Social distancing Megathread

Cantona's Collars · 18-03-2020 2:45am

All the justified hullabaloo about pubs in Temple bar being packed but the next day while RTE were reporting from the street there,you could see people in the background greeting each other and hugging, shaking hands and kissing on the cheek.

In my work,it can be hard at times to keep distance but it's workable if some people had a bit of cop on. Unfortunately some don't and would literally stand inches from you or lean in over you to pick up something or look at a screen when a simple request while standing back a bit would suffice.

Stheno · 18-03-2020 2:45am

ITman88 wrote: »

Does that seem excessive to you knowing what we do about Italy’s demographic?

No they are reporting 30k cases when given 9 out of 10 are asymptomatic according to one of their studies that wod mean 3 million infected

ITman88 · 18-03-2020 2:57am

Stheno wrote: »

No they are reporting 30k cases when given 9 out of 10 are asymptomatic according to one of their studies that wod mean 3 million infected

So at present we have have 3000 cases in Ireland.
That’s death rate comparable to the flu in both Italy and here

acequion · 18-03-2020 3:12am

Excellent thread OP and very moving posts by many who have genuine reason to fear the negative effects of social isolation. Very real and very plausible concerns and I, too, would worry.

It's all well and good to say get out and explore the countryside and the forests but what if you live in a county like Kerry with the highest rainfall levels in the land? And also,coincidentally or not, one of the highest rates of mental health problems. Fine, you might say, go out anyway regardless of the weather and again, ok, but don't tell me that constant gloom and drizzle don't impact!

Personally, as quite a loner, some time for solitude is not a big problem for me. But too much is too much and as I tend towards anxiety and depression, I really need balance in my life. Already, I'm tending towards insomnia and prowling around the house at all hours of the night,right now it's gone 2.am and I'm in no way sleepy. I'd be out cold at midnight at the latest if life was normal.

But like the OP, I do feel that this is necessary. I just so sincerely hope for everybody's sake that it doesn't go on too long. Already I'm vowing that I'll never sweat the small stuff again once I get my life back.:)

Hoboo · 18-03-2020 3:15am

ITman88 wrote: »

Does that seem excessive to you knowing what we do about Italy’s demographic?

I think it's extremely optimistic. If they have enough tests kits, which they won't, that figure will be far higher. The number currently infected but not displaying symptoms yet already dwarf's that.

El Tarangu · 18-03-2020 9:47am

Balf wrote: »

Somebody will have to take something on the chin.

I hope I'm not misinterpreting you, but your post could read as, instead of sacrificing some economic growth, we should sacrifice large numbers of people who are not young/healthy.

ITman88 wrote: »

So at present we have have 3000 cases in Ireland.
That’s death rate comparable to the flu in both Italy and here

This is kind of a misnomer; a post from another thread describes it succinctly:

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Flu R0 value: 1.3
Wuhan coronavirus R0 value: 2 - 2.5

Flu death rate: 0.1%
Wuhan coronavirus death rate: 2%

So it's about twice as contagious as the flu, and about 20 times more lethal.

loyatemu · 18-03-2020 10:16am

I think the other issue is that as well as being twice as contagious, many people have no symptoms yet are still contagious (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/03/13/science.abb3221)

Anyway, China is coming out of lockdown now, having gone into it in January. That's 8-10 weeks, in a much denser country (the cities at least). There's obviously a risk of it re-igniting afterwards, we'll need to have more stringent checks on people entering the country etc. We may have to lock down smaller areas if there are outbreaks (this apparently worked well in Italy, their problem was people had already left those areas to spread it elsewhere).

As for damage to the economy - governments are going to have to find imaginative solutions (which may look a lot like socialism) and central banks are going to have to print more money; but at the end of the day as long as food is still being produced, no-one will starve.

ITman88 · 18-03-2020 10:29am

El Tarangu wrote: »

I hope I'm not misinterpreting you, but your post could read as, instead of sacrificing some economic growth, we should sacrifice large numbers of people who are not young/healthy.

