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

Yes, they've had higher infection rates, had more people die, and may have reached herd immunity. We will reach herd immunity too, hopefully soon, and we'll have fewer people die. That sounds ok to me.

True but the government definitely setting the scene for boosters for all

part of Martins speech

"It is only our collective effort - full adherence to the rules that remain in place, making sure we are vaccinated and taking our booster when it becomes available, working from home if we're able to, wearing our masks, keeping our distance and being aware of our environment ... that will keep our society and economy open, that will sustain and maintain our progress, that will keep us healthy and safe".

Varadkar

“It does appear now that this vaccine is going to have to be a three course vaccine and we’ll need to extend the third dose to many more people, perhaps everyone.”

Ryan

"The vaccine keeps you out of intensive care," he said.

He urged those who are vaccinated to "get a booster".

"Boosters protect people. You're keeping that bed for someone else.

That's the mantra I've been going with after the seemingly disappointing protection the vaccination was presumed to give us from getting the virus.

Now I wonder, is there really genuine scientific proof that the vaccine is reducing the levels of illness? Or might it be just the spin to justify the whole vaccine role out?

And yes I'm double vaccinated but feeling less than enthused about any more at this stage .

250 out of 615 is 40%

That's huge figure

I think the tweet should have said "on licence premesis" i.e. selling alcohol for consumption on the premises as opposed to an off licence.

Having his haircut before they bring in some restrictions for barbers!

Spot on

I'm already vaccinated but I don't want a mrna vaccine. Not that I think anything mad about dna. It's purely the myocarditis risk for young men which I am. France and Germany recently scrapped moderna for men 30 and under due to it. With Pfizer the risk is lower but still elevated. The incidence of myocarditis was much higher after the 2nd dose than the first so what impact will a third dose have on young men?

I know you can get myocarditis from a covid infection. Its just an anxiety thing I have. Anything to do with the heart gives me heebee jeebees. I'd be worried about it for ages after the jag , I train frequently too and with myocarditis you're supposed to not elevate your heart rate for 6 months after it.

So if they want young men to get another vaccine to be deemed fully vaccinated, I'll be waiting for a new vaccine to appear as it seems j&j and AstraZeneca are out the window when it comes to boosters.

Its so close you can almost smell it!....oh wait, I cant

They have increased the ICU beds to 300 with another 19 on the way .

The issue is staff trained to work independently in ICU , which is ongoing , and the present beds are restricted staffing wise because of people off due to Covid.

Surge capacity into high dependency areas is being used since last week to keep regular services going . . Also there are many patients getting positive pressure respiratory support on main wards , which is normally highdependency care .

This putting a lot of pressure on the staff in busy wards who have now much sicker patients than they usually have to deal with along with their usual workload.

Elective surgery and procedures have been progressed to private hospitals for the last month to ease pressure .

Surge capacity to private hospitals is general care if used keeping ICU and Covid in public system .

ICU runs normally at 100% capacity pre pandemic , with some beds reserved for post elective major surgery . So we are used to being full .

However with Covid the numbers of people required to run separate ICU services is more than just normal surge as happens during busy winters or major accidents . As has been said before it requires total separation from doctors and nurses to porters, admin and cleaning staff .

The big difference with this surge is the health system is trying to keep non Covid care going as well.

My fat finger accidenally hit post on an old draft and I cant delete.

Thanks Vanilla.

I think the government would get a lot more respect and adherence to new guidelines if they were honest about the hospital numbers. Rather than trying to blame hospitality, unvaccinated, etc. if they just said listen, its spreading in the community, its not an issue for the majority but if you present in hospital for something else and happen to be positive it puts strain on the health service.

Instead we have this nonsense of them trying to justify new restrictions and making it out that its because it of lots of seriously ill covid patients.

2 more weeks to flatten the curve....

Lads checking in from UK here - what's happened? Too many hospital admissions? I thought your vaccine progress was about the same as ours? Will we be following you back into lockdown? Well and truly sick of this Covid BS!