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

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Comments

  • #5972
    Turtwig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,578 ✭✭✭✭Turtwig


    To be fair to the HSE consultant at the time people always thought of masks as protecting the individual. It was the combination of pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers of covid that makes masks of any kind really effective for covid. An infectious person who doesn't know they have the disease is far less likely to spread it through a mask of any kind.
    I wouldn't put that down to the consultant's profession. The idea that any piece of cloth could slow covid down seemed far fetched. When we better understood how covid spread it made sense.

    Looking back now I remember when I grasped this secondary use of masks thinking that this may be our way to negate the need for social distancing entirely. How wrong I was :o


  • #5973
    Renjit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 949 ✭✭✭Renjit


    Gortanna wrote: »
    What I don't get about the mask thing is that not being able to see people smile, or communicate properly with people is hardly ever mentioned.

    Cue for designer transparent masks :pac:

    FPuhwJE.jpg


  • #5974
    VG31
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,583 ✭✭✭VG31


    Gortanna wrote: »
    It will be interesting what happens in the US. A number of Republican senators are pushing for them to go on public transport and on planes: https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/ted-cruz-joins-forces-with-other-gop-lawmakers-to-try-and-end-the-mask-mandates-for-vaccinated-travelers-ahead-of-independence-day/amp_articleshow/83871799.cms

    I've no doubt they will be dropped this year in the US. Europe will hopefully follow.
    Gortanna wrote: »
    You're right that's it not a minor issue to wear those things on a plane. It's horrendous. What I don't get about the mask thing is that not being able to see people smile, or communicate properly with people is hardly ever mentioned.

    I agree and it's of particular relevance in open, individualistic societies like ours that place importance in seeing other's facial expressions. It may not matter so much in more anonymous societies such as China.

    More importantly, masks are extremely difficult for the deaf and hard of hearing as they cannot lip read and it can be harder to be understood.
    Multipass wrote: »
    It would greatly increase the onboard sales of drinks and snacks. Who can make their coffee last the longest?

    Once everyone who wants to be has been vaccinated , I'm not going to feel too guilty about dragging out my drinks as long as possible. Until then I'm avoiding eating or drinking on public transport as much as possible.


    I am however fully in favour of wearing a mask on public transport if you're coughing and sneezing. Or better still avoid it all together. That will probably be more likely to come from societal pressure then an actual rule though.


  • #5975
    JRant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,273 ✭✭✭✭JRant


    GeorgeBailey wrote: »
    Remember during brexit Michael Gove said something like "people have had enough of experts". Many (including me) laughed incredulously at such an idiotic statement. But it's during covid times that I think I finally understand.

    There is zero doubt that people of science like epidemiologists, virologists, etc know waaaaayy more than I do. However, most are looking to push the population in one direction or another for various reasons and so will often be selective in their use of facts to push that particular narrative.

    I have no doubt many are doing so for genuine reasons and what they perceive to be the greater good. However, it leads to a situation where we can't and shouldn't take expert opinions at face value. So questioning experts even by lay people is important and comments like "where did you get your degree in epidemiology again?" miss the point.

    We should take what experts say into account. When they start pontificating over how everyone should lead their lives it becomes a huge problem. This was true for Brexit and it true of COVID and climate change.

    All these experts are suddenly able to tell entire populations how they should be living their daily lives, with zero, and I mean ZERO, emphaty for how it would affect everyday lives.

    Take our current CMO, who's remit is to advise government, yet he's taken it upon himself to constantly judge large sections of society because they aren't "behaving" the way he believes they should. That's what drives the "people are sick of experts" narrative.

    "Well, yeah, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man"



  • #5976
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    VG31 wrote: »
    I've no doubt they will be dropped this year in the US. Europe will hopefully follow.



    I agree and it's of particular relevance in open, individualistic societies like ours that place importance in seeing other's facial expressions. It may not matter so much in more anonymous societies such as China.

    More importantly, masks are extremely difficult for the deaf and hard of hearing as they cannot lip read and it can be harder to be understood.



    Once everyone who wants to be has been vaccinated , I'm not going to feel too guilty about dragging out my drinks as long as possible. Until then I'm avoiding eating or drinking on public transport as much as possible.


    I am however fully in favour of wearing a mask on public transport if you're coughing and sneezing. Or better still avoid it all together. That will probably be more likely to come from societal pressure then an actual rule though.

    I hope very much you're right. I have for some time thought that the US would be the best place to be in. I discovered an airline that doesn't require the passenger to wear a mask in business class as long as they're lying down. For a long haul flight it'd be ideal. Just lie down for the flight and go to sleep.

    Yes, they have a huge transformative effect on society.

    I'll be keeping my eye on the US. The CDC often move quickly. I expect the pressure to lift the mandate to intensify.

    We'll see what happens.


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  • #5977
    Economics101
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,304 ✭✭✭Economics101


    Gortanna wrote: »
    It will be interesting what happens in the US. A number of Republican senators are pushing for them to go on public transport and on planes: https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/ted-cruz-joins-forces-with-other-gop-lawmakers-to-try-and-end-the-mask-mandates-for-vaccinated-travelers-ahead-of-independence-day/amp_articleshow/83871799.cms

    If there is anything more infuriating than the excessive zeal and control freakery of some of our public health medics it is the crazy denialism of some Republicans in the US. Some of them have made vaccination and mask wearing pert of the culture wars. So please spare us the from any nonsense form the GOP.


