The prom (COVID closed 31 March 2020, reopened 18 May)

Whereisgalway

Drove by the prom, in fairness the council have put up signs it up to people to respect the social distancing. People of Galway we really are embarrassing ourselves, I seen runners going in groups of three, people stopping for chats bunched intogether, cyclists on the footpath forcing people in closer together, dogs off leads pooing and sniffing everyone and thing, a group of teenager playing frisbee on the green and to my horror a circuits class been carried out in the play ground. Not a garda in sight. They really need to patrol or close the prom to footfall

pure.conya

Whereisgalway wrote: »

Drove by the prom, in fairness the council have put up signs it up to people to respect the social distancing. People of Galway we really are embarrassing ourselves, I seen runners going in groups of three, people stopping for chats bunched intogether, cyclists on the footpath forcing people in closer together, dogs off leads pooing and sniffing everyone and thing, a group of teenager playing frisbee on the green and to my horror a circuits class been carried out in the play ground. Not a garda in sight. They really need to patrol or close the prom to footfall

thats just human stupidity, nothing exclusively Galway about it, I'm slowly warming to the notion of nanny state, there really are some ridiculously stupid people among us

Whereisgalway

A formal request has been submitted to Galway City Council this evening to close off Salthill Prom, Eyre Square and other areas where large crowds can gather, in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19.

It comes after thousands of people took to the Prom, Silverstrand and other parts of the city today – after concerns had already been raised by Council officials.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/connachttribune.ie/galway-city-council-asked-to-shut-salthill-promenade-and-eyre-square/amp/

Ashleigh1986

Most people are sheep .
They all think the same .
It's a lovely day ... Let's go walk the prom .
These sheep can't think outside the box .
The same ones that panic bought in the supermarkets are the same sheep walking the prom .
The same sheep that can't get enough of Christmas shopping .

Diabhal Beag

Expecting the types who swing open their doors without looking at oncoming traffic to demonstrate consideration for the greater public will always fail.

Mrs OBumble

Whereisgalway wrote: »

A formal request has been submitted to Galway City Council this evening to close off Salthill Prom, Eyre Square and other areas where large crowds can gather, in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19.

It comes after thousands of people took to the Prom, Silverstrand and other parts of the city today – after concerns had already been raised by Council officials.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/connachttribune.ie/galway-city-council-asked-to-shut-salthill-promenade-and-eyre-square/amp/

So no crowds actually have gathered at Eyre Square (which is a whacking big open area, and cannot be easily closed off without disrupting public transport access anyway - but "they" are wanting it closed off.

How about the front of the County Council building (I saw a crowd there yesterday)? The council buildings? The docks? Rahoon Cemetery?

JoeA3

A huge percentage of people are just a bit stupid, inconsiderate and blissfully unaware of anything outside their own bubble tbh. As per above, they're everywhere, those people who'll swing doors open into your path, who'll swing their car door into yours leaving a nice dent, etc...

I think the Government can advise and plead until the cows come home, but it'll take this pandemic to actually reach many people's own doors (their own loved ones become seriously ill or worse) before the penny finally drops.

Whereisgalway

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

How about the front of the County Council building (I saw a crowd there yesterday)? The council buildings? The docks? Rahoon Cemetery?

It’s not the same & you know that aswell

Fitz*

Closing off public places like the prom is now a need because idiots are being idiots.

The Garda were called to Lahinch today in Clare and Banna in Kerry. Kilkee was also busy and so was Spanish Point beach. Apparently a lot of 'foreign' county reg plates. Achill island is having similar problems with non-locals driving there.

Why are people actually doing this? If you want the kids to get fresh air, bring them to one of the many public GAA pitches that are not being used now and easier to implement social distancing, instead of bringing them to one of the busiest places in the county.

Mrs OBumble

Whereisgalway wrote: »

It’s not the same & you know that aswell

I don't.

The largest group I saw yesterday were the Roma having their sleep / team-meeting outside County Hall. Am really not sure why the guards haven't got rid of them yet, as happened last summer.

Now I totally believe that dummies were mingling on the prom. And I had to go to the supermarket, and was not amused by just how close some people got.

But I cannot see that it's feasible to "close" spaces which are wide open with multiple entry/exit points.

And if congregating is to be a crime, it needs to be not allowed anywhere, not just on popular places.

youngrun

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I don't.

The largest group I saw yesterday were the Roma having their sleep / team-meeting outside County Hall. Am really not sure why the guards haven't got rid of them yet, as happened last summer.

Now I totally believe that dummies were mingling on the prom. And I had to go to the supermarket, and was not amused by just how close some people got.

But I cannot see that it's feasible to "close" spaces which are wide open with multiple entry/exit points.

