Limerick man leading New York's battle with Covid-19

The Irish man leading New York’s response to the coronavirus crisis has told of how the challenging circumstances have led to innovations such as two patients using the one ventilator.

Michael Dowling, who is originally from Knockaderry, Co Limerick, is chief executive of Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York state, operating 23 hospitals and almost 800 outpatient facilities.

“In a crisis like this people have become very innovative,” he told RTÉ Radio’s News at One.

Among the innovations are the sharing of ventilators by patients and converting bypass machines into ventilators, he explained.

Mr Dowling warned that the decision to end the lockdown should not be a political one. If it was lifted too quickly it could mean a recurrence of the virus and that would be “a huge problem.”

I believe in keeping the current policies in place until it is clear there is a flattening of the curve, then we can get back to business.

He said he believed the timing of the decision should be based on science.

Mr Dowling added that he believed the virus will change society, “it will change us, it will change how we live, how we work, it will change how we relate.

“When this is over a good portion of people who are now working from home will continue to work from home.

“This will make us realise how much we take for granted.

Going through this experience will make us realise we are very fortunate. How fortunate we are under normal circumstances.

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