  • #5978
    funnydoggy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,065 ✭✭✭funnydoggy


    Turtwig wrote: »
    Looking back now I remember when I grasped this secondary use of masks thinking that this may be our way to negate the need for social distancing entirely. How wrong I was :o

    I thought the same lol :D


  • #5979
    Turtwig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,578 ✭✭✭✭Turtwig


    JRant wrote: »
    We should take what experts say into account.

    Take our current CMO, who's remit is to advise government

    Maybe I'm harsh. Maybe I'm underestimating the position of CMO. I don't think our CMO is an expert. He may be excellent at dissemination of information received from experts. Whether he is good at this or not, I do not think that makes him an expert.


  • #5980
    corkie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,435 ✭✭✭corkie


    https://twitter.com/roinnslainte/status/1408787818537697280

    As of midnight, Friday 25th June, we are reporting
    443*
    confirmed cases of #COVID19.

    13 in ICU. 43 in hospital.

    *Daily case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update.



    Hoping the increase in cases is not a trend?

    The things I have created recently for Bluesky: -
    ATProtoViewer Android & Chrome PWA + iOS26 web app (confirmed) | QR Code
    To Share PWA ~ Android Bluesky share feature | QR Code
    ATProtocolHandler ~ Chrome extension to open at did urls ~ Available on CWS



  • #5981
    Always_Running
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,846 ✭✭✭Always_Running


    This week compared to last.

    93 more cases (2248 v 2341)
    5 fewer in hospital (48 v 43)
    1 fewer in ICU (13 v 14)

    I thought we'd have a higher weekly rise when you consider we had cluster outbreaks in Sligo, Athlone and Waterford accounting for 140 cases thus far.

    The hospital situation remains in a very stable position and 4M adults has received at least 1 dose of vaccines while the majority of over 70s are fully vaccinated. Two key metrics that should be focused on when the government decide on the next easing of restrictions this Thursday.


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  • #5982
    Deeper Blue
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,500 ✭✭✭Deeper Blue


    DebDynamite wrote: »
    For a science correspondent, he doesn’t really seem to be about the science at all.

    He knows **** all

    The piece he did last night was a disgrace

    Disgusting that misinformation like that is being put out by the national broadcaster


  • #5983
    Silentcorner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,536 ✭✭✭Silentcorner


    Deeper Blue wrote: »
    He knows **** all

    The piece he did last night was a disgrace

    Disgusting that misinformation like that is being put out by the national broadcaster

    He tried to blame the Californian Wild Fires last summer on climate change....moron, he might as well have blamed the Fire gods.

    Also Covid...

    It's dangerous to have a man like him in his position.


  • #5984
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Economics101 wrote: »
    If there is anything more infuriating than the excessive zeal and control freakery of some of our public health medics it is the crazy denialism of some Republicans in the US. Some of them have made vaccination and mask wearing pert of the culture wars. So please spare us the from any nonsense form the GOP.

    It was a reply to another poster. You aren't required to read the article.


  • #5985
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 10,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    VG31 wrote: »
    Why would they still be mandatory after the pandemic ends? Liquids are not comparable, the terrorist thread is still an issue, the coronavirus will not be within a few years. We didn't wear masks on planes before to protect against the flu, which is what the coronavirus will end up like in terms of impact.

    Also not being able to take liquids on board is a minor inconvenience. Wearing a mask continuously for hours is not minor (IMO).

    Having worn a mask onboard multiple flights of up to 8 hours for the last 13 months I can tell you that it’s a minor inconvenience (IMO)
    Annoying but not an imposition of tyranny.


  • #5986
    iamwhoiam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,265 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    Personally I think if they dont open indoor dining and pubs the numbers will rise even more . Instead of eating in controlled environments people will move to houses and parties . Enough is enough for young people now and they need an outlet or they will gather in crowds with no controls whatsoever .


  • #5987
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Personally I think if they dont open indoor dining and pubs the numbers will rise even more . Instead of eating in controlled environments people will move to houses and parties . Enough is enough for young people now and they need an outlet or they will gather in crowds with no controls whatsoever .

    I'm of a similar view tbh


  • #5988
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,428 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    GDY151


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Personally I think if they dont open indoor dining and pubs the numbers will rise even more . Instead of eating in controlled environments people will move to houses and parties . Enough is enough for young people now and they need an outlet or they will gather in crowds with no controls whatsoever .


    Exactly. Pubs should put a notice on the door saying those vaccinated only recommended indoors. If someone unvaccinated decides to come in and gets hospitalised as a result it's their own lookout and likewise if there's no issue that's fine too. Pubs shouldn't have to police or ask if someone is vaccinated.


  • #5989
    PTH2009
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,780 ✭✭✭✭PTH2009


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Personally I think if they dont open indoor dining and pubs the numbers will rise even more . Instead of eating in controlled environments people will move to houses and parties . Enough is enough for young people now and they need an outlet or they will gather in crowds with no controls whatsoever .

