Galway COVID-19, local news and discussion

JoeA3

beardybrewer wrote: »

Before anyone calls her stupid she just got over cancer and i'm at risk. We all approach this from a different place. No harm keeping that in mind.

That’s understandable, fair enough, but tbh I still think it is over-thinking it. I highly doubt anyone’s contracted the virus from handling a bag of red peppers. I’d try to relax that aspect of it anyway.

jammiedodgers

I think if it was a real risk the whole country would have been infected.

Mrs OBumble

JoeA3 wrote: »

That’s understandable, fair enough, but tbh I still think it is over-thinking it. I highly doubt anyone’s contracted the virus from handling a bag of red peppers. I’d try to relax that aspect of it anyway.

We've actually been incredibly lucky with the actual characteristics of this virus. We could easily enough have all been wiping groceries, and I can understand at risk people doing it.

Hulk Hands

JoeA3 wrote: »

Not sure if there’s a list anywhere but I’ve seen several say that they are. Tbh with all the silly mostly unenforceable arbitrary rules they’re putting in place I’m not sure it’s worth the aggravation for a few more weeks - until things inevitably settle down.

I want pubs to go back to normal obviously eventually but the idea of heading with a few mates to a semi busy bar, being guaranteed our own seats and being table served from start to finish actually sounds fairly appealing. Bar food I could take or leave but it's not the worst.

Any ideas of which have said they would open? Trying to get a booking for a couple that week if possible

JoeA3

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Any ideas of which have said they would open?

A few that spring to mind are An Pucan, the Skeff and the Dail Bar. I expect most similar pubs to those (the ones that are fairly spacious and have previously served pub grub) will do likewise.

Gremlinertia

John keoghs, massimo and oslo

Mrs OBumble

There's a list of re-opening pubs being made here: https://www.openingalway.com/p/pubs-and-bars.html

Bobeagleburger

Watching prime time last night. The pub experience doesn't seem like it'll be too appealing tbh.

Can see that sector being in big trouble unless they think outside the box.

Storm 10

6 wrote: »

Watching prime time last night. The pub experience doesn't seem like it'll be too appealing tbh.

Can see that sector being in big trouble unless they think outside the box.

Saw on BBC where a pub in Glasgow is placing a plastic screen all around the bar counter which will allow people to sit on High stools with distancing and arranged the tables and chairs looked ok

biko

https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/spanish-arch-and-claddagh-basin-re-open-to-the-public

City amenities the Spanish Arch and Claddagh Basin have re-opened to the public, but will be closely monitored for adherence to public health guidelines

Barriers were removed in the last few hours and across the city Ballyloughane car park has also reopened

Galway City Council has confirmed to FYI Galway that their community wardens will monitor all recreation and amenity areas and beaches on a daily basis

_Whimsical_

Hulk Hands wrote: »

So you want numerous people working in the sector to remain unemployed, the economy to remain in tatters, and people to postpone a return to normal life? All so a portion of people who medically shouldn't be going next or near pubs mid pandemic aren't missing out? And all while we have single digit case numbers daily in a population of over 4 million?

Thats an utterly bizarre point of view and selfish tbh in a city that's so highly dependant on the sector.

Has anyone a list of pubs opening from the 29th in any case? Some of us want to try and get back to normal

No I would like rules in place that protect everyone. I'd like more thinking outside the box for now rather than a return to business as usual in order to create spaces that provide for all. We are not talking about a small number of people who shouldnt go anywhere because there's a pandemic. We are talking about the millions who fit into the many categories that'll need to exercise caution. Those who are over 55, those who have an underlying condition, live with a person with an underlying condition, live with parents because they can't afford their own accommodation. It's really not a handful. They're the people who will prevent hospitals being plugged up and further lockdowns because they'll HAVE to act to protect themselves and those around them.

To want lack of segregation and a functioning health service for all is hardly "bizarre" or "selfish".
Not quite sure Id say the same of just wanting to be back to the pub as normal regardless of consequences for anyone else. Increased distancing would make more sense for everyone long term.

xckjoo

beardybrewer wrote: »

Yeah I heard the same thing on radio/podcasts from experts but that is older news now. Hopefully it's been studied a bit more. HSE doesn't officially recommend it: https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/shopping-safely-coronavirus/

If even Fernando Muscular Sibilant isn't doing it, I'm having the row with my missus. She hasn't helped the last 2 times and I'd rather shoot myself.

