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

Surprised at this populist response from you ,Seamus !

Of course many thanks from people who have always been against any type of restriction to their lifestyle throughout . I gave a reasoned answer to why healthcare is having difficulties and what has been looked for , and it is far from 'bringing back masks in most circumstances .

And whatever about that your suggestion to stop testing in health care for an extremely infectious disease is not only ludicrous , but dangerous . I can only think you are trying to stir it up by saying such a silly thing !

In the most infectious diseases where possible screening goes on in the form of questions pre admission for patients .

Many patients would have elective and even urgent surgery postponed if in contact recently with chicken pox for example.

Where this is not possible these patients are/ have been treated but in isolation.

Under no circumstances are infectious patients just mixed in with uninfected patients knowingly and the possible fatalities and morbidity that would arise if this was practice would no doubt lead to legal action against any healthcare service.

To say that the most vulnerable should be knowingly exposed to a virus no matter how mild you or others appear to think it is , is dangerous and stupid , and I am frankly disappointed that you are espousing this view .

Yes this variant is milder for most but enough to hospitalise some people still .

Also by abandoning testing we won't know either when this wave ends or if another more virulent wave is starting .

Again for the more obtuse posters ( not you, although am beginning to wonder given your response ) ..the group have EVERY right as professionals and stakeholders to request or demand a review on guidelines fir public health, just as teachers have requested same time and again in education.

To say that they should not , is undemocratic and goes against all that these posters who are most vocal about the group or other groups right to speak out , have been upset over all along. They are using their voice in an ordered and the democratic manner to speak out about the complete abdication of responsibility by the Minister et al .

No amount of wringing of hands over vaccination is going to affect what happens in the healthservice over the next month or so . Also whinging about capacity is pushing it out o the long finger also . What is needed now is an immediate change in advice on maskwearing.

People are being' requested' to wear a mask in congested settings as numbers of a very infectious viral disease are high and causing increased hospitalisation ...hardly a restriction or barely an annoyance to most . Whether you wear piece of cloth or a higher protective mask would obviously be your own business and if you choose not to , your own business too . Not mandatory , and no laws .