And if congregating is to be a crime, it needs to be not allowed anywhere, not just on popular places.

Sounds like we are walking ourselves into martial law .

Why not follow Ryans advice from WHO and isolate contacts and vulnerable groups for 14 days and put a cap on virus as opposed to a total lockdown

How long realistically can a lockdown last without severe physical and mental health consequences eg domestic incidents, suicide, mass depression, death through general ill health and loneliness, and wider civil unrest and worse? hard to see longer than a month before deaths under such a scenario start mounting rapidly.

biko

youngrun wrote: »

How long realistically can a lockdown last without severe physical and mental health consequences eg domestic incidents, suicide, mass depression, death through general ill health and loneliness, and wider civil unrest and worse? hard to see longer than a month before deaths under such a scenario start mounting rapidly.

A very long time indeed.
People have been in isolation (proper isolation) for very long times and managed to bounce back.
Or in direct provision for months on end.

Even if it is boring people need to stay inside, for others sake.
They won't die form lack of exercise, but they could actually die from COVID19.
The internet is really a helper during these times, you can still chat to others daily, just not meet in person.

French police patrol the streets challenging anyone caught outside. Maybe we need that too.

biko

Free things you can access over the internet
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058063358

jam83

I think there's a bit of generalisation going on with the accusing everyone who goes to a popular place as an idiot.
Having really young kids it's really hard to stay indoors all day. If they're cranky an hour can feel like a day. Putting them in a buggy and walking on a beach should be fine.
I understand if the prom is packed then people shouldn't all still pile out of their cars but why don't the council and government bloody give everyone a long list of places to go? Why don't they force all local sports pitches to stay open so people have alternatives? **** the insurance thing, every pitch has public liability insurance. If they close all the most popular spots then the local towns and villages will be thronged with people just trying to get some fresh air and the same problem exists. Give us a list of alternatives.

what_traffic

One solution.
Just widen the footpath by removing the seaside car parking along the length of the prom or else just close the road so that have even a wider footpath.

_Whimsical_

youngrun wrote: »

Sounds like we are walking ourselves into martial law .

Why not follow Ryans advice from WHO and isolate contacts and vulnerable groups for 14 days and put a cap on virus as opposed to a total lockdown

How long realistically can a lockdown last without severe physical and mental health consequences eg domestic incidents, suicide, mass depression, death through general ill health and loneliness, and wider civil unrest and worse? hard to see longer than a month before deaths under such a scenario start mounting rapidly.

God, people live through wars for years, fight in wars for years, find their lives and homes in ruins after natural disasters that take years to recover from, people end up isolated due to illness and disability everyday around us.

We are being asked to stay at home in comfort with tv, internet and phones. The alternative we are being presented with is the mass death of loved ones, hospitals too busy to save us if we've had car crashes etc, medical staff forced to risk their lives to help us.

We really can do this for as long as it takes. If we are all keeling over after a month for want of a coffee and having the chats in the pub or the prom etc, God help us.
We'll know all about depression if deaths are anything like projected even in midrange scenarios and if we have a repeat of italy.

_Whimsical_

jam83 wrote: »

I think there's a bit of generalisation going on with the accusing everyone who goes to a popular place as an idiot.
Having really young kids it's really hard to stay indoors all day. If they're cranky an hour can feel like a day. Putting them in a buggy and walking on a beach should be fine.
I understand if the prom is packed then people shouldn't all still pile out of their cars but why don't the council and government bloody give everyone a long list of places to go? Why don't they force all local sports pitches to stay open so people have alternatives? **** the insurance thing, every pitch has public liability insurance. If they close all the most popular spots then the local towns and villages will be thronged with people just trying to get some fresh air and the same problem exists. Give us a list of alternatives.

People have alternatives.
There's fresh air outside your front door and a footpath, walk on it, follow it , take a different route everyday. Admire the houses you pass etc.

We do not need to go the prettiest nicest places or have people working to tell us where to find them.

What we need is functioning hospitals, medical staff who are healthy and not utterly overwhelmed and exhausted not working in an environment so chaotic they're likely to get sick and die themselves, our vulnerable friends and relations not dying very difficult deaths.

48% of those hospitalised at the weekend were under 54.

We have a very limited amount of ICU beds.

If that's those stats continue we won't even be able to save all those under 54.We need to seriously isolate now and try prevent hospital overcrowding.

We have no other need greater than this right now.

beardybrewer

The internet tide is roaring against anyone leaving the house for a walk although the HSE said it was okay just a week ago. We went to Wind Park yesterday figuring it might be quiet. It wasn't. Car park full but as far as them all being idiots did they all park at the same time? We went a mile up the road and managed to social distance the entire walk very aware to touch nothing. Last week this was probably okay but this week I've a feeling the internet is not okay with this... right?

