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

facehugger99 wrote: »

Sunk cost fallacy.

They've invested too much in it to step back and admit the absolute shambles this country has become.

Nobody would have believed this 18 months ago. It's exposed this country as a banana republic.

A couple of dozen people in hospital, all the vulnerable groups vaccinated and you can't eat a meal in a restaurant.

I think this is exactly what's going on, and not just on this thread.

NPHET and Government have spent the last year justifying the measures that have been imposed, the money spent (and indeed lost by closures of businesses), and the damage done to society through the constant narrative of "concern" (including the infamous NPHET worry-o-meter) and blanket media coverage of selective stats and "expert" interviews.

We have Tony Holohan who has a massively inflated sense of his own importance, matched only by his arrogance and indeed ignorant attitude whenever he is even vaguely challenged (as we've seen in press interviews and his twitter "contributions"). His actual competence and suitability though is not so obvious, and long standing.

We have Michael Martin who is a career bureaucrat and an extremely weak politician. Even members of his own party have criticised his indecisiveness, and over-reliance on reports and analysis rather than making a clear decision.
His only goal as Taoiseach was to not be the only FF leader who wasn't. Much like Enda Kenny's crusade to be the only FG Taoiseach to get a second term (albeit at the cost of giving people like Shane Ross and Katherine Zappone a seat at the table), it was an entirely ego driven decision.

Small wonder then when you put personality A above against personality B, the mess we've found ourselves in since is the result - weak governance, conflicting and often irrational and impractical measures based on medical theory not tempered by political and objective reality, and an ever growing disconnect between the measures and those deciding them, and the general public supposed to abide by them.

Speaking of the public. We still have a significant percentage who are obsessed with what others do, or are "getting away with" that they aren't or for whom their "I'm alright Jack" mentality is paramount. So long as whatever-it-is doesn't DIRECTLY affect them, then who cares about anyone else - whether it be covid policy, or housing, healthcare or indeed any other national issue.

Put all this together, compounded by a lack of accountability or consequences for those in authority, and we end up with the country we live in. On the surface we're modern, educated, liberal and progressive - but dig a bit deeper and much of Irish society hasn't progressed at all from the dark days of life under the Catholic Church, or the half-assed "be grand" approach to everything.

Of course, Ireland is an island but not alone, and when the EU money runs out and EU policy on travel, movement and ultimately paying for all this changes, we will then start to see the true cost of the last 15 months and the consequences it'll likely have for at least the rest of the decade - all because of weak politicians, unaccountable bureaucrats, and a lazy selfish electorate all only looking out for themselves.

How far we've come! :rolleyes: (and in before the predictable and tiresome "if you don't like it, leave" responses from those who have felt a nerve being struck).

Graham wrote: »

I'm aware you're embarrassed. No idea what that has to do with restrictions to be honest.

Can't say I've given the pilot events much thought. Makes sense to me that they start small and increase over time but it's not something I'm going to get excited about either way. Vaccinations are what will allow events to return at scale.

If you don't care, why are you everyday defending nphet or making excuses for them. You said 2 weeks ago, vaccinations were on track and we were crazy to think July the 5th could be pushed back and now you are defending the very decision you thought was crazy to even think could happen 2 weeks ago. Hard to think your not just on a wind up.

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

I think this is exactly what's going on, and not just on this thread.

NPHET and Government have spent the last year justifying the measures that have been imposed, the money spent (and indeed lost by closures of businesses), and the damage done to society through the constant narrative of "concern" (including the infamous NPHET worry-o-meter) and blanket media coverage of selective stats and "expert" interviews.

We have Tony Holohan who has a massively inflated sense of his own importance, matched only by his arrogance and indeed ignorant attitude whenever he is even vaguely challenged (as we've seen in press interviews and his twitter "contributions"). His actual competence and suitability though is not so obvious, and long standing.

