Dr. Leo Varadkar rejoins the health service

Pintman Paddy Losty

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coronavirus-varadkar-returns-to-practising-medicine-to-help-during-crisis-1.4221463

He really has come in to his own as a leader. He really is a great example. Especially when you compare him to other world leaders.

I'm sure the usual "bots" who can't see pass their nose for hatred of FG will be along to cry PR stunt or whatever, but thats just par for the course with the men who have all the questions and none of the answers.

I have to just say, fair play leo, hope you inspire others to do what they can.

Stanford

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

Slim Charles

Stanford wrote: »

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

Vlad is so clever, what a clever thing to call him. Ho!

emo72

Stanford wrote: »

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

ahhh, im no fan of his. but seriously, dont be putting the boot in. theres no need.

MAJJ

Stanford wrote: »

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

Did FG not agree with FF to rotate the role of Taoiseach with Martin going first?

ednwireland

Stanford wrote: »

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

why would he start now ?

Tzardine

Not a fan of the man at all.

But I say fair play to him. Health service is under serious pressure and likely to get worse. Every little helps.

People will sh1t on him just because.

elperello

A shift a week will not impact on his ability to do the day job.

Previous incumbents managed to spend their free time on race courses, in expensive restaurants etc. and do the job.

Amirani

Stanford wrote: »

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

The more that anyone capable can help out, the better. My partner who is a frontline doctor is certainly greatful for the support, however little.

It's almost certainly more than you are doing.

nigeldaniel

I think it's great that Leo has stepped up so much. He will be in the history books for a long time to come. A real hands-on type of guy.

Lonesomerhodes

Its like one of those hunzo bunzo instagram wannabe types who do a stint collecting for the homeless one night and instagram and facebook it to death to show their virtue to the World for the next few years.

Shameless publicity stunt.

The man wants to stay put in his job as Taoisesch and knows how to play the media and public like a fiddle.

Selfless Saint Leo is the message being pushed here.

chicken foot

I did not vote FG

I am not a FG BOT/Shill/Blueshirt or any other variation.

I quite enjoyed the Black & Tans getting to No 1 on the back of Leo's ridiculous commemoration plans back, what seems like, another era.

I thought it was great that he was reduced to a count five before he got re-elected in Feb as I truly believed that he had lost touch with the heartbeat of this country.

These past few weeks I will defy anyone to say a bad word about him and the work that he and his team have done during this pandemic. I will not hear it because it is not true.

He is not without fault but this is his forte. his partner, sisters and brother in laws are all front line members in the Health Services, he is seeing this first hand and understands it better than most of us. His immediate family are putting their lives on the line and now he is too in whatever capacity he can. This is not a PR stunt, this isnt Trump flying into an Army Base to cheer on his cannon fodder before flying off again before any sign of danger. This is a man who is walking into ground zero whilst the place is still burning. I see Pearse Dohertys wife also returned to the front line. A woman with a family of four put herself in front also to fight this virus. Another example of extreme bravery from those who are trained to help others. If you can cheer on Mrs Doherty (which you should) you should bloody cheer on Leo too.

This is not a political issue, anyone that makes it so goes against everything this country stands for and you should be ashamed of yourselves. Credit where its due folks.

Stheno

Amirani wrote: »

The more that anyone capable can help out, the better. My partner who is a frontline doctor is certainly greatful for the support, however little.

It's almost certainly more than you are doing.

What it may so do is encourage retired doctors to volunteer for the same and help increase resources a little

Junkyard Tom

Let the FG circle-jerk commence.

spurious

The true colours of a certain element (that are trying to make political capital out of a national emergency) are showing. Disgusting, but not exactly a surprise.

celt262

Great leader getting into the trenches while others stay at home with a snotty nose.

Sleeper12

I'm one of the many that believe FG have been terrible in the last two governments. I also see they have made many mistakes in the last two months but we seem to have been brought into a shut down quicker than most countries and that's a good thing. There is no rule book or blueprint for this virus. In fairness to the government they have gotten more right than wrong in the last few months.

I saw Leo photographed in full emergency gear in the back of an ambulance before he became FG leader. That was a publicity stunt, no question about it but this one is different. He's doing the right thing. Plenty others are doing the same thing. Ciara Kelly is signing up in the same way. I don't believe this to be a publicity stunt at all

McMurphy

celt262 wrote: »

Great leader getting into the trenches while others stay at home with a snotty nose.

