Back in March, as the UK government pursued "herd immunity", the Irish government imposed an early lockdown to save lives. Excellent piece by @CaelainnH on why Ireland is enduring far fewer coronavirus deaths than Britain. https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2020/04/ireland-coronavirus-testing-deaths-government

"Even allowing for the population difference, Ireland having 4.9 million people and the UK 66.65 million, the death rate per capita in the UK is still twice that in Ireland." https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2020/04/ireland-coronavirus-testing-deaths-government