Another full lockdown looming? - mod warning in OP

Dempo1

Avoation1091 wrote: »

Agree and Leo and Coveney have said it as well.

Ah, Leaky Leo and Merc & Perks Simon say so, it's grand then, I truely believe everything that comes from their mouths (Not)

Simple maths and understanding of what actually occurred over the past three weeks, namely shopping frenzy, surely would suggest non essential retail is a factor? Its just a nonsense to suggest otherwise. Perhaps something else occurred that I'm not aware of, Bars hardly had a moment reopened, Restaurants we're hardly packed, maybe concerts?, no there banned, hmmmm, maybe sports events? No there's been none allowing supporters?

It's really not rocket science.

Darc19

The issue with retail open is that people are mingling and moving about.

January is also a very quiet month, so I suspect retailers won't be overly disappointed. My sister has a retail operation with online and thinks it will be a full lockdown and expects her online to make up all lost sales

ixoy

Dempo1 wrote: »

Simple maths and understanding of what actually occurred over the past three weeks, namely shopping frenzy, surely would suggest non essential retail is a factor? Its just a nonsense to suggest otherwise .

Is it much of a factor though and would it continue to be. Shops were busy both because they had been closed and because Christmas further drove purchases . With no sales, January would be a quiet month with low footfall.

More likely is people meeting up and the exponential factor of infection once it gets hold.

Dempo1

1546 new cases, nine deaths, over 400 in hospital, 34 in ICU, and most of the RTE news room missing, Virgin Media stopped their main evening news bulletin since Christmas eve. Government too missing in action, an unplanned cabinet meeting tomorrow, even NPHET hiding as too the entire opposition. Even the first person to get the vaccine in Ireland failed to get any reaction.

Just astonishing given what is going on in the country , everyone in hiding, I get holidays needed but absolutely no leadership evident.

Poorside

In regard to non essential retail and closing it to stop people going out is just common sense, how people still don't realise this is baffling to me, had to go out to drop something off earlier and the traffic going into shopping centres was nuts, if the shops weren't open the people wouldn't be out mingling.

Dempo1

ixoy wrote: »

Is it much of a factor though and would it continue to be. Shops were busy both because they had been closed and because Christmas further drove purchases . With no sales, January would be a quiet month with low footfall.

More likely is people meeting up and the exponential factor of infection once it gets hold.

I do agree but can't accept a blanket statement that non essential retail is not a factor in covid spreading.

ginoginelli

faceman wrote: »

Why am I not surprised. The categorisation of cases has been questionable from the start. Also the contract tracing team aren't medically professionals. This is the spec for a level 2 contact tracer

• Enhanced communication skills and telephone manner
• Ability to compassionately empathise with the patient’s experience
• Ability to remain calm while under pressure
• Ability and willingness to work autonomously with minimal supervision
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining the confidentiality required
• An ability to input data in the HSE’s Contact Tracing software (training provided)
• Clinical experience is not necessary and full training is provided.


The starting salary is €24,601

So very little technical experience or training required. It looks basically like most call centre jobs and could be done from home.

With the amount of people out of work in other sectors why haven't we bolstered the numbers working in contract tracing massively?

Is it a case of of little uptake for the positions as the salary is too low?

GazzaL

It's amazing the amount of eejits trying to justify putting hundreds of thousands of people out of work by inventing bull****. I say inventing bull**** rather than call them outright liars. Non-essential retail has been open for months without any issue, essential retail has been open throughout the pandemic. Cases dropped right down despite retail remaining open. The Government and NPHET have repeatedly comfirmed that retail is safe.

As NPHET and the Government have also repeatedly said, transmission of the virus is predominantly occuring in people's homes. And guess what happens around Christmas time? People socialise in other's homes.

Anyone who thinks it's acceptable to put hundreds of thousands of people out of work, who've been working safely for months, is a scumbag.

Beechwoodspark

Poorside wrote: »

In regard to non essential retail and closing it to stop people going out is just common sense, how people still don't realise this is baffling to me, had to go out to drop something off earlier and the traffic going into shopping centres was nuts, if the shops weren't open the people wouldn't be out mingling.

Said similar to the better half earlier.

The shopping centres have become the only place really for socialising. They are the pubs/restaurants/sports venues/concerts etc etc all rolled into one

In my local one it was absolutely wedged with teenagers flirting/fashion shows (“what did ye get for Christmas”) and messing - kids seemed to be playing a big game of tag or something. Little to no centre security due to the Christmas hol I suppose?

Add to that ppl of all ages really “mingling”.

It was like the old folks christmas get together in the shopping centre cafe right in the middle of it all.

Masks - you’re having a laugh right?!

I got in and out for the grocery essentials in the minimum time possible then sat in the car and watched the madness unfurl.