He's answering the phone. Fairplay to him and all, every bit helps, but he's most definitely not "getting into the trenches".

PCeeeee

chicken foot wrote: »

I did not vote FG

I am not a FG BOT/Shill/Blueshirt or any other variation.

I quite enjoyed the Black & Tans getting to No 1 on the back of Leo's ridiculous commemoration plans back, what seems like, another era.

I thought it was great that he was reduced to a count five before he got re-elected in Feb as I truly believed that he had lost touch with the heartbeat of this country.

These past few weeks I will defy anyone to say a bad word about him and the work that he and his team have done during this pandemic. I will not hear it because it is not true.

He is not without fault but this is his forte. his partner, sisters and brother in laws are all front line members in the Health Services, he is seeing this first hand and understands it better than most of us. His immediate family are putting their lives on the line and now he is too in whatever capacity he can. This is not a PR stunt, this isnt Trump flying into an Army Base to cheer on his cannon fodder before flying off again before any sign of danger. This is a man who is walking into ground zero whilst the place is still burning. I see Pearse Dohertys wife also returned to the front line. A woman with a family of four put herself in front also to fight this virus. Another example of extreme bravery from those who are trained to help others. If you can cheer on Mrs Doherty (which you should) you should bloody cheer on Leo too.

This is not a political issue, anyone that makes it so goes against everything this country stands for and you should be ashamed of yourselves. Credit where its due folks.

Honestly I'm conflicted. One the one hand fair play to him for helping. On the other I wonder will it affect his ability to do his current job. I don't know. I have to assume he is in a better position than me to make that decision.

However the 'walking into ground zero' stuff is sheer hyperbole. According to the Irish Times 'It is understood the Taoiseach is helping out in phone assessments'.

Plumbthedepths

I dislike Leo, his politics and his party. Will never vote for him or his party, however he has my respect by this one act. Do I suspect it's a PR stunt prehaps but it will inspire others to get involved and more importantly his actions may actually help some people.
So well done Leo, respect to you but all is not forgotten or forgiven.

statesaver

Never waste a good PR opportunity, well played FG, well played.

sheesh

you may hate him but as a person with a medical Degree and experience as a doctor and as taoiseach this is a perfectly valid thing for him to do in the circumstances we are in, even as a publicity stunt him getting stuck in (or just pretending to) is exactly what a prime minister of a country should be doing.


Also please remember that the only other 2 options are Micheal Martin and Mary Lou McDonald pretty, good politicians in their own right but yeah not very impressive either

McMurphy

Amirani wrote: »

Are you going to say that to the countless GPs around the country triaging patients over the phone?

Or the nurses who are doing follow up calls with Covid patients who have been sent to recover at home?

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but phone calls from healthcare workers are incredibly ****ing important right now.

I already said fairplay to him the health service needs all the help it can get, but I am not alone at recognising this for the PR stunt it is.

On the GP part above, if a GP wants to tweet multiple times that they are triaging with patients over the phone, well yeah, I'd be tweeting back to them that they're doing their job brilliantly too.

Brilliant - well done leo - doing your bit and getting in some much needed pr at the same time.

Manach

This seems as sensible as Captain Smith of the Titantic joining the coalers after the iceberg hit. Mr. Varadkar had the opportunity to mitigate this by imposing some form of border controls early on. Instead his government sought to virtue signal ( e.g. ads for an abortion campaign being rolled out) and not to engage with all parties in some form of unity government that proved sucessful in other instances of a country's emergency.
Dr. Varadker is to be highly praised as a someone willing to become a frontline worker, Mr. Varadker on the other hand might must be judged as not showing the leadership this country needed.

Ferm001

Fair play to him, but plays a bit as a publicity stunt.

Bigger risk is him becoming infected, and taking half the government into isolation.

Lonesomerhodes

McMurphy wrote: »

He's answering the phone. Fairplay to him and all, every bit helps, but he's most definitely not "getting into the trenches".

Answering the phone? So hes going to be a receptionist?.

Jokes aside those that fall for the St Leo propaganda why release the story to the press first? Why have a PR and spin team employed if he isnt into image and scoring political points?


