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

Oh I've learned several things from the last 2 years...

• Despite our liking to think "how far we've come", under it all is the same servile, parochial and selfish mindset that has existed for generations. "We" still need approval, to be seen to be doing the "right thing", and we certainly don't like anyone/anything different to this
• Our political system is fundamentally broken. Although there wasn't much difference between them, FF and FGs newfound ability to agree Confidence and Supply or outright Coalition deals has even further removed any notion of accountability or consequence at the ballot box, or of answering to the electorate. Our "alternatives" are the even more populist SF or a variety of lefty one-issue/idealist groups. Yay!
• We are completely risk-averse as a nation, but especially at political level because of the progressively worsening piss-poor weak "leadership" in Government in the last decade or two. In the "old days" it was the Church who effectively ran things. In the last 2 years it's been NPHET and the same useless management of the HSE (who can't provide a sufficient health service despite getting 20 billion a year) who have been dictating policy to Government to protect their own areas and deflect from their incompetence. It's long since been recognised that our response has been more about protecting the HSE than the people from the "deadly" Covid virus
• Even as we finally come out of it (but not before letting others in the UK make the decision first), we still have a cohort complaining that we're moving too fast, still berating anyone who doubts the value of masks, and attacking anyone who isn't as "concerned" as they are

And the main thing to take from the last 2 years? Just as we learned nothing from the Tiger years and the Recession, so too will we learn nothing from this!

Yeah, we waited to see the results worldwide...not specifically England.

Some restaurants and pubs still enforcing the masks rule in Galway ……..

Most spots the majority are still wearing them anyways

We are such a docile population…..

Which is fine as it’s his choice

Being told you have to wear one or won’t be served is another story

With the way the numbers are dropping then there won't be much of a justification at the end of Feb. Too early to say though as of now.

Eh, I dunno about that. I know a few people who are glad the restrictions are ending and it looks like the pandemic is coming to an end, but who also had a huge increase in quality of life this last couple of years because of more time with kids, less money/time on commuting/food etc. They are mostly pissed off at their employers for forcing them back into the office when it seems unnecessary rather than actually wanting restrictions to continue.

And you have to remember, it's been nearly two years. That's a long time to get out of the swing of being in a corporate environment for 8 hours a day. It's not surprising that some people are feeling anxious about going back. It doesn't mean they want everyone else to keep being restricted.

(Sorry for the multi-quotes.)

I don't think Boris's actions in England had much effect on Ireland's lifting of restrictions.

We're not really a free, independent country that can come to our own decisions. We're part of the EU and it's our masters in Brussels who ultimately call the shots. Most restrictions were lifted here because the EU granted us permission to lift them.

In the context of COVID, short-term is very understandable and even desirable with potential changes every 2-3 weeks. The housing problem is very complex, despite claims by the Opposition that even more money will do the trick and in a lot of ways goes back to way before any of the current Dail even thought about politics. Slaintecare is long-term, despite currently being stalled, and Reid seemed to have started on a HSE plan before all of this hit.

I think we are saying the same thing really. Covid reinforced all the natural bad habits of short-term thinking that is common in Irish politics. Completely agree with you on the housing issue and it really has its root in the celtic tiger years where house properties were allowed run out of control because it was fueling bumper tax returns. It requires a long term strategy and making unpopular political decisions.

The health service is the same. When all the local health authorities were rebounded under the HSE umbrella we were promised reform. That never happened. The same way having centres of excellence and more step down facilities while closing regional hospitals was on paper a good idea. They forgot about the first part and just ploughed on with closing facilities before their alternatives were up and running.

Slaintecare looks dead in the water if you ask me and judging by Reid track record, even before his HSE role, I have zero faith he can deliver the reform that is needed.

This Pandemic could and should be the catalyst for reform. It shone a bright light at the major failings of the HSE over the past 10 years. More voters need to keep this fresh in their minds and not forget how easily the hospital system came under pressure and the disgraceful waiting lists that we have now.

Details are important though. The Guardian reports (my emphasis)

Are the gp surgeries back to normal yet, ie no phone consultations?

Mask not what your country can do for you, mask what you can do for your country.