This is kind of a misnomer; a post from another thread describes it succinctly:

I was trying to make sense of what the other poster was saying.
If you read his post he said we have 10 times more people infected than confirmed.
That’s 3k infected in Ireland??
And 3 million in Italy!
Calculate the death rate using his figures

18-03-2020 10:38am

ITman88 wrote: »

I was trying to make sense of what the other poster was saying.
If you read his post he said we have 10 times more people infected than confirmed.
That’s 3k infected in Ireland??
And 3 million in Italy!
Calculate the death rate using his figures

He's likely right about the infections though. Considering the way the virus works, people can be infected without showing symptoms, while others will simply have lesser signs, which they'll shrug off.

As for the death rate, nah. There are too many factors to consider when looking at an individuals risk. Such an estimate based on a "death rate" is inaccurate at best...

CtevenSrowder · 18-03-2020 10:44am

AulWan wrote: »

I stopped reading there. It is selfish.

You're more concerned with making money and socialising, then with reducing deaths.

"Somebody has to take it on the chin"

I genuinely hope its not one of those at risk people you claim to love.

"I stopped reading there". That's your problem. You refuse to look at the broader societal impact of what you propose. It's madness. And you do this because it's in your personal interest. Bury your head in the sand all you like. There will be lives lost if the economy implodes aswell, do you not understand that?!

And yes, someone does have to take it on the chin. That's the whole point. This is the problem you refuse to acknowledge. I want to limit the numbers who do, you want everyone to. You are talking as if there are no serious consequences to your position, and refuse to acknowledge them when they are pointed out to you.

Charles Babbage · 18-03-2020 10:46am

Stheno wrote: »

No they are reporting 30k cases when given 9 out of 10 are asymptomatic according to one of their studies that wod mean 3 million infected

Which study showed that 9 out of 10 were asymptomatic?

ITman88 · 18-03-2020 10:49am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He's likely right about the infections though. Considering the way the virus works, people can be infected without showing symptoms, while others will simply have lesser signs, which they'll shrug off.

As for the death rate, nah. There are too many factors to consider when looking at an individuals risk. Such an estimate based on a "death rate" is inaccurate at best...

Ok what your saying is . .
We can presume high infection rates which are accurate ie currently 3000 cases here. .
But we can’t use those presumed infection rates to calculate death rate . . Because that would be inaccurate

Stheno · 18-03-2020 10:51am

Charles Babbage wrote: »

Which study showed that 9 out of 10 were asymptomatic?

https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-undiagnosed-spread.html

Also I was referring to one study in Italy where they tested an entire town and 9/10 who tested positive were asymptomatic.

It appears to be something that is becoming more well known at this stage

18-03-2020 11:02am

AulWan wrote: »

Talk of only isolating those at risk is crazy talk.

No. It's realistic. And practical.

No nation can afford to have their whole population isolated for an extended period of time. Even now, large numbers of people are working in spite of the virus, and as the government gains a better understanding of the risks involved for a population group (those already working), they'll have a better understanding of how to protect those remainder called back into work.

Right now, the details are slim, because there is so much that is still an unknown about the virus. The period of distancing is to give the government the time needed to observe how other countries ahead of us in terms of the virus respond, and the effectiveness of their efforts.

AulWan wrote: »

This sounds like going down a dangerous path to me.

Of course it is. Its a dangerous disease. You seem to want a perfect system without any risk or inconvenience to anyone. You're not going to get it.

In your scenario what happens when someone who is not categorised as high risk, lives with someone who is?

Or are you suggesting that families be split up, the elderly and "at risk" people isolated somewhere, while the rest of the population carries on as normal?

I find the attitude funny. I didn't provide a scenario.. I said that the economy will be restarted, with most people going back to work, and there will be measures used to reduce the risk to them... based on a better understanding of the virus either from domestic observation, or by learning from other countrys' mistakes/successes.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the economy restarting with most people being encouraged back to work within three weeks.

As for the old/young, or those with a pre-existing condition, they'll make their own choices, but distancing remains the best option. I don't have all the answers... neither does any government.. and that's why you're being unreasonable expecting such.