The same people baying for his blood 6 weeks ago at election time now fawn and go gooey eyed when his name is mentioned.
Unbelieable.

They will say hes doing a great job now.

BALLS.

Were the borders closed from day 1? Are they even closed now?

Prevention is better than cure.

KiKi III

McMurphy wrote: »

He's answering the phone. Fairplay to him and all, every bit helps, but he's most definitely not "getting into the trenches".

I think it's a good compromise. The last thing we need is him catching Covid-19 - doing phone triage is an important service he can help with without putting himself at risk.

bunderoon

Sleeper12 wrote: »

I'm one of the many that believe FG have been terrible in the last two governments. I also see they have made many mistakes in the last two months but we seem to have been brought into a shut down quicker than most countries and that's a good thing. There is no rule book or blueprint for this virus. In fairness to the government they have gotten more right than wrong in the last few months.

I saw Leo photographed in full emergency gear in the back of an ambulance before he became FG leader. That was a publicity stunt, no question about it but this one is different. He's doing the right thing. Plenty others are doing the same thing. Ciara Kelly is signing up in the same way. I don't believe this to be a publicity stunt at all

He is doing the right thing but it still is a stunt. Stunts and PR is his thing unfortunately.
If he wanted to help, there is no reason why he couldnt have kept this quiet, even for a number of weeks since its just 8 hours a day on the phone..
We are so easily impressed by people who do little things, it actually affects the front line people who do the important things.
Every little helps but you'd be a fool if you think he is doing this to help others more than to help himself. You only have to look back at the last number of years to see this.

Hannibal

MAJJ wrote: »

Did FG not agree with FF to rotate the role of Taoiseach with Martin going first?

I don't think that is quite true and judging at Eamon O'Cúiv comments on Twitter then MM might have some work to do in convincing his party to back his personal ambition.

KiKi III

Sometimes an idea is both a PR opportunity and the right thing to do. This is one of those times.

all about the mane

Mary Loo must be raging she has a head cold. She’d be on the front line too otherwise...

bunderoon

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

Answering the phone? So hes going to be a receptionist?.

Jokes aside those that fall for the St Leo propaganda why release the story to the press first? Why have a PR and spin team employed if he isnt into image and scoring political points?


The same people baying for his blood 6 weeks ago at election time now fawn and go gooey eyed when his name is mentioned.
Unbelieable.

They will say hes doing a great job now.

BALLS.

Were the borders closed from day 1? Are they even closed now?

Prevention is better than cure.

1000% this.
Everyone is doing their bit. Most geniune people are not shouting about it, they are just putting their head down and getting on with it.

Christ I dont even want to write this - but as a point, I help out with various groups and even more so since this **** has hit the fan. But to think, to even pass the thought that I or anyone I assist with, would go on facebook etc to let everyone know that, this is what we are doing. No genuine person would do that..
It's disgusting and only fools would believe this.

Outkast_IRE

Fair play to him hopefully he gets time to spend it on the front lines, i am a massive believer that politicians should come from a broad range of professions in which they have served time before running for political office. As it generally means they will at least have good experience in one area be it engineering, science, medicine, commerce etc.



We need less elected due to family connections and history and more efforts made to get people will real life experience to try and enter political office.



I think this crisis has shown that although we bemoan the lack of choice in elections , we do have some good leaders out there in comparison to USA, UK, Brazil and others.

Rodney Bathgate

all about the mane wrote: »

Mary Loo must be raging she has a head cold. She’d be on the front line too otherwise...

She has much to offer, pity she is in quarantine.

Tell me how

bunderoon wrote: »

1000% this.
Everyone is doing their bit. Most geniune people are not shouting about it, they are just putting their head down and getting on with it.

Christ I dont even want to write this - but as a point, I help out with various groups and even more so since this **** has hit the fan. But to think, to even pass the thought that I or anyone I assist with, would go on facebook etc to let everyone know that, this is what we are doing. No genuine person would do that..
It's disgusting and only fools would believe this.

You write the bit in bold and then you go on to talk about what you are doing.

This should be used as a PR exercise because it sends the right message and will most likely encourage many more to to think is there anything that they can do.

Kermit.de.frog

It sends out a positive message to healthcare staff.

People complaining about PR yet PR is part of the point rather than how many Varadkar himself can help.