_Whimsical_

beardybrewer wrote: »

The internet tide is roaring against anyone leaving the house for a walk although the HSE said it was okay just a week ago. We went to Wind Park yesterday figuring it might be quiet. It wasn't. Car park full but as far as them all being idiots did they all park at the same time? We went a mile up the road and managed to social distance the entire walk very aware to touch nothing. Last week this was probably okay but this week I've a feeling the internet is not okay with this... right?

No one has a problem with people going for walks or leaving the house.
There's only a problem with going to densely crowded places. Walk all you possibly can at a safe distance from others in locations that aren't packed. The HSE assumed that's what people would do.

biko

Just keep your distance

flynnlives

they should just close the road from Grattan road right up to Blackrock.

Then people will have plenty of space to walk the prom.

They do it for storms so why not this event.

Fitz*

The guidelines have been to stay inside and avoid all unnecessary travel. Go outside your house for a walk if you need fresh air and exercise, but only do it with people you are sharing a house with.

The guidelines were not 'get in your car and drive to a busy hotspot and then walk alongside hundreds of others'.

Wicklow has closed public parks and walks today.
https://twitter.com/FergalBowers/status/1242113528162639873

youngrun

biko wrote: »

A very long time indeed.
People have been in isolation (proper isolation) for very long times and managed to bounce back.
Or in direct provision for months on end.

Even if it is boring people need to stay inside, for others sake.
They won't die form lack of exercise, but they could actually die from COVID19.
The internet is really a helper during these times, you can still chat to others daily, just not meet in person.

French police patrol the streets challenging anyone caught outside. Maybe we need that too.

I disagree I dont think anyones long term health is helped by being locked down. What about all the mind your mental health talk wheres that gone.

Whats the point of being alive if you are locked inside for months or years ??

I dont see a future for people in that

JoeA3

youngrun wrote: »

I disagree I dont think anyones long term health is helped by being locked down. What about all the mind your mental health talk wheres that gone.

Whats the point of being alive if you are locked inside for months or years ??

I dont see a future for people in that

I tend to agree with you, so lets hope it isn't endless months of this we're facing. Mental health issues and the economy - which will be in tatters - concerns me greatly.

flynnlives

Get a grip!

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a cell 7-by-9-foot in size.

biko

youngrun wrote: »

I disagree I dont think anyones long term health is helped by being locked down.

I don't think anyone think it helps.

youngrun wrote: »

Whats the point of being alive if you are locked inside for months or years ??

You are not locked inside, it's not a prison. You can go outside any time you want.
The government is telling you not socialise in groups. The best way to do this is to remain indoors.

I understand your concerns but there are people's physical well-being at stake here.

Mrs OBumble

youngrun wrote: »

I disagree I dont think anyones long term health is helped by being locked down. What about all the mind your mental health talk wheres that gone.

Whats the point of being alive if you are locked inside for months or years ??

I dont see a future for people in that

Your grandparents were asked to go to war.

You are being asked to sit on your sofa.

You CAN do this, honest.

Whereisgalway

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Your grandparents were asked to go to war.

You are being asked to sit on your sofa.

You CAN do this, honest.

You should quote pier morgan when you plajorise his work

https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1258889/Piers-Morgan-fury-coronavirus-advice-ignored-tourist-Good-Morning-Britain-ITV-video

flazio

There is one more concern about asking people, especially lower classes to lock themselves away in their houses indefinitely.
Domestic violence.

Ashleigh1986

The gardai had to go to a McDonald's in Dublin today to tell them to close their drive tru .
Why ???
The traffic it was causing because the muppets were getting their last Big Mac before mcdonalds closes .
What da fxxk ????

Mrs OBumble

flazio wrote: »

There is one more concern about asking people, especially lower classes to lock themselves away in their houses indefinitely.
Domestic violence.

Domestic violence is not restricted to any particular class.

Yes, it is an issue, the rate will go up. But on the other hand, any amount of it is unacceptable. Social conditions that allow people to live amid lower levels of domestic violence, instead of forcing them to confront the need to leave, are as damaging.

Whereisgalway wrote: »

You should quote pier morgan when you plajorise his work

https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1258889/Piers-Morgan-fury-coronavirus-advice-ignored-tourist-Good-Morning-Britain-ITV-video

Everyone knows it's a quote. I have no idea who said it first.

Whereisgalway

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Everyone knows it's a quote. I have no idea who said it first.

Everyone knows to stay at home aswell but look what’s happening

Nua

what_traffic wrote: »

One solution.
Just widen the footpath by removing the seaside car parking along the length of the prom or else just close the road so that have even a wider footpath.