18-03-2020 11:06am

ITman88 wrote: »

Ok what your saying is . .
We can presume high infection rates which are accurate ie currently 3000 cases here. .
But we can’t use those presumed infection rates to calculate death rate . . Because that would be inaccurate

Well.. no need to reinterpret what I wrote.. unless you're having difficulty reading.

You're simply trying to score points at this stage rather than actually discussing the topic.

ITman88 · 18-03-2020 11:15am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Well.. no need to reinterpret what I wrote.. unless you're having difficulty reading.

You're simply trying to score points at this stage rather than actually discussing the topic.

I am having difficulty reading.

My initial query was regarding high infection rate.
My second query was regarding applying the high infection rate to extract a death rate.

I’m not point scoring, I’m trying to apply logic using the figures that are being proposed.

18-03-2020 11:35am

ITman88 wrote: »

I am having difficulty reading.

My initial query was regarding high infection rate.
My second query was regarding applying the high infection rate to extract a death rate.

I’m not point scoring, I’m trying to apply logic using the figures that are being proposed.

You're looking for specifics where there are none.

The infections are likely higher due to the lack of symptoms for a roughly two week period, and many people experience lesser symptoms which are shrugged off, and so not reported. They're still infected though and capable of passing the virus on to others.

You really should research the infection rates yourself rather than simply objecting to other peoples posts. It's not as if the information isn't commonplace.

As for the death rate, I said that I have no interest in basing anything on a death rate, because there are too many factors to consider. Ireland is a very different country to S.Korea, Italy or China... and Irish people lead different lives in terms of activity, eating habits, nutrition, etc. I'm not going to put any faith in a death rate.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 18-03-2020 12:00pm

If you maintain strict isolation for a large popuation over an extended period of time, you of course run the risk of a second edipdemic - suicide - from people who already suffer from mental health issues. AT this point, you're just protecting one vulnerable group at the expense of another. All the social media or walks on Bray beach is not going to make a blind of difference - what a lot of people need is direct social interaction.

Suicide, however, is not contagious, and will not clog up ICU units; so will be seen as the lesser of two evils by the authorties.

ITman88 · 18-03-2020 12:01pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You're looking for specifics where there are none.

The infections are likely higher due to the lack of symptoms for a roughly two week period, and many people experience lesser symptoms which are shrugged off, and so not reported. They're still infected though and capable of passing the virus on to others.

You really should research the infection rates yourself rather than simply objecting to other peoples posts. It's not as if the information isn't commonplace.

As for the death rate, I said that I have no interest in basing anything on a death rate, because there are too many factors to consider. Ireland is a very different country to S.Korea, Italy or China... and Irish people lead different lives in terms of activity, eating habits, nutrition, etc. I'm not going to put any faith in a death rate.

I appreciate your response it’s very well articulated.

As regards objecting to other people’s posts, ironically, I was initially defending the objection to my own post, but I would expect that on a discussion forum.

Lord TSC · 18-03-2020 12:31pm

AulWan wrote: »

@Lord TSC if your father is over 60, diabetic and asthmatic, then him working driving a taxi is insane. Please try and get him to stop.

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/at-risk-groups.html

You are more at risk of serious illness if you catch coronavirus and you:

are 60 years of age and over

have a long-term medical condition – for example, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer or high blood pressure

have a weak immune system

(immunosuppressed)

Hey AulWan,

Believe us, we are not ignorant of this. I can tell he's very worried about the whole thing.

But he still feels that, financially, he cannot just stop work for an undefined amount of time. He's still got his mortage, his bills, etc. It's not there'll be an abundance of alternative jobs for him.

And I'll say this; 90% of the taxi drivers in Drogheda are the exact same. Older age group, underlying conditions, but quite simply cannot afford to stop working.

He's trying to limit the number of people he's taking; apparently most of the taxi drivers are avoiding hospital runs, and they've developed lists of what houses are currently sick. He's not sitting on the rank, and luckily has a decent client list who he can rely on. He's only taking individuals, and ensuring everyone sits in the back seat.

