Jolande Sap, from Venlo, is the intended chair of the Social Impact Team (MIT).
That committee must advise the cabinet on the consequences of corona measures for society and the economy. “The Social Impact Team is also free to give unsolicited advice,” said Minister Ernst Kuipers (Public Health).
Consequences and support
MIT will be located next to the Outbreak Management Team (OMT). That team advises what is medically necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible. In recent times, the role of the OMT in the fight against the pandemic has been criticized. For example, the OMT would not have paid enough attention to the consequences of measures and support among the population.
Broad advice
Suppose the OMT will soon advise the introduction of a lockdown and the MIT advises not to do so, Kuipers says, “will listen to both, and the decision depends on the situation at the moment. The cabinet values broader advice. ” According to Kuipers, the advice of the OMT is “an advice, and not a sacred guideline that must be followed”.
Social and political experience
It is not yet known who will be on the team with Sap. She must set up the committee and approach potential members. According to the Minister of Social Affairs Karien van Gennip, the choice fell on the Limburg Sap “because of her social and political experience”.
Sap was in the House of Representatives from 2008 to 2012, the last two years as chairman of the GroenLinks faction. After her retirement from politics, she became president of the NPHF Federation of Health. She is currently a board member of the Dutch Emissions Authority.