Relaxation of Restrictions, Part X *Read OP For Mod Warnings*

Graham

davidod1983 wrote: »

Germany has been open at times for outdoor dining in last few months, we haven't been

Great example.

Germany has in the last few days had to apply the "emergency break"

I'd rather we didn't.

charlie14

LMAO at the usual suspects still whinging and crying even now when all their doomsday predictions on opening up and Dr. Tony Holohan are looking very very foolish.

Graham

Graham wrote: »

Great example.

Germany has in the last few days had to apply the "emergency break"

I'd rather we didn't.

I'd rather we make data driven decisions when cases are so low to allow people back to work in a safe environment which is what outdoor activities are. That's what Germany does and will reopen again when their case numbers go below a threshold. They operate of a seven-day incidence rate threshold of 100 new infections per 100,000 and it is entirely sensible and have shown to be flexible to open when it falls unlike us.

Graham

davidod1983 wrote: »

I'd rather we make data driven decisions when cases are so low to allow people back to work in a safe environment which is what outdoor activities are.

Ohh ok, that's an interesting change in perspective.

I thought you wanted decisions to be based on what you imagined more relaxed restrictions our EU neighbours had.

I can understand why you'd want to change position now

Graham

Graham wrote: »

Ohh ok, that's an interesting change in perspective.

I thought you wanted decisions to be based on what you imagined more relaxed restrictions our EU neighbours had.

I can understand why you'd want to change position now

Which is what other EU countries do aka Germany and we don't - precisely my arguement. Quite simple really but I guess it's hard to accept you were wrong here when all information you have seen here has showed you.

gozunda

davidod1983 wrote: »

Read my post, take a look around Europe and you will see regarding outdoor dining. Netherland open now, Belgium May 8th, France mid may, Germany, Italy, Spain. Take your pick and maybe do a bit of reading.

I know for a fact that restaurants and cafes in Germany are shut.

In contrast to here and recent announcements - Germany has seen a whole raft of restrictions imposed nationwide due to the recent rise in the rate of infection there

https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germanys-emergency-brake-rules-take-effect/a-57321750

Bit cynical

Graham wrote: »

I think the idea was it would highlight how we're the absolutely most restrictive country ever.

Unfortunately the idea is unsupported by reality.

In fairness we're fairly restrictive by EU standards and have been throughout the pandemic. The chart below shows that we tend to be at the top or close to it.


I think the reason many of us such as yourself don't think so is because we've kind of got used to it because it has gone on so long in Ireland with so little let up. The only time we were below average for the EU was a brief period of a couple of weeks in the summer. Even the Christmas relaxation that people go on about was still quite restrictive by EU standards. It has become the "new normal".

The problem of course is that because we have so overused lockdowns it is going to be hard politically to lift them even when it is in the best interests of the country to do so. This means we could have some form of restrictions long after other countries have abandoned them.

gozunda

Bit cynical wrote: »

In fairness where fairly restrictive by EU standards and have been throughout the pandemic. The chart below shows that we tend to be at the top or close to it.


I think the reason many of us such as yourself don't think so is because we've kind of got used to it. It has become the "new normal".

Are we though or is that something we're telling ourselves? A lot of the low outliers you've included are Eastern European Countries.

Took this from the WID Stringency Index the other day

Included are Ireland and a number of our favourite EU holiday destinations

And guess what? Looks like there's bugger all difference atm between us.

With Greece leading the Pack and Ireland and Italy having the same scores atm. And then with periods of time we're at the bottom of that graph.

Graham

Bit cynical wrote: »

In fairness we're fairly restrictive by EU standards and have been throughout the pandemic. The chart below shows that we tend to be at the top or close to it.

Agreed we do tend to be at the top of the chart although the chart doesn't show how lightly the restrictions are actually enforced. Despite that until quite recently we've done quite well at adhering to them.

The result is we're now in a very strong position which bodes very well for the rest of the year for us.

I think that's a good position to be in as we approach summer.

Graham

davidod1983 wrote: »

Which is what other EU countries do aka Germany and we don't - precisely my arguement. Quite simple really but I guess it's hard to accept you were wrong here when all information you have seen here has showed you.

You'd rather we were like Germany applying the emergency break now and increasing restrictions rather than easing them?

That's a rather odd viewpoint.

Bit cynical

gozunda wrote: »

Are we though or is that something we're telling ourselves?

I am not sure what that question means. I was merely refuting a point someone else had made with data. We tend to be at the top of the EU in terms of restrictions.

Bit cynical

Graham wrote: »

The result is we're now in a very strong position which bodes very well for the rest of the year for us.

I think that's a good position to be in as we approach summer.

Good position for what?

Graham

Bit cynical wrote: »

Good position for what?

Relaxing restrictions, having a summer, a much reduced risk of restrictions being reversed.

Compared to some of our EU neighbours that are currently increasing restrictions, I know which position I'd prefer to be in.

Bit cynical

Graham wrote: »

Relaxing restrictions, having a summer, a much reduced risk of restrictions being reversed.

Compared to some of our EU neighbours that are currently increasing restrictions, I know which position I'd prefer to be in.

But how does being in heavy restrictions for a long time make it easier to open up? Yes we start off with low numbers, but as people make up for lost time with increased socialising, this leads to rising numbers and the tendency to reimpose restrictions. This is not the case to the same extent with countries that allowed some social outlets.