I've a spray bottle with Milton sterilising fluid (mixed in whatever the recommended ratio for household cleaning) and use it to spray down any shopping or mail/deliveries that come into the house. It lists coronavirus as one of the things it kills and you don't have to wipe it off. Although you might want to wipe it off some of the groceries since it does have a rather unique smell :pac:
Not sure how scientific it is but it's fairly low-level effort and could be worth it if you're worried.

Sconsey

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Was anyone doing that?

Yep, I'm still wiping down groceries/deliveries as they come into the house. I dont find it much hassle.

The big-brains on here will tell me I need to get out more or get a hobby. I'm just trying to eliminate a potential source for infection.

ben.schlomo

Sconsey wrote: »

Yep, I'm still wiping down groceries/deliveries as they come into the house. I dont find it much hassle.

The big-brains on here will tell me I need to get out more or get a hobby. I'm just trying to eliminate a potential source for infection.

Each to their own, some people would find it odd and a complete waste of their time though.

Redo91

biko wrote: »

https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/spanish-arch-and-claddagh-basin-re-open-to-the-public

About time. It was a joke how long they were closed for.

?Cee?view

Redo91 wrote: »

About time. It was a joke how long they were closed for.

It would be great if now the opportunity was taken to kill of these areas as drinking spots. This whole thing around the Spanish Arch and Claddagh Basin area has only really developed in the last 20 to 25 or so years. Start enforcing the laws, fine and move on those drinking outside and reclaim the area.

beardybrewer

It is not necessary to sanitize the outside of food packaging. While there is some evidence that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, the risk from handling food packing is very low and there is no evidence that the illness can be transmitted in this way.

https://www.safefood.eu/Food-Safety/Groceries-and-COVID-19.aspx

https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/shopping-safely-coronavirus/

Nether recommend disinfecting food packaging.

ben.schlomo

beardybrewer wrote: »

https://www.safefood.eu/Food-Safety/Groceries-and-COVID-19.aspx

https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/shopping-safely-coronavirus/

Nether recommend disinfecting food packaging.

Yet some of the big brains here would tell us there is!

flazio

The real big brains will know it's not relevant or possible to get everyone to agree on what is and isn't an acceptable risk. You do you and f**k whatever anyone else is doing.
End of the day there was always risks in the outside world for health vulnerable people long before Covid 19 showed up and there will continue to be well after the vaccine is distributed. There comes a time when you have to stop expecting the government to tell you or your neighbours what to do and just look after yourself as you see fit.

Sconsey

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Yet some of the big brains here would tell us there is!

Nope, someone asked if people we still doing, anyone that answered was told to get a hobby or get out more.

Did anyone tell you to wipe down your groceries? no they didn't, but people took offense anyway and gave ignorant, un-necessary responses. Might have been more constructive to just post the links as opposed to having a go at them. Cheap shots from morons.

JoeA3

Sconsey wrote: »

Nope, someone asked if people we still doing, anyone that answered was told to get a hobby or get out more.

Did anyone tell you to wipe down your groceries? no they didn't, but people took offense anyway and gave ignorant, un-necessary responses. Might have been more constructive to just post the links as opposed to having a go at them. Cheap shots from morons.

A poke at me I take it. Try lightening up and climb down off your mightily high horse. It looks like you are the one taking cheap shots here.
Seeing as you are the big brains I’m sure you could find the links for yourself. I didn’t “take offence”, I simply consider the idea of rinsing your groceries as quite ludicrous and completely unnecessary. Each to their own though - if it makes you feel a bit safer, knock yourself out. But lay off on the name calling if you can.

inisboffin

I did it. Honestly I wouldn't have had I not witnessed an old man *snot sneeze* all over a shelf of tins, and someone come right behind and pick one up! It scarred me for life! Well for the pandemic anyway
It's kinda the way you look at food a little bit differently if you've ever worked in a restaurant!

JoeA3

inisboffin wrote: »

I did it. Honestly I wouldn't have had I not witnessed an old man *snot sneeze* all over a shelf of tins, and someone come right behind and pick one up! It scarred me for life! Well for the pandemic anyway
It's kinda the way you look at food a little bit differently if you've ever worked in a restaurant!

Worked in Supermacs (loosely qualifies as a restaurant) for a summer in my formative years. The memories of washing (marinating) chicken breasts at 8am after a night on the beer still linger... If I regaled some of the tales in here you’d never eat a snackbox again. But plenty do and no one has died as a result of eating a snackbox afaik. I think you can over-think these things and work yourself up into a hypochondriac state and it’s best not to imo!

blueshark2

beardybrewer wrote: »

Is anyone still wiping down their groceries?