I think this is a great idea - would stop the ice cream & coffee vans too, email your councillors before they just close the car parks & eejits will park on the grass/yellow lines/pedestrian crossings like any busy sunny summer's day

sasal

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Your grandparents were asked to go to war.

You are being asked to sit on your sofa.

You CAN do this, honest.

Odd quote to use in a traditionally neutral country.
Can we not just ask people to stay in without using blitz spirit nonsense?

ChewyLouie

City Council...

To support #SocialDistancing & reduce visitor numbers to the area, the main Salthill carpark on the Prom is now closed and Toft Park carpark will close on Tuesday.
#COVIDー19

ChewyLouie

ChewyLouie wrote: »

City Council...

https://twitter.com/GalwayCityCo/status/1242209121463676929?s=19

Space Dog

Deleted User wrote: »

https://twitter.com/GalwayCityCo/status/1242209121463676929?s=19

Queue everyone parking on double yellows and in estates near the Prom...

saabsaab

Some activity on the prom. Is it closed or being refurbished?

Mr Man

youngrun wrote: »

I disagree I dont think anyones long term health is helped by being locked down. What about all the mind your mental health talk wheres that gone.

Whats the point of being alive if you are locked inside for months or years ??

I dont see a future for people in that

No-one is going to be locked in for years, but even if they were I think the vast majority of people would prefer to stay alive.

youngrun

Mr Man wrote: »

No-one is going to be locked in for years, but even if they were I think the vast majority of people would prefer to stay alive.

How do you know it wont go on ? No vaccine likely for 18 months so quite likely to be a long term . Will people really like to stay in lockdown that long ?

I cant see anything other than doom ahead and a pointless existence

pure.conya

youngrun wrote: »

How do you know it wont go on ? No vaccine likely for 18 months so quite likely to be a long term . Will people really like to stay in lockdown that long ?

I cant see anything other than doom ahead and a pointless existence

You're already off your rocker if you think this is going to go on so long

Whereisgalway

pure.conya wrote: »

You're already off your rocker if you think this is going to go on so long

How long is your prediction?

Barney92

Sorry to drag the topic back to salthill prom but has anyone heard exactly how much of it is closed? Is it from Blackrock to near the aquarium or does it extend all the way to the Claddagh? The signage isn't very clear on what is allowed and what isn't really. The electronic sign saying prom closed is near Darcy Roundabout which suggests to me that it is from there towards Blackrock. I'm not trying to get around the closure or anything, just that I live near the aquarium and want to know where I can go and abide by restrictions whilst still being able to exercise.

I was on the phone to the city council and the local garda station who each indicated that the other would be where to find exact information.

Bredabe

Barney92 wrote: »

Sorry to drag the topic back to salthill prom but has anyone heard exactly how much of it is closed? Is it from Blackrock to near the aquarium or does it extend all the way to the Claddagh? The signage isn't very clear on what is allowed and what isn't really. The electronic sign saying prom closed is near Darcy Roundabout which suggests to me that it is from there towards Blackrock. I'm not trying to get around the closure or anything, just that I live near the aquarium and want to know where I can go and abide by restrictions whilst still being able to exercise.

I was on the phone to the city council and the local garda station who each indicated that the other would be where to find exact information.

There are no signs or blockages on Dr Colaghan Rd(sp)/Grattan Rd last night, there were ppl walking in the park and parking at the aquarium.

From what we could figure out, its from the side of seapoint to the diving boards,

zell12

The entire Prom, associated walkways and beaches all along are closed.
https://twitter.com/GalwayCityCo/status/1243669887525908480?s=20

zell12

They can't close the Prom anyway, like Silverstrand

Barney92

Cheers for that zell, I saw that but what is the entire prom is what I'm trying to clarify. Because when onto the city council they suggested that it could be either all the way to the claddagh or from around the aquarium to the diving area.

zell12

In practice, it's to stop people driving to the Prom, sure just walk along anyway within 2km of home of course, and walkers keep to the right!

And The Prom goes South Park-Blackrock

ratracer

zell12 wrote: »

In practice, it's to stop people driving to the Prom, sure just walk along anyway within 2km of home of course, and walkers keep to the right!

And The Prom goes from South Park-Blackrock

Why don’t people stay to the left, the same side as we drive? Would make more sense?

zell12

ratracer wrote: »

Why don’t people stay to the left, the same side as we drive? Would make more sense?

Well no, because we drive on left, walkers face oncoming traffic so they can be blinded by fog lights and the driver can see the face of the person they are about to hit

biko

Posts moved from general covid thread to this because they deal with prom and there is already a prom thread on the first page.

Please keep this thread for the prom, and the general COVID thread for everything else.