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

Perhaps I'm missing something but NPHET never, ever said empty hospital's, these were Hospital management /HSE/Clinical decisions.

I broke my leg in the middle of this, brought by ambulance to an empty and I'm not exaggerating, empty Midlands hospital, patched up, practically thrown out onto an empty car park whilst on crutches to get a taxi home (none actually available), then had to wait two days and make my way up to an empty Private hospital in Dublin for the consultant (based at the Midlands hospital) to operate), whilst thankfull for the care, it was the HSE that made these decisions, not NPHET.

I’m aware, I was in hospital. It was empty, staff just hanging around, no masks or much care for social distancing back in 2020 either. Keeping services and screening up and running should have been a priority.

The cyberattack was later, no excuse.

I'll grant you that 😉

Basketcase? Lol. You know the same thing will happen everywhere, right?

Today's a good day but won't believe it til I see it

Would be amazing in November when things are back to 2019 normal not this 'new normal'

I'm actually quite shocked at the announcement of NPHET's disbandonment. Delighted! But shocked nonetheless.

If I had woke up this morning and read a coup had taken place and Tony and his buddies had overthrown the government.. I wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

It's almost as if it's an official announcement that Covid is over (I know that's never likely to be the case but it just feels like that) such is the power NPHET has held over this country for the past 18 months.

Probably most shocking of all is that our political leaders have made an independent decision.. and a positive decision at that.. without dithering and dothering and talk of reviews, "lets wait and see" etc.

Or maybe I'm not awake yet and it's all just a pleasant dream!

You'll probably end up going to about 40 gigs to make up for these eighteen months. 😝

He didn`t become a sanctimonious git overnight. He was always one. He probably does consider himself elite but in reality he is just a journeyman journalist.

As remarked earlier golf would be somewhat different in that little or none of the crowd would be in stands. No disrespect to the game of rugby. Nowadays there is very little elitism in the game at any level, but there is a bit of a rump of supports who appear to believe in their own heads, like Kenny, they are elite so perhaps there would have been less of the long look down the nose if it had been rugby rather than the GAA.

'Delta transmissability + relaxed restrictions' is surely the answer.

Look at Northern Ireland if you want to see our future. (3 times as many cases)

People are...tired. We all get it.

It's not NPHET's fault: their sole mission is the health of the entire population. And that's what their recommendations have been based on. Generally speaking, our pandemic response has been pretty good (look at the fourth wave under way in the US for a comparison) and in line with our EU peers.

Not that it`s any concern of your`s but I do have young adult and nieces and nephews in the same age group as well.

If these hundreds and thousands of your start their nightlife at 10 pm then that is by choice. Like yourself it seems they have never heard the expression "when needs must" But then if your user name is an indication of your job then I can see where that would not suit.

We are at almost 70% of the full population, 85%+ of all over 16s and 90%+ with at least one jab. Not sure how useful those ECDC rates are to policies any more either especially as travel is restricted to green certs or testing. We are all more or less in the home stretch in the EU and from any perspective only hospital cases matter now.

I wonder is this us quietly reverting to a strategy closer to England's?

Also very interesting that this NPHET news has come out before Monday's leaks/Tuesday's announcement.

Fair points but gosh don't mention even whispering, the possibility, even a hint of future lockdown, you'll get bombarded with "mentions" 😁