At the same time, he doesn't have **** all savings. And he simply cannot afford to just shut his business down for the next 6 months. He could take two or three weeks, but after that, bills will need to be paid.

This is all, again, before we even delve into the serious mental health issues he suffers from.

Its all lovely in theory that we can talk about everyone going into their houses, shutting the doors and spending the next 6 months looking at the walls, but it's something that just is not possible for a lot of people.

Thelonious Monk · 18-03-2020 12:33pm

There wont be any work for taxis anyway

D3V!L · 18-03-2020 12:46pm

I drove through Malahide (Dublin coastal town) yesterday with my wife. It was packed !! The beaches were teaming and there were people out in the droves.

It was like any normal holiday. Social distancing my hole :mad:

AulWan · 18-03-2020 1:01pm

CtevenSrowder wrote: »

"I stopped reading there". That's your problem. You refuse to look at the broader societal impact of what you propose. It's madness. And you do this because it's in your personal interest. Bury your head in the sand all you like. There will be lives lost if the economy implodes aswell, do you not understand that?!

And yes, someone does have to take it on the chin. That's the whole point. This is the problem you refuse to acknowledge. I want to limit the numbers who do, you want everyone to. You are talking as if there are no serious consequences to your position, and refuse to acknowledge them when they are pointed out to you.

I dont need to keep reading. I get it.

Societal impact my ass.. This is all about money.

You're happy to sacrifice more lives to Covid to keep the economy going.

So excuse me if I think its bull**** you're acting all concerned about suicide rates.

More people are going to die from Covid then by their own hand, but deaths by suicide won't impact on your precious all important economy.

CtevenSrowder · 18-03-2020 1:13pm

AulWan wrote: »

I dont need to keep reading. I get it.

Societal impact my ass.. This is all about money.

You're happy to sacrifice more lives to Covid to keep the economy going.

So excuse me if I think its bull**** you're acting all concerned about suicide rates.

More people are going to die from Covid then by their own hand, but deaths by suicide won't impact on your precious all important economy.

What about those that rely on charity to survive, where are they going to turn to? The whole functioning of society, including the functioning of our healthservice, relies on a functioning economy. It's not "all about money" as much as it's all about society. You can't get away from this fact. You still refuse to accept this. And this is because it's in your own self-interest not to, which makes your original claim of me being selfish laughable. I truly don't believe you understand the impact of what you are proposing. Where is the money going to come from to obtain basic medicines, and not so basic medicines, when the government is effectively bankrupt? Because if we are self isolating 7 months from now, it will be. This ignores the long term impact of such a measure, which will be bleak. You refuse to even consider such events. It's bonkers, as I've said. All short term decisions have long term implications.

And it's not about sacrificing lives. I've already said the onus will switch to those most at risk to self isolate. Increased testing to help prevent "healthier" members of their family not get and pass on Covid. Social support for those most affected by isolation would need to be greatly increased also. It is in the broader interest to this, the very same reason being given (rightly) for us all self-isolating now.

faceman · 18-03-2020 1:16pm

D3V!L wrote: »

I drove through Malahide (Dublin coastal town) yesterday with my wife. It was packed !! The beaches were teaming and there were people out in the droves.

It was like any normal holiday. Social distancing my hole :mad:

There’s less likely to be touching outdoors and recommended distances can be easily maintained. I’d be less concerned outdoors.

We need to be careful here. Cutting off access to the outdoors would be devastating.

Thelonious Monk · 18-03-2020 1:20pm

faceman wrote: »

There’s less likely to be touching outdoors and recommended distances can be easily maintained. I’d be less concerned outdoors.

We need to be careful here. Cutting off access to the outdoors would be devastating.

It will probably happen sooner or later if this is the case in other EU countries

Macy0161 · 18-03-2020 1:35pm

The question I would have is when does it become unnecessary? Once rates of infection, and recovery, reach a certain point will it not get to the point that those that are out the other side go back to (the new) normal?

faceman wrote: »

There’s less likely to be touching outdoors and recommended distances can be easily maintained. I’d be less concerned outdoors.

