Covid 19 Part XXIV-37,063 ROI (1,801 deaths) 12,886 NI (582 deaths) (02/10) Read OP

Personally I’d prefer if they come clean about things. I understand why they don’t, but I’d much prefer if they stated what a lot of us have known for along time:

- this is most likely going to be the situation until April/May (erratic rolling restrictions depending on compliance)

- the reason the government have to intervene is not because they want to or because NEPHET have a massive ego and want to run the country. It’s because people are not being vigilant enough and not adhering to the advice being given, when that happens there is a cost, it’s that simple. This is not blame, this is making a statement of fact that people don’t want to hear

- Herd immunity or whatever way you want to phrase it is not feasible in Ireland without either massive infrastructure change in our hospitals or a vaccine. Letting it run through our population will potentially destroy our healthcare system.

- house parties don’t Happen because pubs are closed, people make a conscious decision to not comply with health guidance that puts everybody in danger.

- a decision was made on schools in the importance of what is greater good of society. There are risks associated with children in school and the spread but government felt that schools being open represented a niche area of society where the benefits of opening outweighed the benefits of locking them down. They are not special environments where the virus doesn’t spread, but society benefits more with them open that sets them apart from most other industry’s/business.

- masks have been made mandatory because there is enough evidence now that suggests even if the mask doesn’t completely change work, there’s a very strong chance it reduces your potential exposure to the virus and can even reduce the severity of the dose of COVID you get (viral load). Part of the reason masks were not initially recommended was because we needed to get them to healthcare workers. We also know more now then we did 7 months ago.

- recommend that all adults or people over 12 maintain good VIT D, VIT C
And zinc levels. This may help provide some protection to the virus. This is not a panacea, this is but one small strategy in a line of multiple strategies, every little helps

- Clarify that government will not let country go bankrupt. Make this clear we say. Every step taken has an economic cost, this includes the cost of not taking steps. Make it clear that the decisions Made have factored in the costs of the strategy on all levels and factors in how long we can afford same.

- clarify that any decision being considered is not targeting any particular industry for any other reason then how this industry impacts on the spread. Answer specific questions honestly on why certain industry’s - people hey sloppy when they drink , let their guard down and are more likely to get infected

- come up with some mental health supports and advice. Zoom isn’t the same to be honest.

- don’t sugar coat things. I said months ago on here that if I owned a pub I’d be thinking I will be lucky if I can open up properly until April. This is not about being pessimistic, it’s setting realistic targets. Between now and april every business Should be factoring in open/close protocols and plans. I know it’s not feasible for everybody, but to ignore it because it won’t work or suit you is negligent. This is very unfortunate but this is the reality facing you

- the country will survive. 100 years ago we were in civil war. This feels awful, depressing , scary and extremely unnerving. But the whole world is suffering , we aren’t on our own. Despite what people think of the EU there is strength in numbers when we are part of it. Look at Italy and spain, they will not be let go under, neither will Ireland because the cost of letting us go under is way more to the EU then the cost of them bailing us out. That’s looking at worst case scenario that I don’t anticipate. It’s the uncertainty driving peoples fears, honestly don’t believe it will be as bad economically for the country as some feel

- government is stepping up funding for alternative strategies (sniffer dogs, airport vetting , see what works in other countries etc) and intends on adding these depending on how they feel it will suit/compliment our population

- research website that is totally optional (compliment to Covid app). Basically people sign in with a profile and answer questions that may help authorities spot trends or habits unique to Irish people that can help influence government restrictions. Most people won’t want to do this but I’m not paranoid about the intentions. It’s ironic how protective people get about their information being used when they are effectively giving it all for free to private social media companies.

I’m sure there’s other stuff I could think of but we need clear and intelligible leadership.