It sends a good message to frontline workers.

PCeeeee

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Fair play to him hopefully he gets time to spend it on the front lines, i am a massive believer that politicians should come from a broad range of professions in which they have served time before running for political office. As it generally means they will at least have good experience in one area be it engineering, science, medicine, commerce etc.



We need less elected due to family connections and history and more efforts made to get people will real life experience to try and enter political office.

100% this. I always check what my potential TD's do for a living.

ihdxwz4a3pem9j

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

Answering the phone? So hes going to be a receptionist?.

Jokes aside those that fall for the St Leo propaganda why release the story to the press first? Why have a PR and spin team employed if he isnt into image and scoring political points?


The same people baying for his blood 6 weeks ago at election time now fawn and go gooey eyed when his name is mentioned.
Unbelieable.

They will say hes doing a great job now.

BALLS.

Were the borders closed from day 1? Are they even closed now?

Prevention is better than cure.

Answering the phone? I hardly think that he will be simply greeting them. Nearly every GP service in the country is working primarily via “answering the phone”. It takes considerable medical experience to elicit the necessary medical details from a patient, in order to appropriately triage them. If done poorly, it can result in life and death situations. For example, somebody who has an exacerbation of their asthma, resulting in inability to speak full sentences secondary to corona, needs urgent medical attention. It is a judgement call, based on years of study and working

ihdxwz4a3pem9j

bunderoon wrote: »

1000% this.
Everyone is doing their bit. Most geniune people are not shouting about it, they are just putting their head down and getting on with it.

Christ I dont even want to write this - but as a point, I help out with various groups and even more so since this **** has hit the fan. But to think, to even pass the thought that I or anyone I assist with, would go on facebook etc to let everyone know that, this is what we are doing. No genuine person would do that..
It's disgusting and only fools would believe this.

And what do you think of the healthcare workers who post selfies of themselves donning the PPE? Are they any less worthy of praise for it? People have pride in their work. They make a huge amount of sacrifices for their job. Let them have their moment of glory.

MeMen2_MoRi_

Can't fault the way the parties have handled things, good on him for looking to chip in where he can/is needed. When you look at the sh!te hawks the UK/US have handling things our lads are a god send. Listening and taking advice and steps put forward by people that know their stuff.

Still want them out when this settles down.

bunderoon

Tell me how wrote: »

You write the bit in bold and then you go on to talk about what you are doing.

This should be used as a PR exercise because it sends the right message and will most likely force many more to to think is there anything that they can do.

And if your re-read my second sentence, you should understand that I was making a point without going into details. I even stated it as such.

This PR exercise is just that. There is a benefit that it will free up someone else for 8 hours who works 40-50hrs a week during the period. But it does not 'force' anyone to anything...

monkeysnapper

Its very simple really ....

The public needs as many health care people as possible and he is qualified and has stepped up ...

If your so full of bitterness towards the man then maybe you need to go look in mirror.

I'm sure the rest of his family are equally proud of him .

bunderoon

Erin Happy Pizzeria wrote: »

And what do you think of the healthcare workers who post selfies of themselves donning the PPE? Are they any less worthy of praise for it? People have pride in their work. They make a huge amount of sacrifices for their job. Let them have their moment of glory.

You are missing the point.
Those front line works deserve every bit of praise even if they do post on facebook etc themselves. And fair play to them.
l
Leo is an entirely different situation. I am simply saying that Leo's PR team are putting this ****e out for HIM. Not for us, but for him.
His work will be a benefit to the greater system, but as I said before, this is about PR. And that's the sickening part of it.

growleaves

Great leader getting into the trenches while others stay at home with a snotty nose.

Who forced them to stay at home though?

(Besides if they have a snotty nose isn't it, er, better if they don't leave the house?)

Lonesomerhodes

Erin Happy Pizzeria wrote: »

Answering the phone? I hardly think that he will be simply greeting them. Nearly every GP service in the country is working primarily via “answering the phone”. It takes considerable medical experience to elicit the necessary medical details from a patient, in order to appropriately triage them. If done poorly, it can result in life and death situations. For example, somebody who has an exacerbation of their asthma, resulting in inability to speak full sentences secondary to corona, needs urgent medical attention. It is a judgement call, based on years of study and working

Notice I said joke aside? No?

