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

the anger and frustration from many of us has been the cost vs the outcome of this whole thing. why should we be happy that are freedoms have been returned when they should have never been taken away to begin with?

Stay unhappy so, that's your choice. It's not a healthy way to be though.

all well and true but not everybody's choice to pay 1000+ for a little apartment and have their savings devalued by inflation. young people continue to get screwed by this country

Rents were crazy long before covid. Inflation is driven by rising energy and supply chain issues, both global problems. NPHET had no part in any of those problems I'm afraid.

You are desperate to get a bit of drama going, running between threads trying to stir up posters and get people to respond.

Its hilarious. And nobody gives a **** which is even more hilarious.

Its nearly over, just as soon as Michael drags himself down those steps and makes it official!

Slightly deflated that the ending of masks in February seems to have been incorrect

I read the 28th February as the ending of masks and restrictions in schools to be honest. Need to get clarity on that tonight.

I'd say Meehaul is bulling this morning about leaks last night. The letter apparently recommends the government be "pragmatic" in lifting restrictions, which implies not dropping everything at once, but phasing it in. The excitement of last night puts the pressure on Meehal now though. He won't get away with dragging this out much longer than 2-3 weeks.

I know we've only one source on masks being dropped on 28th February, but that would seem to make sense; give enough time for the current wave to tail off, allow all other activity to resume first before dropping them.

Masks will still remain in some contexts for most of this year. I expect if you attend any kind of medical appointment (even the dentist), you will have to wear one, and of course any hospital, nursing home or care facility. Until the end of this year, at least. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for hospitals to make this a permanent thing. Attending an A&E feels like going for a swim in sewage.

It truly is the end if he's saying it. I wonder will the constant fear mongering undertaken by 'ISAG' be called out by anyone now this is over?

They're an independent body, accountable to nobody, so who's going to call them out?

I expect we'll see an "open letter" from Hegarty, Staines and Ryan this week accusing the government and NPHET of being "reckless" with public health and imploring them to keep capacity restrictions, masks and distancing for at least the rest of the year.

Their 15 minutes of fame are coming to an end, so they're getting more and more desperate to keep their names aloft.

Will close contact rules be dropped?

you are right, this isn't the place to have such discussions. another issue for another day

Unlikely for a while and it will probably be linked to decisions on masks.

I don't discuss politics with my friends. I shut down those conversations.

My advice is put it behind you and just focus on the friendship.

As in, called out by journalists/media etc. for how they've conducted themselves. I realise they can't be held accountable in any sort of official capacity as they didn't legally do anything wrong...morally is another matter. But you're probably right, they'll make a few final plays for relevance before drifting off into obscurity (hooray)!