    Very true but the naivety of the government/NPHET will stop that

    They honestly think all young people will listen to them and stay at home


  • #5990
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    PTH2009 wrote: »
    Very true but the naivety of the government/NPHET will stop that

    They honestly think all young people will listen to them and stay at home

    I think its what happened at Christmas has the. Paralysed tbh


  • #5991
    JRant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,273 ✭✭✭✭JRant


    Turtwig wrote: »
    Maybe I'm harsh. Maybe I'm underestimating the position of CMO. I don't think our CMO is an expert. He may be excellent at dissemination of information received from experts. Whether he is good at this or not, I do not think that makes him an expert.

    He very much puts himself forward as an expert, that's the problem. At the recent committee meeting with TDs he had to get his spoke in first at every occasion instead of letting the people at the table who may actually know what they are talking about field the questions. I would disagree he's a good communicator though. He has a very abrasive style, unlike say Glynn who comes across as far more sincere and knowledgeable.

    "Well, yeah, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man"



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  • #5992
    KrustyUCC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,092 ✭✭✭KrustyUCC


    Stheno wrote: »
    I think its what happened at Christmas has the. Paralysed tbh

    Yeah but it's mad comparing the two scenarios

    We had no vaccines at Christmas


  • #5993
    Backstreet Moyes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,408 ✭✭✭Backstreet Moyes


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Personally I think if they dont open indoor dining and pubs the numbers will rise even more . Instead of eating in controlled environments people will move to houses and parties . Enough is enough for young people now and they need an outlet or they will gather in crowds with no controls whatsoever .

    Of course the numbers will go up more, people are planning days out and taking time off work to meet up with friends.

    They will still meet up and drink it will just be in a house instead of in a controlled environment.

    The people making decisions and the people here who are backing the government are out of touch with how the real world works.

    Same as Christmas closing everything for months and saying enjoy yourself for a few weeks and wondering why cases skyrocketed.

    If they stayed at level 3 we would have been better off.

    Every other country in the world understand it, I just wonder does nphet have anybody who understands human behaviour and take that into account when making decisions.


  • #5994
    PTH2009
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,780 ✭✭✭✭PTH2009


    KrustyUCC wrote: »
    Yeah but it's mad comparing the two scenarios

    We had no vaccines at Christmas

    Talking of the vaccines and Christmas, wasn't it around that time they were approved and can we honestly say some 6 months later were actually in a better place in terms of living ?. Its been a very tough year with street parties turning into battle zones, protests and general horrible advice and quotes from members of our government and health officials


  • #5995
    hynesie08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,367 ✭✭✭✭hynesie08


    PTH2009 wrote: »
    Talking of the vaccines and Christmas, wasn't it around that time they were approved and can we honestly say some 6 months later were actually in a better place in terms of living ?. Its been a very tough year with street parties turning into battle zones, protests and general horrible advice and quotes from members of our government and health officials

    Yes.


  • #5996
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,965 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    iamwhoiam wrote:
    Personally I think if they dont open indoor dining and pubs the numbers will rise even more . Instead of eating in controlled environments people will move to houses and parties . Enough is enough for young people now and they need an outlet or they will gather in crowds with no controls whatsoever .

    They have outlets,outdoor dining, outdoor pubs etc.


  • #5997
    Sweet.Science
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,084 ✭✭✭Sweet.Science


    eagle eye wrote: »
    They have outlets,outdoor dining, outdoor pubs etc.

    It's freezing and it's only just 5pm


  • #5998
    iamwhoiam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,265 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    eagle eye wrote: »
    They have outlets,outdoor dining, outdoor pubs etc.

    There is not enough capacity . That is the huge issue . In cities you need to book in advance and the capicity is way down .
    I dont need to go out at night , am retired and so are all my friends , we can meet during the day and pick quiet times
    Young people need to meet in the evening and the less controlled outlets for them the bigger chance of house parties and gatherings in uncontrolled spaces
    Its actually logical , the less space to spread out the bigger the crowds in what is available .


  • #5999
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,965 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    Sweet.Science wrote:
    It's freezing and it's only just 5pm
    Wear a jacket.


  • #6000
    eagle eye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,965 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    iamwhoiam wrote:
    There is not enough capacity . That is the huge issue . In cities you need to book in advance and the capicity is way down . I dont need to go out at night , am retired and so are all my friends , we can meet during the day and pick quiet times Young people need to meet in the evening and the less controlled outlets for them the bigger chance of house parties and gatherings in uncontrolled spaces Its actually logical , the less space to spread out the bigger the crowds in what is available .
    Yeah, the more people around the more likely someone will have a house party.


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  • #6001
    Swaine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭Swaine


    Nightclubs reopen in the Netherlands tonight. Among the highest Covid case rates in Europe.

    Italy, the epicentre of Covid deaths one year ago is fully reopen.

    Ireland considering delaying reopening indoor dining, been closed 7 months now. Among the lowest case rates in Europe and among highest uptake of vaccines in the EU.

    It's hard to fathom how much I hate this country right now. Embarrassed to be Irish.


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