Relaxation of Restrictions, Part X *Read OP For Mod Warnings*

JDD wrote: »

I would say there is a large minority of people that it has impacted from a medium to severe level. And then there's the majority who are annoyed at the restrictions but not financially effected by them. Unfortunately NPHET, the government and the HSE all fall into the latter category. Until you have experienced the stress in the former category, there will be no urgency in getting us out of restrictions. That's the reality.

I agree with the first part, and maybe I'm wrong, but I really can't buy the second bit about no urgency. Public health will never prioritise urgency over safety (what levels of safety are acceptable is open to debate I guess). Yes they presumably earn good money etc, but they're not some kind of class that are totally oblivious to what's going on. No doubt there are a few (like everything in life) but I think, especially those that are medical professionals, they do know how people are coping (or not).

Red Silurian wrote: »

What do we think is going to be included in todays announcement then?

County limits from the 12th of April, no enforcement of any limits from midnight tonight, golf, tennis and non-contact outdoor training is my best guess

nothing.

Russman wrote: »

Fair enough, he's one of the lucky ones I guess. TBH I totally get that there's a huge difference in how people are impacted, but I just don't believe for a second that the likes of NPHET have an attitude of this suiting them just fine. IMO almost everyone wants this thing over.

Of course NPHET want this to be over, in a sort of abstract way. But their remit is public health, and they see a risk to that in the short term. Restrictions are best for public health in the short term.

They are not there to assess the effect on the economy, either on a macro or micro basis. So in the absence of widespread vaccinations they will always advocate restrictions, no matter the financial cost.

Where they are not suffering any financial cost personally, it is easier to think that people can bear restrictions for longer, because they can bear restrictions for longer. There doesn't appear to be any behavioural scientists giving advice to NPHET (or if they are, they are not making their voice heard), because everyone I know is now breaching the restrictions in some way, large or small. And give it another two weeks, those breaches are going to get bigger.
FThey're in an echo chamber now. Every time someone says "hold firm" on the radio or television I want to hit something.

So I've decided when I'm lifting my own restrictions. F"ck 'em. If they won't release a plan, I'll make my own one. We're getting builders into our house at the end of April to put in shelving. I'm going to visit my family. I'm going to let the kids have indoor playdates. I'm going on holidays.

Deusexmachina wrote: »

I am sorry but I disagree. For example, my brother works in a Government organisation. He has not been in work for more than a year. He is 'working from home' but he doesn't even have a work computer at home. So he has literally no work to do. No commute. No early mornings. Home with the kids. Loving it. Salary comes in every month. He is hoping this keeps going as long as possible.

So he is being paid full salary to do no work at all? If this is true, this type of thing needs to be reported in the mainstream media. That's scandalous if true. What employer would pay someone to do nothing though?

GT89 wrote: »

Masks for next ten years?
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1415072/face-masks-news-coronavirus-rules-10-years-lord-sumption-boris-johnson-lockdown-ont

Why? Once herd immunity takes hold and boosters are given theres no need

Chivito550 wrote: »

So he is being paid full salary to do no work at all? If this is true, this type of thing needs to be reported in the mainstream media. That's scandalous if true. What employer would pay someone to do nothing though?

I totally agree, if I knew PSB/govt department I will look into it myself. There would honestly be war if this kind of carry on was happening in my org.

His PMDs this year (which he needs to pass to get any increment) is going to be er rather light....

Chivito550 wrote: »

So he is being paid full salary to do no work at all? If this is true, this type of thing needs to be reported in the mainstream media. That's scandalous if true. What employer would pay someone to do nothing though?

Its most definitely true. When the employer is the state they can't really have you on PUP but if there's no work to do then you end up in this scenario. This whole situation is disgusting.

Pussyhands wrote: »

Anyone remember George Lee back last summer on about earthquake technology, to tell us how there was a big drop in the number of people out and about. How this technology measures the vibrations in the earth to measure people movement.

Haven't heard a peep about it since. Just goes to show it's all bolloxology to get views.

It was based on a report? So not bolloxology imo

https://www.insn.ie/2020-covid19-low-seismic-noise/
Similar studies have been done in other countries very interesting

gmisk wrote: »

Can you tell me the departments?

No one from the public sector has been laid off, temporarily or otherwise. Now think of all the services that are reduced or stopped temporarily. It's not that difficult to make assumptions.

gmisk wrote: »

This is most definitely not the norm, I would love to know where he works tbh....you can drop me a pm if you like....I work in IT I know most of the POs in other orgs.

I work in PS and in our org 800 plus people all have the ability to work from home if they are not on a work device they are on a personal device with Citrix. I am working far longer hours from home than I was in office and colleagues in my area are all the same.

If this guys PSB/department has not given him a method to work from home and he is just sitting on his hole it is disgraceful, I would have him on a laptop within a week.

His work involves maintenance of machinery which has been dormant since lockdown. I don't think a laptop would make any difference.
I know of two other PS organisations similarly in hibernation at the moment.

Deusexmachina wrote: »

His work involves maintenance of machinery which has been dormant since lockdown. I don't think a laptop would make any difference.
I know of two other PS organisations similarly in hibernation at the moment.

Amazing. All in it together. No one likes lockdown etc

Deusexmachina wrote: »

His work involves maintenance of machinery which has been dormant since lockdown. I don't think a laptop would make any difference.
I know of two other PS organisations similarly in hibernation at the moment.

Ah right get you.
I would say in fairness that is pretty niche, numbers would be small, internal maintenance of machinery a lot of that would be outsourced in my experience.

Two entire PS orgs? In hibernation with no one working from home? I really don't believe that sorry.

https://twitter.com/gavreilly/status/1376786018028912641

Lads we could have followed Saint Jacinda down a zero covid route - been free and not had our hospitals at breaking point.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/its-crisis-overwhelmed-ed-staff-in-hospitals-often-tears-experts-say

“We’re not sure why there’s been this incredible surge, Dunedin hospital has gone into code black, hospitals across the country are overflowing, I believe this is a crisis,” Hamilton-based Bonning said.

“I have a national view of what’s going on, I’ve spoken to a number of people throughout the country, stories from Wellington Hospital where a 110 per cent of their capacity, patients are admitted but don’t have a ward bed to go to.