It's not being maintained though. I was out in Roundwood yesterday, and there were large family groups (grandparents/ parents/ grandchildren) out. They weren't maintaining distance with each other, but more critically, not with randomers that they met (on sometimes narrow) paths.

Glendalough was also absolutely wedged during by the traffic on the road.

Ashleigh1986 · 18-03-2020 1:57pm

What needs to happen regarding loans / mortgages / insurance etc is a 3 to 6 months deferral .
Let credit unions / banks put the loans onto the end of existing loans .
Give people a break for 3 to 6 months .
I will pay all my loans but I won't be able to afford to pay loans due in the next 3 to 6 months if this carries on beyond June .
We did bail the banks etc out .
I expect an announcement later today regarding all loans .

El Tarangu · 18-03-2020 2:47pm

Ashleigh1986 wrote: »

What needs to happen regarding loans / mortgages / insurance etc is a 3 to 6 months deferral .

In Italy, they have already suspended mortgage payments; I suspect similar will happen here.

CtevenSrowder wrote: »

What about those that rely on charity to survive, where are they going to turn to? The whole functioning of society, including the functioning of our healthservice, relies on a functioning economy.

Debt, is the short answer to this question. Governments will issue bonds, and the market will snap them up - there is nowhere else for capital to go at the minute. 20% of the value was wiped off my (very modest) portfolio in a week; investors will be falling over themselves to buy government bonds - we'll be ok.

CtevenSrowder · 18-03-2020 3:03pm

El Tarangu wrote: »

In Italy, they have already suspended mortgage payments; I suspect similar will happen here.

Debt, is the short answer to this question. Governments will issue bonds, and the market will snap them up - there is nowhere else for capital to go at the minute. 20% of the value was wiped off my (very modest) portfolio in a week; investors will be falling over themselves to buy government bonds - we'll be ok.

I don't disagree ir being the answer in the very short term however we're talking about long term self isolation, that being continuing as we are for 6 months plus. There is only so much debt the government can take on. I believe any longer than 3 months and we're in big trouble. We're likely to have nearly all the Worlds largest economies taking on extreme levels of debt. It's only sustainable in the short term (no more than 3 months imo), as oppose to 6 months and anything up to a year and a half which is what the poster I was responding to was advocating.

Assetbacked · 18-03-2020 3:05pm

Ashleigh1986 wrote: »

What needs to happen regarding loans / mortgages / insurance etc is a 3 to 6 months deferral .
Let credit unions / banks put the loans onto the end of existing loans .
Give people a break for 3 to 6 months .
I will pay all my loans but I won't be able to afford to pay loans due in the next 3 to 6 months if this carries on beyond June .
We did bail the banks etc out .
I expect an announcement later today regarding all loans .

To add; rents should be deferred or reduced for existing tenants and the landlords can then claim the difference back from the government. The squeezed middle can't be squeezed further with the current measures.

Idbatterim · 18-03-2020 3:06pm

El Tarangu wrote: »

In Italy, they have already suspended mortgage payments; I suspect similar will happen here.

Debt, is the short answer to this question. Governments will issue bonds, and the market will snap them up - there is nowhere else for capital to go at the minute. 20% of the value was wiped off my (very modest) portfolio in a week; investors will be falling over themselves to buy government bonds - we'll be ok.

I dont know if a blanked defferal makes any sense, many wont have taken a pay cut etc. The banks will need to be capitalised, deferral for those who need to do it, of course. But otherwise it makes no sense...

c68zapdsm5i1ru · 19-03-2020 10:40am

It's a really simple thing we've been asked to do, keep a metre between yourself and other people when out and about. But the number of people who still stand right behind you at the checkout, brush right up against people on the footpath when there's plenty of room to leave a space etc is really annoying for those of us living or staying with a vulnerable family member.

My local supervalu has notices up and regular announcements about complying with social distancing but still people blithely ignore it.

Just give - people - space.

