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Study confirms correlation


"Anyone who is still smoking these days should stop immediately," said the health spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), Dr. med. Peter Liese.  For weeks now, the doctor has been drawing attention to the correlation between smoking and a possibly severe course of corona disease. Now Liese's fears have been supported in a study published in the "European Respiratory Journal": "There are many indications that smoking is one of the major risk factors for being much more severely affected by the corona virus that could even lead to death".

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Calls for Corona-App: Never say never!


"In the Corona crisis we face a dramatic dilemma. Many people are suffering from the restrictions, and for the economy the restrictions, which now remain in force for quite some time are already a bitter blow. Unfortunately, however, I am convinced that it is not possible to reopen a significant number of institutions such as schools, universities and shops as normal without lamenting hundreds of thousands of deaths in Europe, including in countries that have not yet been so badly affected.  A close look at Italy and even more so at Spain should be a warning example to all those who believe that the danger posed by the coronavirus is currently overestimated. The situation in Spain in particular is dramatic, although nobody expected this 3-4 weeks ago", said MEP Peter Liese explains.

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Health spokespersons from all political groups in the European Parliament write to the Member States


Peter Liese: For Europe it is about all or nothing


In a joint letter, the coordinators of all political groups in the Health Committee of the European Parliament have addressed the EU Member States in order to invoke European solidarity due to the dramatic situation in some Member States, MEP Peter Liese, spokesperson for health of the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP - Christian Democrats) explains. The principle of solidarity is a foundational value of the European Union, enshrined in its Treaties. Solidarity means that Member States shall join their forces in case of necessity and help each other.

Member States with sufficient medical capacity will be called upon to support those whose health systems are currently overburdened by the COVID 19 pandemic. The instruments provided by the Commission for this purpose are explicitly praised, and these should now be used and applied by the Member States.

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Full support for the proposal - We need as much help as possible for patients fighting for their lives
 

The European Commission today (Friday) adopted a proposal to postpone the date of application of the medical devices regulation by one year to 26 May 2021. MEP Peter Liese, EPP spokesperson for health expects a broad majority in favour of the proposal within an urgency procedure in the European Parliament.
 
"I fully support the proposal presented by the Commission today. Doctors and medical staff are fighting for the lives of patients all over Europe. To do this, they urgently need medical devices, for example ventilators. The companies that manufacture these devices simply do not have time for long, bureaucratic procedures. It is therefore right that the European Commission has now proposed to postpone the more complicated rules of the new Medical Devices Regulation by one year. What we don´t need now is bureaucracy and paperwork, but fast procedures and as much help as possible for patients fighting for their lives," Liese said.

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