Yes it requires knowledge to do that. Not disputing that.

What I think is Leo is a shrewd politician. Hes very aware of the media and his image.

I can bet you anything his odds of remaining on as Taoiseach in the next government will be slashed by the bookies.

Make of that what you will.

shesty

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

Answering the phone? So hes going to be a receptionist?.

Jokes aside those that fall for the St Leo propaganda why release the story to the press first? Why have a PR and spin team employed if he isnt into image and scoring political points?


The same people baying for his blood 6 weeks ago at election time now fawn and go gooey eyed when his name is mentioned.
Unbelieable.

They will say hes doing a great job now.

BALLS.

Were the borders closed from day 1? Are they even closed now?

Prevention is better than cure.

Eh....I could be wrong but he is a GP.GPs are currently working via phone.I rang my own 2 weeks ago, and out weekend service DDoc yesterday, and spoke via the phone for the "appointment" each time.
He is a qualified doctor and there is a campaign to get all healthcare workers available back into the system.This isn't about politics, it's about the fact that he is qualified and available to do a necessary job.He was a doctor before he was a politician, and most likely will to go back to being a doctor again at some point.Why wouldn't he volunteer?

bunderoon

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

Notice I said joke aside? No?

Yes it requires knowledge to do that. Not disputing that.

What I think is Leo is a shrewd politician. Hes very aware of the media and his image.

I can bet you anything his odds of remaining on as Taoiseach in the next government will be slashed by the bookies.

Make of that what you will.

He is for sure.
I support & am glad that he's doing it. But fully aware why he is doing it.

richardw001

I suppose what we should remember when the dust settles is that the politicians (FF, FG, Labour, Sinn Fein and whoever) oversaw and were responsible for one of the worst health care services in the first world for decades - despite all of the tax payers money that was pumped in it.

Originally back in 2014 when I heard Leo Varadkar was going to be Minister for Health - I thought things might change/improve - as he seemed bright and from a medical background - but in my view he was a complete failure in that role.

So the country has made incredible progress in readiness over the last few weeks - but imagine if they had being doing their jobs properly all along? - and we were building from a decent starting point - how many extra lives would be saved in the next few months ? - so for me every one of those elected represenatives should be out doing whatever they can 24x7.

If they take a good long hard at what they have done over their careers as I think there is more they could have done regarding getting us ready for this.

Anything additionally they can do, they should be doing - but I wouldnt be praising them. They should have been doing an awful lot more over the years in my view - especially those who were Ministers for Health at some point over the last few decades.

machiavellianme

Stanford wrote: »

We elected FG to lead the Government and they elected Vlad to be Taoiseach, not a medical doctor.

Another silly FG stunt, we need leadership now, not Vlad playing silly buggers

Slim Charles wrote: »

Vlad is so clever, what a clever thing to call him. Ho!

VLAD the INHALER

KiKi III

Boris Johnson's idea of a PR stunt was to continue shaking hands with hospital patients where Covid 19 was a threat.

The result: British prime minister Boris Johnson has just been admitted to hospital for tests due to his coronavirus symptoms persisting.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/coronavirus-boris-johnson-in-hospital-for-tests-as-symptoms-persist-1.4221569

Donald Trump's idea of a PR stunt is to refuse to wear a mask even though the CDC is now recommending it.

Bolansaro in Brazil suggested Brazilians are somehow immune to the virus.

I'll take Leo's service doing phone triage above how most world leaders have made headlines.

Rosita

Pintman Paddy Losty wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coronavirus-varadkar-returns-to-practising-medicine-to-help-during-crisis-1.4221463

He really has come in to his own as a leader. He really is a great example. Especially when you compare him to other world leaders.

I'm sure the usual "bots" who can't see pass their nose for hatred of FG will be along to cry PR stunt or whatever, but thats just par for the course with the men who have all the questions and none of the answers.

I have to just say, fair play leo, hope you inspire others to do what they can.

At one level I would be tempted to say fair play to him but I wouldn't see it as a sign of leadership. Leadership would be staying where he is in the Taoiseach's office until there's another elected and providing leadership in that role at a time when it's badly needed. I don't hate FG but am convinced that Varadker takes no action that is not informed by PR. Otherwise he could have employed one more doctor and stayed where he was.