Lot of ppl just using the shopping centres as their new socializing point.

jam_mac_jam

All the people in the shops whinging about people in the shops...

Beechwoodspark

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

All the people in the shops whinging about people in the shops...

I got in and out in the minimum time possible while wearing a mask and disposable gloves and keeping my distance. And I’m not even in the vulnerable section of the community....

What took the biscuit for me was pensioners aged 70+ Right in the centre of the madness in the cafe having their chats and cake with no masks on and looking delighted with themselves...while all around the place was mobbed

jam_mac_jam

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I got in and out in the minimum time possible while wearing a mask and disposable gloves and keeping my distance. And I’m not even in the vulnerable section of the community....

What took the biscuit for me was pensioners aged 70+ Right in the centre of the madness in the cafe having their chats and cake with no masks on and looking delighted with themselves...while all around the place was mobbed

Yes of course. Everyone else was wrong and you were the only person nipping in.

I thought cafes and restaurants are closed?

Beechwoodspark

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Yes of course. Everyone else was wrong and you were the only person nipping in.

I thought cafes and restaurants are closed?

Not in the shopping centre I was in earlier.

GazzaL

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

All the people in the shops whinging about people in the shops...

Where is the scientific evidence? We've been repeatedly told it's not the issue.

When shops were completely rammed with panic buyers, they weren't viral transmission hotspots. Even less so now given the amount of people wearing masks!

Just because Mary said hello to Margaret as they were passing in the supermarket does not mean that they are viral transmission hotspots. The numbers have increased recently because of people socialising in other's homes, which is to be expected at Christmas time.

The anti-science crowd baying for more lockdowns, forcing safe businesses to close and forcing people out of jobs potentially on a permanent basis, are a disgrace.

jam_mac_jam

GazzaL wrote: »

Where is the scientific evidence? We've been repeatedly told it's not the issue.

When shops were completely rammed with panic buyers, they weren't viral transmission hotspots. Even less so now given the amount of people wearing masks!

Just because Mary said hello to Margaret as they were passing in the supermarket does not mean that they are viral transmission hotspots. The numbers have increased recently because of people socialising in other's homes, which is to be expected at Christmas time.

The anti-science crowd baying for more lockdowns, forcing safe businesses to close and forcing people out of jobs potentially on a permanent basis, are a disgrace.

Scientific evidence of what? I'm not baying for lockdowns. I am fine with all retail and gyms open.

You are arguing against nothing I have said.

I'm pointing out people critical of others when in a shop themselves.

I have no interest in going to a shopping centre during Christmas but if people want to that's up to them.

Windmill100000

Darc19 wrote: »

so I suspect retailers won't be overly disappointed. My sister has a retail operation with online and thinks it will be a full lockdown and expects her online to make up all lost sales

You think? Given the year they've had? Big còmpanies may be fine, but smaller local businesses will most definitely be disappointed.

LessOutragePlz

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I got in and out in the minimum time possible while wearing a mask and disposable gloves and keeping my distance. And I’m not even in the vulnerable section of the community....

What took the biscuit for me was pensioners aged 70+ Right in the centre of the madness in the cafe having their chats and cake with no masks on and looking delighted with themselves...while all around the place was mobbed

God forbid some elderly people are out enjoying their lives rather being stuck at home living in fear.

They obviously know the risks involved and are happy to do what they were doing with that in mind.

Not everyone is buying into the mass hysteria and fear because it's been peddled nonstop for the last 9 months.

Some people have reached their breaking point sooner than others as there's only so much some people can take myself included.

GazzaL

LessOutragePlz wrote: »

God forbid some elderly people are out enjoying their lives rather being stuck at home living in fear.

They obviously know the risks involved and are happy to do what they were doing with that in mind.

Not everyone is buying into the mass hysteria and fear because it's been peddled nonstop for the last 9 months.

Some people have reached their breaking point sooner than others as there's only so much some people can take myself included.

He'd be shocked at all the 70-something year olds that have been working in public-facing roles throughout the pandemic.

Some people have no grip on reality.

Fred Cryton

faceman wrote: »

Would you say that to people like Vicky Phelan or Patricia Carrick?

You’re setting out a very dangerous position with what you’re saying

I would say the same to Vicky Phelan. Is she a medical doctor? No. So why is she wheeled out in front of the media as though she has the slightest clue about anything.

Will gyms close down again?

khalessi

Fred Cryton wrote: »

I would say the same to Vicky Phelan. Is she a medical doctor? No. So why is she wheeled out in front of the media as though she has the slightest clue about anything.

