EU institutions are on lockdown and, while politics goes online, those with medical training are heading to the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
\"I'm working again as a medical doctor in a private practice where I practised until the end of 2002 so it's quite a long time ago,\" German MEP Peter Liese told Euronews over Skype.<\/p>\n
He gives a quick sweep of the room to show the medical equipment at the cabinet practice in Germany, where, he explains, he does the 'easy stuff', such as taking blood samples.<\/p>\n
Another former doctor and MEP is Chrysoula Zacharopoulou from France. These days she is working at a military hospital near Paris. Seeing the crisis up close, gives her some perspective on the EU's response.<\/p>\n
\"In the face of such a huge sanitary crisis, it's normal that we didn't have the right answer at the start. But now, I think, the Commission, the institutions, using modern technology, have stepped up to the plate. I think that we do see European solidarity.\"<\/p>\n
Having a medical background has helped these MEPs see what is needed to protect public health, across borders. Peter Liese says he had already encouraged the Commission to create a contact point where all hospitals that still have capacity could be registered when they are ready to accept patients from abroad.<\/p>\n
Both doctors are reluctant to say when life can go back to normal. They acknowledge that lockdowns are difficult for everyone, but emphasise the need to stay put a little bit longer.<\/p>\n
\"Let's be humble and patient. Let's respect the instructions and stay and home - out of respect for care-givers, for ourselves and society,\" insists Zacharopoulou.<\/p>\n
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Originally posted here: <\/p>\n
Meet the MEPs returning to medicine amid the coronavirus pandemic - Euronews<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" EU institutions are on lockdown and, while politics goes online, those with medical training are heading to the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. \"I'm working again as a medical doctor in a private practice where I practised until the end of 2002 so it's quite a long time ago,\" German MEP Peter Liese told Euronews over Skype. Continue reading