Covid 19 Part XXXV-956,720 ROI (5,952 deaths) 452,946 NI (3,002 deaths) (08/01) Read OP

Weasels.

What a spineless bunch running the country.

I really wish people would stop using "only 2-3 weeks extra and then we'll be in the clear" as if it's a valid option at this point. We've been down this road too many times already. It's not just about that 3 weeks delay, it's the delay to the subsequent stages thereafter.

The laughable unambitious 5k at AI Finals and gigs, put back to September. Outdoor gig season ending in October, by which time we haven't tested a full capacity outdoor situation at all. Are winter indoor gigs (flu season) going to be allowed when outdoor hasn't even been tested properly? No chance. We're into late spring next year before we can even try a 100+ wedding, or a restricted capacity nightclub, or an indoor gig. Think of the people working in these industries

If we delay the next stage to Aug 2nd (likely given the tendency to pick a date post bank holiday), we'll also be 3-4 weeks out from schools reopening, of which there'll be caution around the effects of. There's is a massive push around the return to full normality of UK society on July 19th, with MPs consistently saying there's a small gap to get things back to normality before new barriers arise in winter.

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Look I'm just not bothered getting myself worked up over it, what's the point,? Doesn't do any good, we can't impact the decisions that get made next week.

We know double vaccination is what's needed to give Delta the kick up the arse, if 2-3 weeks means all the 60s get the 2nd AZ dose and we'll have massive numbers double vaccinated then if that means I've to drink pints outside for 2 or 3 more weeks then I'm ok with that, do I like it no not really, but there's feck all I can do about it

I've convinced myself that the government have adopted NPHET's behavioural science modus operandi (fear, worry-meter, anticipatory behaviour etc) to maintain the progress and counter any vaccine hesitancy.

This is what stops me getting worked up with the prospect of a delay in the reopening of society because there is nothing in the data that suggests we should.

mloc123 wrote: »

The guy in in Belfast saying that transmission in Ireland (with a population of 6 million) could generate a new vaccine resistant strain.... sure, that seems likely when India with a population of 1.5 billion and higher daily transmission then the total transmission here over a year didn't manage to do it.

You need a higher proportion of vaccinated people before the vaccine resistant variants crop up.

Wait until 50%+ of India are vaccinated for the fun to start.

How is there still no data for Ireland? The HSE hack is quite some time ago at this stage. This is starting to look extremely incompetent:

https://twitter.com/EU_Commission/status/1408068224348868613?s=20

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Of course I am but according to you RTE are bombarding us with negative covid news to scare the entire country. If that was the case they would have covid stories on the front page all day every day. The fact is, it is nonsense.

Listen to Morning Ireland or Claire Byrne show for one day and tell me they are having balanced and rationale discussions on covid.

namloc1980 wrote: »

The top 2 stories on RTE.ie right now are:

"Delta variant spread changes 'balance of risk' - Taoiseach"

"'A point of unease' despite falling case numbers - Reid"

I mean I agree that RTE have been awful throughout but would it not be fairly likely that the biggest news story since... I don't know when really... would end up being the top story on quite a regular basis? And currently the biggest news about that story is that restrictions may not be eased.

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Wow, 2 whole stories. Yeah, they're really shoving this fear narrative down our throats. There are also 2 stories about Hungary and its new laws as well. Is there also an anti Hungary narrative they are pushing too?

Yes.

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Of course I am but according to you RTE are bombarding us with negative covid news to scare the entire country. If that was the case they would have covid stories on the front page all day every day. The fact is, it is nonsense.

I'm sorry sir but you are not the first to try this tact, previously another poster had already tried the "Look, there are no Covid headlines on RTE right this minute so that is definite proof that they have not been pushing any narrative for over a year." That particular poster made a right idiot of himself in fact, I wouldn't like to see it happen again.

It is like deja vu though, because guess what I can see on the RTE website right this very minute...

