at a time when other issues relating to the future of the European project and the exit of the play centre stage just at this epic moment in history. However, there are even more pressing issues facing the concerning COVID-19 and its long-term effects on the bonds of member states in the EU. I think there is nothing short of a gamble, a reckless gamble, at play where consideration of tinkering with clear and unambiguous lockdown is obscuring what is required if the rising figures of infection and deaths are not to suddenly rise and overwhelm us. From the data - https://bit.ly/3jc1Z0B, we can see some EU countries are doing better than others. However, we are all in this together and there are no medals of honour for those who fare better but in what we can do with and for each other facing peril.

Page 1 of 2 It is one thing to create funds aimed at shoring up the worst economic ravages of a pandemic none have conceived of, but the ambivalence of any leadership to consider economic wellbeing over life is missing the point of any human endeavour such as the European project to claim by unity that we are better off together. The aim of the EU was to forge a better life not for the sole purposes of economic prosperity but to bring an end to the sort of divisions in Europe which had taken the lives of an estimated 100 million people in World War I and World War II combined. Never Again! Here is the hour. What we do next changes the course of history. Clutch on to a purse of gold which may take you down or hold onto each other in doing right be each other. It is counter-intuitive to place others before yourself but that is our best path through this. Saving an economy without first saving the people will only exacerbate levels of distress already at fever pitch. I am shielding a vulnerable person who has not completed their cancer treatment. Their immune system needs repairing following their chemotherapy. They suffer from underlying respiratory issues, the loss of one lung and other complications which have taken their toll but they are responding well to treatments to date and I am hopeful for them. I do not write for any individual but for the many whose mental health is severely stressed, those who are frightened, distressed, worn out, and traumatised by loss, confusion and hopelessness already. Many have made huge sacrifices to date but it is not a time to lose the nerve to grasp at economic straws when human life must take priority. We can get through this together, in whatever we must do together, and rebuild what needs must together. I don’t know about you Madam President but when you weight up all your life and are asked what does it all mean, you like everyone else will say you are what you are because of those closest to you. Your family, parents, your husband, your children are what makes it all worthwhile. Save our lives as EU citizens and those dear to us and you will forever have our hearts and gratitude. Business is what we do, people are what we live for. I truly hope you and the make the right choices moving forward, reminding us all why we have to dig deep and commit ourselves to each other and act together in unity of purpose to save lives. We can build back business in Europe after the storm. For now, let’s get through it together and lockdown where necessary following over 2 million new infections and 16 thousand deaths in the EU in the last 35 days - https://bit.ly/3jc1Z0B. There has been an 84% increase in new infections compared to the previous 6 months. Issuing advisories to member states in receipt of EU COVID-19 support funding would be wise. May you and yours stay well. Seriously and sincerely, Mark Vincent Healy

Mark Vincent Healy Council of Survivors, RISN, ECA Survivor Campaigner seeking ‘Rescue Services’ and ‘Safe Space Provisioning’ for survivors of clerical child sexual abuse Email: [email protected] Mobile: +353-87-6374006

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