Because sometimes in certain areas, the patients will actually know as much or more then the doctors. It is their illness and they research the crap out of it. Lorenzos oil for example wa sdiscovered by two parents looking for a cure for their kid who had ALD

There was a med conference earlier this year and someone I know non med was asked to speak at it to explain their experience of the illness and the medics at it remarked about their knowledge of the the illness and they replied, why wouldnt I, I am living with it everyday.

juneg

I think the new UK strain has people really worried. I am feeling the same way I did back in March when we didn't know what was coming down the tracks. I'm a teacher and a parent of school going teens so when we go back in January our family will be attending three separate schools. I haven't been at all nervous up to now but I'm beginning to feel it.

Galwayguy35

juneg wrote: »

I think the new UK strain has people really worried. I am feeling the same way I did back in March when we didn't know what was coming down the tracks. I'm a teacher and a parent of school going teens so when we go back in January our family will be attending three separate schools. I haven't been at all nervous up to now but I'm beginning to feel it.

You can't live your life in fear all the time, I go to work every day and while I follow the rules I'm not going around worrying about it 24/7

SCOOP 64

Deleted User wrote: »

Will gyms close down again?

i would say ,yes.

antgal23

juneg wrote: »

I think the new UK strain has people really worried. I am feeling the same way I did back in March when we didn't know what was coming down the tracks. I'm a teacher and a parent of school going teens so when we go back in January our family will be attending three separate schools. I haven't been at all nervous up to now but I'm beginning to feel it.

Take a space cake, someone said it helps with anxiety

JTMan

Deleted User wrote: »

Will gyms close down again?

Hopefully the cabinet tomorrow will make a reasoned judgement that certain activities such as gyms should remain open as the benefits outweigh the small risks. There is minimal evidence that gyms are linked to cases and significant evidence that they help mental health and obviously physical health and immune system. Covid is causing a mental health crisis, the bigger picture effects needs to be considered by the cabinet when weighing up each individual potential restriction. Hopefully common sense prevails tomorrow.

Stheno

JTMan wrote: »

Hopefully the cabinet tomorrow will make a reasoned judgement that certain activities such as gyms should remain open as the benefits outweigh the small risks. There is minimal evidence that gyms are linked to cases and significant evidence that they help mental health and obviously physical health and immune system. Covid is causing a mental health crisis, the bigger picture effects needs to be considered by the cabinet when weighing up each individual potential restriction. Hopefully common sense prevails tomorrow.

They will be doing as much as possible to get people to stay home.

Dempo1

Dempo1 wrote: »

Whilst it's true these business's do offer home delivery, it's not as straight forward as is being suggested. I live rural and due to a bad accident in May, I tried numerous times to get home delivery and just gave up. Some were NOT taking any new customers, Some were offering slots up to 3 weeks after order, Some didn't have half the items needed and Some delivering at absurd times.

I get the concept of shopping online for groceries but its only practical if you live in urban areas, have basic computing skills and have a pretty rigid regular shopping list.

I reverted to www.greatneighbor.com in the end

I’ve spent 6-7 months in the middle of nowhere, with no issues getting Tesco deliveries. And I know my partner’s parents who live in even more “middle of no where” regularly do as well. What you’re referencing is not a rural issue, I live in enniscorthy town centre and early in the lockdown (and even occasionally now) cannot get a slot, or half of what I want isn’t in stock.

Just don’t think you should be making assertions such as yours when you’re one person who started online grocery shopping in the middle of a pandemic.

To be blunt - everything you’ve said is false given my experience and I’ve been online shopping to both urban and rural areas for at least 7-8 years now.

Lidl is another story, they only work with deliveroo so outside major cities forget about it.

Edit to add, I believe dunnes & Iceland also do home delivery but you fill the trolley and pay in store then they’ll arrange a time with you, which can be handy for people, my local dunnes (if not all of them) take orders over the phone for people who can’t come to the shop.

Also wanted to point out - I don’t disagree that you do need some pc skills, but I mean most people are not so stupid they can’t figure out how to turn on a PC, open chrome and go to Tesco.

Darc19

Dempo1 wrote: »

1546 new cases, nine deaths, over 400 in hospital, 34 in ICU, and most of the RTE news room missing, Virgin Media stopped their main evening news bulletin since Christmas eve. Government too missing in action, an unplanned cabinet meeting tomorrow, even NPHET hiding as too the entire opposition. Even the first person to get the vaccine in Ireland failed to get any reaction.

Just astonishing given what is going on in the country , everyone in hiding, I get holidays needed but absolutely no leadership evident.

How can you say gov in hiding? - I'm sick of seeing Donnelly, Varardka, and Martin on every broadcast.

hmmm

Deleted User wrote: »

Will gyms close down again?

I can't see how gyms stay open unfortunately. I don't know why they are open to be honest - indoor, lots of people exhaling heavily, droplets everywhere.

Non-essential retail I can understand keeping open.

I know a few people who would normally be gym-goers who have switched over to hiking/trail-running/mountain-biking for the time being. Hopefully as the vaccines are deployed we can see things improving, but I think it won't be before March/April.