The summer weather and the vaccinations that have occurred help, of course, but these factors help either way.

moonage

It's all rather pathetic.

Horray! Intercounty travel is allowed, hairdressers and outdoor hospitality will re-open. Joy of joys! How wonderful!

It's like a starving man in a prison cell being thrown an apple core and he's delighted with it.

NIMAN

moonage wrote: »

It's all rather pathetic.

Horray! Intercounty travel is allowed, hairdressers and outdoor hospitality will re-open. Joy of joys! How wonderful!

It's like a starving man in a prison cell being thrown an apple core and he's delighted with it.

They have beaten our spirits down that much, that any little relaxation is greated like its an amazing thing.

But sure at least we can get our hair cut.....soon.

charlie14

Bit cynical wrote: »

But how does being in heavy restrictions for a long time make it easier to open up? Yes we start off with low numbers, but as people make up for lost time with increased socialising, this leads to rising numbers and the tendency to reimpose restrictions. This is not the case to the same extent with countries that allowed some social outlets.

The summer weather and the vaccinations that have occurred help, of course, but these factors help either way.

Why do you believe people making up for lost time will increase numbers to the extent that lockdown will be imposed ?
At 50% first dose vaccination in the U.K. it hasn`t happened. Nor does it look likely to from their data plus more people being vaccinated.

Penfailed

Richard Hillman wrote: »

They're never getting rid of masks. You'll be wearing them every winter.

Erm. So they're getting rid of them in Spring, Summer and Autumn?

CruelSummer

D-day. The late night rumours last night were positive, hopefully it remains so today. We can already see people are now doing their own thing re restrictions, better for the government to open up businesses safely & provide a structure to it all.

Leftwaffe

Looking forward to the summer months but I’m also well aware this lot will lock down again come the cold weather. Even if we reach a high percentage of the population being vaccinated they will close up shop. We all know it.

A tiny percentage of cases and a few people in hospital is enough for them to justify it.

Penfailed

Leftwaffe wrote: »

Looking forward to the summer months but I’m also well aware this lot will lock down again come the cold weather. Even if we reach a high percentage of the population being vaccinated they will close up shop. We all know it.

A tiny percentage of cases and a few people in hospital is enough for them to justify it.

This is pure conjecture. You don't know it. We all don't know it.

Theboinkmaster

Leftwaffe wrote: »

Looking forward to the summer months but I’m also well aware this lot will lock down again come the cold weather. Even if we reach a high percentage of the population being vaccinated they will close up shop. We all know it.

A tiny percentage of cases and a few people in hospital is enough for them to justify it.

No they won’t. Ridiculous.

facehugger99

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Hard to understand people getting excited about intercounty travel from mid next month. Just go now. There's been nothing to stop you for a good month

It's honestly difficult to understand the subservience on display.

This is our country not Tony Holihan's.

Go wherever you want to go.

There's not even checkpoints that you need to bullsh;t your way through.

Captain_Crash

While I think it’s too little too late, (as in, the damage has been done) its good that we are finally seeing some sense amongst government. I’m going to try and focus on looking forward as the sh*tshow we have all watched over the last few months can’t be changed.

But I’ve one question really! What on Earth happened yesterday too see such a huge change in direction?? 24 hours earlier there was rumours of nothing much changing till July! Who said what for it all to be brought forward in the space of literal hours?!?

Leftwaffe

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

No they won’t. Ridiculous.

So you’re telling me everything that is opening in this phased relaxation of restrictions will not close again due to public health guidance on COVID-19?

I just want to be sure on this.

_Kaiser_

Captain_Crash wrote: »

While I think it’s too little too late, (as in, the damage has been done) its good that we are finally seeing some sense amongst government. I’m going to try and focus on looking forward as the sh*tshow we have all watched over the last few months can’t be changed.

But I’ve one question really! What on Earth happened yesterday too see such a huge change in direction?? 24 hours earlier there was rumours of nothing much changing till July! Who said what for it all to be brought forward in the space of literal hours?!?

It's a very good question really. I'd say Micheal was put under pressure by both elements within his own party who already want him gone , FG, and the fact that the finances are so bad that they've already been downplaying the ending of the supports and the potential of austerity measures in the last few days.

That and it's blatantly obvious that most people are ignoring them anyway

prunudo

Its not a certainty but it would be naive to think there isn't a threat of some sort of lockdown/restrictions next winter.
It also worries me that they can change their tune and tone in such a short space of time. Much of what is rummoured is overdue but why the sudden change in approach.

_Kaiser_

prunudo wrote: »

Its not a certainty but it would be naive to think there isn't a threat of some sort of lockdown/restrictions next winter.
It also worries me that they can change their tune and tone in such a short space of time. Much of what is rummoured is overdue but why the sudden change in approach.

Suppose it could also be that AGS pushed back because of the impact on morale and the deterioration of their relationship with the general public, and - like last year - the overtime has run out.

facehugger99

prunudo wrote: »

Its not a certainty but it would be naive to think there isn't a threat of some sort of lockdown/restrictions next winter.
It also worries me that they can change their tune and tone in such a short space of time. Much of what is rummoured is overdue but why the sudden change in approach.

Northern Ireland has effectively dragged us kicking and screaming back to normality

prunudo

facehugger99 wrote: »

Northern Ireland has effectively dragged us kicking and screaming back to normality

A sentence I never thought I would read!