Kivaro · 19-03-2020 10:53am

Maybe a good place for me to re-post this from the "positives" thread.

This is a graph that proves social distancing works.
It worked back in 1918, and it will work 102 years later if we all abide by social distancing norms. The graph shows what happened when St. Louis introduced social distancing as a result of the Spanish Flu outbreak, but Philadelphia did not. The graph should give us all hope:

df26ee36f79f85f57ad0137d3bf12c52

biko · 19-03-2020 11:00am

Poop yourself, the smell will make people stand a bit further away

CinemaGuy45 · 19-03-2020 11:03am

biko wrote: »

Poop yourself, the smell will make people stand a bit further away

Before I seen you're post the same thing was going through my head but I decided not to post it because it seems immature.

But it was funny.;)

Beasty · 19-03-2020 12:14pm

Threads merged

growleaves · 19-03-2020 4:55pm

It's a really simple thing we've been asked to do, keep a metre between yourself and other people when out and about. But the number of people who still stand right behind you at the checkout, brush right up against people on the footpath when there's plenty of room to leave a space etc is really annoying for those of us living or staying with a vulnerable family member.

Its not simple, its highly unnatural.

And even in the IT articles telling people to stand 2M away from each other there are photographs of Varadkar and Harris standing 12cm away from people.

growleaves · 19-03-2020 4:58pm

image.jpg

CymbaltaMan · 19-03-2020 8:46pm

:eek::eek::eek:

Social distancing - I've seen first hand what been isolated awaiting tests does to not only youself but to those that you interacted with previous. It's not nice, like being a dirty leper etc etc

But

Social distancing on the verge of paranoia has gripped me!!

I work in a hospital & will have close immediate contact with virus carriers, aggressive and restrained.

# How would you react to being near me afterwards?

# Am I right to segregate high level. Everyone !! Parents, Friends, Girlfriend etc etc etc

Scoondal · 19-03-2020 11:09pm

I am starting to like this community isolation / social distancing. I am talking to my neighbours more now. People are more open to chat in supermarkets. There is a feeling of less consumerism and more social contact. Irish people aren't really that social, but with space between us, we are lovely to each other.
We don't need pubs nor drink to be nice people.

Idbatterim · 19-03-2020 11:18pm

they have done well, buy time, implement measures , fine. I am not really prepared to live like a hermit for months, I am living alone now, I dont think locking down the entire country for months, is acceptable. Start addressing the key issues, let the elderly shop in the early hours or whatever, ban kids from grocery shops whatever. But shutting the country down for a few weeks is one thing, from a social and financial perspective. Shutting it down for months, is going to create serious social and financial problems...

20-03-2020 1:05am

Idbatterim wrote: »

they have done well, buy time, implement measures , fine. I am not really prepared to live like a hermit for months, I am living alone now, I dont think locking down the entire country for months, is acceptable. Start addressing the key issues, let the elderly shop in the early hours or whatever, ban kids from grocery shops whatever. But shutting the country down for a few weeks is one thing, from a social and financial perspective. Shutting it down for months, is going to create serious social and financial problems...

You keep bring up the idea of the country being shut down for months, but there's little sign that's going to happen. China didn't shut down completely except in Wuhan, and even then, there were measures for people to walk around outside, go shopping etc once the initial panic had passed...

Those particularly vulnerable will continue to isolate themselves, but the remainder will be able to go back to work or live their lives after a few weeks. The point is to gauge the effects of the virus, and determine measures to decrease the risks. Hence the need for social distancing, to give some time for Ireland to observe what happens in other countries which are ahead of us, and also for Ireland to determine it's own reaction.

However, I really don't believe Ireland or just about any country will shut down for months to the extent you suggest. It won't be the same as before the virus appearing. People will need to be careful, and people will die.. that's a given. Still, others will be perfectly happy to take that risk to their lives once the dangers are known... right now there are too many unknowns about the virus.