I think it would be fairer to say that RTE can become fixated, quickly, on something and then pound that relentlessly for a while before moving on without much further comment. It doesn't necessarily have to be Covid related.

But that obsessive nature can go both ways. Last week you couldn't go 20 seconds on Radio or TV without hearing the word "antigen test". I would sincerely wonder if they've been referred to once in their current affairs coverage since Monday - it's like it has completely disappeared.

So the focus of their monomania can shift between the speculative dangers ahead, to why aren't we doing more to open up quicker and why are we taking so long.

Current Affairs output has been dominated this week by the Delta Varient, essentially why aren't you announcing that you're delaying the reopening, why aren't you being proactive - complete with plenty of experts saying things are looking dicey etc, etc.

The literal week before this was dominated by questions of antigen tests and why aren't we ploughing ahead with getting international travel going, essentially why aren't you getting on with things - complete with plenty of experts saying things are looking good, look at the rest of Europe etc, etc.

It's pretty schizophrenic. I have no doubt that if a delay to reopening is announced then they'll immediately shift their focus to asking the government why they "jumped the gun" - complete with plenty of experts lining up to say this delay is ridiculous and the hospitality industry is on its knees. It's constant 180 turns.

And then at times they can become so focused on single issues that Covid temporarily recedes into the distance. Remember the ancient days of a month ago? Then it was foreign vulture funds and the housing crisis, every minute of every single day for a while. This week? Barely mentioned.

Reassuring Positivity rates in the vaccinated atm.

https://twitter.com/ThatRyanChap/status/1408030153188466694

Are taxpaying citizens on this thread happy to pay billions more of debt to keep indoor dining closed? Hospitals are empty of Covid. They are full to brim with other medical issues & Covid is not being picked up on any of them in hospital. Yet we’ll keep destroying our economy for a common cold among the under 40s? Gabriel Scally refused to give the death rate for this age group on radio to Ciara Kelly & tried to go the anecdotal route, I wonder why, could it be the death rate is tiny & doesn’t justify the current restrictions…

Who will pay for the extra staff needed in hospitals, they’re all chronically understaffed.
Why are taxpayers not being given a choice? NPHET are unelected & the Government are a catastrophic failure to its citizens.

CruelSummer wrote: »

Are taxpaying citizens on this thread happy to pay billions more of debt to keep indoor dining closed? Hospitals are empty of Covid. They are full to brim with other medical issues & Covid is not being picked up on any of them in hospital. Yet we’ll keep destroying our economy for a common cold among the under 40s? Gabriel Scally refused to give the death rate for this age group on radio to Ciara Kelly & tried to go the anecdotal route, I wonder why, could it be the death rate is tiny & doesn’t justify the current restrictions…

Who will pay for the extra staff needed in hospitals, they’re all chronically understaffed.
Why are taxpayers not being given a choice? NPHET are unelected & the Government are a catastrophic failure to its citizens.

What I can't understand is how the cabinet ministers are so detached from the mood of the public and reality of the figures. They must be surrounded by advisors who are building up the delta fear and painting everything in the most negative light possible.

I'm still waiting for some journalist, or public figure to shout stop to this madness. All I see is the usual nodding dogs and sheep in the media lapping up everything they're told.
Where are the critics or journalists who ask difficult questions and not be fobbed off by the usual political/isag guff.

Cork2021 wrote: »

That’s all it is pure and utter fear that has been induced by NPHET and ISAG!
We’ve come along way and vaccines are being pumped out! The Uk has indoor still open even with delta! Hospitals have not and I’ll emphasise this HAVE NOT become overwhelmed in any way! Get the **** on with things and stop being shilliky fûckers!!

Are there any other countries in the EU where indoor dining is still closed?

Golfman64 wrote: »

Are there any other countries in the EU where indoor dining is still closed?

Not as far as I can tell, although many have capacity restrictions and some require negative test or covid pass.