We have Michael Martin who is a career bureaucrat and an extremely weak politician. Even members of his own party have criticised his indecisiveness, and over-reliance on reports and analysis rather than making a clear decision.
His only goal as Taoiseach was to not be the only FF leader who wasn't. Much like Enda Kenny's crusade to be the only FG Taoiseach to get a second term (albeit at the cost of giving people like Shane Ross and Katherine Zappone a seat at the table), it was an entirely ego driven decision.

Small wonder then when you put personality A above against personality B, the mess we've found ourselves in since is the result - weak governance, conflicting and often irrational and impractical measures based on medical theory not tempered by political and objective reality, and an ever growing disconnect between the measures and those deciding them, and the general public supposed to abide by them.

Speaking of the public. We still have a significant percentage who are obsessed with what others do, or are "getting away with" that they aren't or for whom their "I'm alright Jack" mentality is paramount. So long as whatever-it-is doesn't DIRECTLY affect them, then who cares about anyone else - whether it be covid policy, or housing, healthcare or indeed any other national issue.

Put all this together, compounded by a lack of accountability or consequences for those in authority, and we end up with the country we live in. On the surface we're modern, educated, liberal and progressive - but dig a bit deeper and much of Irish society hasn't progressed at all from the dark days of life under the Catholic Church, or the half-assed "be grand" approach to everything.

Of course, Ireland is an island but not alone, and when the EU money runs out and EU policy on travel, movement and ultimately paying for all this changes, we will then start to see the true cost of the last 15 months and the consequences it'll likely have for at least the rest of the decade - all because of weak politicians, unaccountable bureaucrats, and a lazy selfish electorate all only looking out for themselves.

How far we've come! :rolleyes: (and in before the predictable and tiresome "if you don't like it, leave" responses from those who have felt a nerve being struck).

Excellent post and thanks for taking the time to post it. Speaking to friends across Europe, they cannot believe when I explain where we are the moment. Most of them wouldn't have a clue about Ireland, and even less interest.

Put all this together, compounded by a lack of accountability or consequences for those in authority, and we end up with the country we live in. On the surface we're modern, educated, liberal and progressive - but dig a bit deeper and much of Irish society hasn't progressed at all from the dark days of life under the Catholic Church, or the half-assed "be grand" approach to everything.

If i could take your comments. You're dead right. We really haven't advanced as much as we like to think, or be told by our governments, that we have.

Graham wrote: »

Its being reported that the cabinet could meet earlier than planned to decide on further easing of restrictions. It had been expected the meeting would be held next Thursday.

They aren’t going to be meeting to decide to go ahead with the lifting of restrictions ahead of time that’s for sure

Graham wrote: »

Its being reported that the cabinet could meet earlier than planned to decide on further easing of restrictions. It had been expected the meeting would be held next Thursday.

NPHET decided their next meeting is on 1st July. There will be no decisions made until the outcome of that meeting is known.

Of course the sensible and humane thing to do would have been for NPHET to bring their meeting forward in order to give those in hospitality a little more forewarning either way.

Graham wrote: »

I've no doubt you're right. It looks like it's the scheduling of the meeting that's being brought forward not any potential date for the next stage.

I genuinely wouldn't like to bet how it's going to go.

Go ahead as planned, delay the next phase by a couple of weeks or a partial next phase.

Gut feeling, they'll either have a full push back or possibly partial reopening. Maybe back to the restaurant/food pubs and up till a certain time only. Wet pubs not for another 3 weeks minimum.

TefalBrain wrote: »

NPHET don't give a toss about people's livelihoods, they get paid handsomely no matter what.

Restaurants Association and LVA prominent in media this week with their particular complaint about the short time between being given the green light and resumption of trade. Understandably so. It’s misdirected at government though. NPHET could have held a meeting on Monday.

But you’re right they have no care for any individuals health or for any business’ viability. Some will say that’s not in their remit. I say after they emerged as the only compass through restrictions, it should be.