Covid in Limerick - Mod Warning in Post #1

BobMc wrote: »

trick with the christmas grocery shop is to go after the offie is closed, and go late and I mean late, no such thing as things running out - the only thing you might find short is fresh pans of bread, was in jetland sunday night 10.20pm or so was in and out and home within the hour (this applies to non pandemic years too)

geotrig wrote: »

Test centre in "wicks" Looked quite busy earlier and had a fine queue at it , biggest tail back of cars I've seen at it at any point when passing , no idea if staggered or grouped etc overall, if that's any indicator it could be a high few weeks numbers wise.

LuasSimon wrote: »

How many of that 30,000 are based in Rathkeale now? not to mention France, Germany, Italy etc

Parabellum9 wrote: »

It's called Christmas shopping, you might remember it from last year when there was no Covid? Anyway, most of the exposed faces in that photo are wearing masks - I've been over there both days this week and it's actually been very quiet, the underground is nearly empty and it's nothing at all compared to normal Xmas in years gone.

One thing I will say is the "restrictions" they have in there are very lax - people just strolling along down the wrong lanes, "unicorns" strolling around without masks and clearly no reason not to be wearing one (even the patrolling Gardai in there wouldn't even say boo to them even though they clearly saw the group). The security guards also useless for it, they only seem to bark at old men carrying shopping for the wrong lane stuff and pretend not to see the rest of what's going on.

LuasSimon wrote: »

Rathkeale-Adare is the 8th highest Covid rate out of the 166 Council areas in Republic of Ireland with a 14 day rate of 353.7 .
Adjoining areas of County Limerick are also starting to rise in recent days.

Lots of details on https://covid-19.geohive.ie/

banie01 wrote: »

Pavee point have finally acknowledged the issues with the annual Rathkeale influx and the danger it presents towards Covid infection rates.

It is very much bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted however IMO.
The interview/Press announcement really needed to be driven home by community leaders in the weeks before Christmas.
Before large numbers had travelled, not as an "oh well" after Christmas.

Travellers returning from Britain put Rathkeale at risk – Pavee Point (via @IrishTimes) https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/travellers-returning-from-britain-put-rathkeale-at-risk-pavee-point-1.4446538

banie01 wrote: »

Not doubting this, but could you link to the Pavee Point press release for that?

banie01 wrote: »

Brilliant, thanks for that, it's not what I asked for though. (Pedantic, I know)
That's the independent carrying an appeal from a Pavee Point member backing a government appeal.
It's not a direct appeal from Pavee Point, nor does such an appeal seem to be anywhere on their media channels.

It isn't a direct appeal from Pavee Point, it isn't on their Twitter timeline, it isn't on their insta nor given the importance of social distancing and travel restrictions.
Is it on their homepage, now granted I'm on mobile at the mo and may have missed it?
There is a "happy "to stay at home this" Christmas" banner, but it's not linking to any other stay put info I can find.

The Pavee Point Twitter in particular is very active. Great resource for sharing their achievements and aims.


There is no immediately apparent appeal to stay put.
No reinforcement of such an appeal on the media channels I've looked through.

Where are the direct appeals from Pavee Point to their constituents, to stay put?

banie01 wrote: »

Thanks again.
As I said in the post you quoted, on mobile so forgive me if I missed a link off their page.

100% agree that the traveller community have the same access to Government advice as every other community, particularly amongst the diaspora.
Of particular note with traveller community however should be how they access that information, and how they follow local news.

Since early November the Government messaging has been to not travel home for Christmas.
I think as early as the 3/11 Varadkar was promulgating that message with the Government following.

All of the main Diaspora orgs overseas have grudgingly followed along with that message.

Pavee Point is the primary voice for traveller affairs in Ireland and is active amongst many of the European Diaspora.
Their taking in board that message and reinforcing it is vital. The are a direct channel to their community and their advocacy has done lots of good for them, it's a 2 way street though, with that voice comes a responsibility to ensure effective public safety messaging.

There is precious little of that readily available via their platforms.

I'm not seeking to blame Pavee Point for facilitating rule breaking.
At worst, ineffective communication and being too late to highlight their immediate opposition to the usual Christmas are the faults I would highlight.

For any community with a large diaspora, their representatives in Ireland be they family, friends or advocacy group carry a responsibility to keep those abroad well informed.
Pavee Point have IMO at least, dropped the ball on that.
I hold no animus towards them for the behaviour of those who came home.
Traveller or settled, there are plenty of idiots enough to go around
Unfortunately:(