Idbatterim · 20-03-2020 2:07am

just saw this, lads its so true, less than a week in, endless contact on phone , seeing some people face to face, endless documentaries, films, series, more than you could watch in your life time & we are starting to climb the walls! Food and drink an absolute pittance ... Jesus maybe all these threads about the younger generations these days being absolute snow flakes are spot on

90148423_10219409040195616_8558231385393856512_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=DpZtZQbnVXcAX9bIeU3&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=bb87197eba22272e792912c0f0c7d2dd&oe=5E9886FF

Idbatterim · 20-03-2020 2:10am

Deleted User wrote: »

You keep bring up the idea of the country being shut down for months, but there's little sign that's going to happen. China didn't shut down completely except in Wuhan, and even then, there were measures for people to walk around outside, go shopping etc once the initial panic had passed...

Those particularly vulnerable will continue to isolate themselves, but the remainder will be able to go back to work or live their lives after a few weeks. The point is to gauge the effects of the virus, and determine measures to decrease the risks. Hence the need for social distancing, to give some time for Ireland to observe what happens in other countries which are ahead of us, and also for Ireland to determine it's own reaction.

However, I really don't believe Ireland or just about any country will shut down for months to the extent you suggest. It won't be the same as before the virus appearing. People will need to be careful, and people will die.. that's a given. Still, others will be perfectly happy to take that risk to their lives once the dangers are known... right now there are too many unknowns about the virus.

Ireland is a ridiculous nanny state. Now in this particular situation in the short term, it may be beneficial. I dont know what way things will pan out, nobody does. Its not just me suggesting it might happen, many others on these various threads are too. We are just saying if that happens, the consequences will be seriously ****, potentially worse than just doing what you think will play out in your post, which is what I hope happens...

Agent Coulson · 20-03-2020 6:57am

I wonder what the 3 people in the ISS are thinking about whats happening down here on earth since they have social distancing covered.

PopePalpatine · 20-03-2020 7:54am

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I wonder what the 3 people in the ISS are thinking about whats happening down here on earth since they have social distancing covered.

"Can we stay up here longer?"

20-03-2020 10:14am

Idbatterim wrote: »

Ireland is a ridiculous nanny state. Now in this particular situation in the short term, it may be beneficial. I dont know what way things will pan out, nobody does. Its not just me suggesting it might happen, many others on these various threads are too. We are just saying if that happens, the consequences will be seriously ****, potentially worse than just doing what you think will play out in your post, which is what I hope happens...

Yes, but it's what you're focusing on. I haven't seen you talking about Ireland shutting down for a few weeks or a month, and moving on... Instead, most of your posts seem to be related to how fcuked we're all going to be for/after shutting down for months or "long term"

I think everyone knows the world would be screwed if it was shut down long-term.. which is why it won't happen. Saving lives is important, but not emerging into a dystopian apocalypse scenario is also important.

Logically, social distancing will happen until we've got a handle on the panic relating to the virus, and technology/medicine can combat the worse risks of it, and then there will be gradual reactivation of essentials, and then the remainder. It's what's been happening in Asia. We'll get to see how they do it, the mistakes they make, and learn from them.

paw patrol · 20-03-2020 12:15pm

while I see the reasoning of the new legislation which will allow gardai to break up house parties.

I am very concerned at the effect on our liberty to grant agents of the state such powers. Sure it's temporary for the emergency but fcuking hell so was PRSI...:eek:

This is police state sh1t.
I hate how people actually approve of trading their freedoms for security

:mad:

20-03-2020 12:20pm

paw patrol wrote: »

while I see the reasoning of the new legislation which will allow gardai to break up house parties.

I am very concerned at the effect on our liberty to grant agents of the state such powers. Sure it's temporary for the emergency but fcuking hell so was PRSI...:eek:

This is police state sh1t.
I hate how people actually approve of trading their freedoms for security :mad:

If this was the US, I might agree but it's Ireland. There is neither the culture nor the desire for such a changeover. There's no underlying system to support such a totalitarian state. In the US, corporate entities, and a supremely powerful rich class exists to subvert control. Nothing even close to that here.

I'm all for the change to give the Gardai such powers, and I was rather surprised they didn't have them already.

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