Not wiping down but for the last few months we've been buying mostly groceries with extra external packaging (packaged veg, multi-packs) then binning external packaging when we get home and washing hands. Groceries with no extra packaging is left for a couple of days.

It's very little extra effort but does mean extra packaging waste.

We also get the odd take-away but bin all packaging and give it a blast for 5-10mins in a hot oven.

Bags of crisps or popcorn, if not from multipack, are tipped into a bowl first and the packaging binned. Seems higher risk holding packaging and eating by hand.

Unnecessary? Maybe, but there's still a lot unknown. We can't pinpoint where community transmissions were picked up.

We do have one person in the house at risk if they got Covid so it's just an extra peace of mind.

inisboffin

JoeA3 wrote: »

Worked in Supermacs (loosely qualifies as a restaurant) for a summer in my formative years. The memories of washing (marinating) chicken breasts at 8am after a night on the beer still linger... If I regaled some of the tales in here you’d never eat a snackbox again. But plenty do and no one has died as a result of eating a snackbox afaik. I think you can over-think these things and work yourself up into a hypochondriac state and it’s best not to imo!

Same as that, worked in fast food as a student too. The things I remember! I completely agreed that you can over think it (but not sure nobody has never died of fast food Definitely sent to hospital from bad hygiene! I remember a first hand incident (yuk). Yes a fine line between careful and hypochondriac for sure. It was just SO visceral with yer man and the sneeze! Scarred me! :eek:

at1withmyself

JoeA3 wrote: »

Wiping your groceries?

I’d suggest getting some fresh air and new hobbies.

Seriously? If someone wants to wipe down their groceries leave them off. We all have different hobbies and traits in how we live our lives and if its not interfering on yours then why do you even care. This is a tough time for everyone and you don't know their circumstances, this is something their doing in the confines of their own home.

biko

JoeA3 wrote: »

Wiping your groceries?

I’d suggest getting some fresh air and new hobbies.

Don't mock people's fears please.
We are dealing with a deadly virus and anything people want to do to not get the virus is ok.

_Whimsical_

I have a system for my groceries.
I probably do need a hobby but frankly I am in a category that would put me at a particular risk so I feel I have to be careful.

First week or two I wiped things down but found it exhausting. Ironically the people who have serious health issues during this are the people least able for the wiping and cleaning.

Anyway times rolled on and I needed an easier way so what I've started doing is dumping all groceries on one table I don't use.
I decant anything I can out of its packaging, you can tip the cereal bag out of the cereal box, tip individual crisps out of their 6 pk bag etc. I tip all those things into one basket and put them away. They're all perfectly safe.
Somethings like bread I tip into ziplock bags.

If somethings in cardboard but can't be tipped out I just leave it on the table for 24 hrs because cardboard is no longer a risk after 24 hrs. Then I put it away.

If something's plastic but I won't need to use it for a few days like washing up liquid I just leave it there for 4 or 5 days and don't touch it. After it's had it's little holiday on my table it's safe to use because it only survives so long on plastic

I put all meat packages in a plastic bag before they go in the fridge and I'm careful to wash my hands and surfaces they've been on after I use them.

Then you're just left with a small few things to wipe down like milk etc.

I don't think this is great and I'm not advocating it for everyone but if anyone is sick or has elderly relations with little energy who are at risk and feel they need to be extra careful with groceries , this is the best, least exhausting way I've found of doing it. Might be of use to someone here!

Storm 10

One in a million chance of catching the virus in Ireland now

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/expert-one-in-a-million-chance-of-randomly-contracting-covid-19-1006429.html

_Whimsical_

Storm 10 wrote: »

One in a million chance of catching the virus in Ireland now

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/expert-one-in-a-million-chance-of-randomly-contracting-covid-19-1006429.html

He said: “Even the small number of cases, the 10 or 15 cases a day that we’re seeing, most of those are known contacts of clusters and households and workplaces.

“Whether it’s nursing home or hospital or meat factory, where there’s already known to be cases.

“So the risk of just someone in the street in the community unexpectedly showing up with it is around the one in a million per day, which is great.”

I find it hard to make sense of this.
Do meat factory workers not socialise, go to Dunnes etc? Are households suddenly islands and none of their inhabitants turn up buying groceries or drinking down at the Spannish Arch?

15 people a day means that over the course of a 2 week period there have been 210 people who are contagious.
According to stats the average person now has 6 close contacts at risk of contracting it.
That doesn't leave you with 1 in a million chance of contracting it.

The same Dr also recommended those in at risk categories continue cocooning.

It's a very confusing picture.