Covid 19 Part XXXV-956,720 ROI (5,952 deaths) 452,946 NI (3,002 deaths) (08/01) Read OP

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118849777#Comment_118849777

It's bizarre listening to some people. Nobody is being stopped from wearing a mask if they want to. Yet, listening to those talking heads last night you'd swear this was the case.

seamus

@Goldengirl wrote:

 Wear a mask in a crowded setting not just to protect yourself but to try to keep spread down sowe don't end up in a situation where more restrictions become necessary .

Realistically a return to any restrictions will only be necessary if a new variant emerges which is more dangerous. We've now passed the peak of a wave of uncontrolled infection, and the world (and the health system) hasn't collapsed.

The discussion about bringing back masks is obsolete for a number of reasons;

1. The current wave is already subsiding
2. We now know we can "live" with covid
3. Anything less than an FFP2 face mask is literally useless against Omicron.

So bringing back face masks, even in limited circumstances like shops, would be nothing but theatre.

The issue here is one of categorisation and testing. We need to stop isolating asymptomatic cases. And we need to stop testing asymptomatic cases. Yes, even in healthcare. We don't routinely screen admissions for other infectious diseases, and covid is no different. Highly infectious, sure. But at the peak of any other wave of infection we don't test patients for that infection unless they present with symptoms of it.

Stop testing all hospital admissions (stick to symptomatic only) and our hospital numbers will collapse, and the burden on the health system instantly relieved. People wearing masks in shops will be do absolutely nothing to relieve the pressure on the health system.

shesty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118849789#Comment_118849789

Well to be fair, I did see a little line in an article yesterday that said apparently prior to the letter being sent, some members of the group queried whether it was within the power or remit of the group to be sending such a letter to Government, and they were overruled.So there is obviously some uncertainty in the group itself.

Couldn't care less whether people chose to wear masks or not myself, as you say - there are worse situations to be in. If the last 2 years have taught us nothing, we should at least have learned that "this too shall pass".

is_that_so

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118849789#Comment_118849789

You say this but don't say what was in the letter or what exactly they were asking for...👏 fullmarks for stirring the pot .

In some reports it was suggested there were questions as to whether they even had the authority to send such a letter. A bit disappointed myself with this wild arm flailing by the HSE and INMO by people who I thought have done very well otherwise throughout this. It's also pleasing to see the government head off/ignore this. I wouldn't wholly blame the media here but they really are facilitating anyone with a pet worry, no matter how wrong it is.

DLink

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118849993#Comment_118849993

"If the last 2 years have taught us nothing, we should at least have learned that "this too shall pass"."

But this shouldn't be the case though. This is the kind of talk that had us restricted for 2 years in the first place...

The "next few weeks & flatten the curve" dragged on for 2 years, it was illegal to leave the country, illegal to leave your county, illegal to leave your town, illegal to sit on a public bench outdoors, illegal to visit a beach or isolated beauty spot yet out glorious police force were rubbing our noses in it by fúcking dancing, yes, dancing, at said beauty spots and gloating about it on Twitter, being forced to wear those hateful, pointless face masks, no house or hospital visits, no socialising, critical services suspended or deferred, GP's were / are afraid to answer the phone to you, never mind let you into the surgery.

The list goes on.

"This too shall pass" shouldn't even be in our vocabulary, because that's just shrugging your shoulders and giving in. How long more should we shrug our shoulders for?

Let the laws lapse and move on.

Xander10

Donnelly's soundbite, feeding a new wave of media hysteria, is very unhelpful.

Micky 32

A slight drop in hospitals this morning. No increase today. Hopefully the begining of a new trend.

bennyl10

Should we not be listening to those working in hospitals though?

If they are saying Covid is a problem, and hampering ability to do services should we not be pushing a message to try help this? Hospital staff don't want restrictions any more than other people, they affect them also.

Surprised government aren't at least asking to reduce social contacts at the minute, something which could actually help this

seamus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850262#Comment_118850262

Lowest daily admissions in a week and discharges are catching up. Daily case percentages are dropping, so most likely the start of a downward trend overall.

In ten days all this wailing about hospital numbers will likely be completely defunct as the numbers will be dropping away. Fascinating to me how consistent it's been through all waves (except the first one) that the gnashing and shouting about introducing tougher restrictions from unions and other interest groups, only comes about when cases have already peaked. Not a peep from them when it's clear that case numbers are skyrocketing or about to skyrocket, but sheer panic at the top of the curve.

Goes to illustrate how governance by committee is so bad at reacting to fast-moving situations. But the time they can arrange a meeting and write a letter, their thoughts are already out of date.

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850272#Comment_118850272

Hospital issue isn't COVID itself but the handling of it

And the hospitals inability to do their job

It's great news if we really are having hundreds of thousands of cases a week.

The government are in a tricky situation here. If they cave once again, well then restrictions are permanent.

Because every single time those cases rise the same groups will be demanding them again.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850272#Comment_118850272

They've asked/forced people to do that for 2 years. People don't want to do it any longer.

Most people got COVID and realized that it's not bad at all. A very mild illness for a few days is not worth all the hassle.

And yeah we know some people will die but we've very few excess deaths so what's the big deal.

seamus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850272#Comment_118850272

Well, they are still pushing the message for people to wear masks in risky situations and assess the safety of any social situation before going into it. That's the message.

In terms of listening to the people working on the front lines - absolutely, when it comes to assessing the current state of play. They will tell you exactly what the problems are, exactly what the difficulties are. Better than anyone else.

But for solutions to these problems, should we listen to the front line staff? No more than any other qualified expert. To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Those on the front line can tell you how to help each patient individually. They can probably also give really good suggestions on how best to arrange the working practices inside the hospital to be more efficient. But are they best placed for answers on how to stop people coming into hospital in the first place? Well no, not really. That's not their area of expertise.

Like I say, as counter-intuitive as it may sound, stop testing everyone coming into hospitals. As soon as someone has symptoms, whack a mask on them and test them. Otherwise, business as usual. They're being hamstrung by the need to isolate patients who have no symptoms.

bennyl10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850295#Comment_118850295

Inability to do their job is nice soundbite, but it doesn't help the front line staff in hospitals.

While covid is rampant in healthcare settings, and staff are dropping like flies(with a lot symptomatic) should we not take some steps to try and ensure we can limit those numbers?

Masks on public transport won't really hurt anyone, neither would (and it would be more affective) asking people to limit social contacts.

growleaves

Slava Holohan! Slava Pfzier!

FintanMcluskey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850392#Comment_118850392

Like I say, as counter-intuitive as it may sound, stop testing everyone coming into hospitals.

Good to see most people are completely awake now.

It's been a long and illogical 2 years, where Ireland suffered a great deal more than most other countries on earth.

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850412#Comment_118850412

Nobody is going to limit their social contacts, even if they're asked to.

Donnelly had it right, anything short of severe restrictions is just virtue signalling, and there is no appetite whatsoever for severe restrictions.

The best first step here is likely to review the isolation rules in healthcare to minimize the staff that need to be off work.

waterwelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118849590#Comment_118849590

Who is calling for restrictions?

Take your pick, it would be like shooting fish in a barrel.

waterwelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850412#Comment_118850412

Masks on public transport would be a waste of time.

Sofa King Great

If it is rife in the hospitals where masks remain madatory and HSE staff are catching it in work (reports of 5k+ staff off at the moment) then the masks aren't preventing the spread.

Why would the same masks somehow prevent the spread in other environments?

shesty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850104#Comment_118850104

That's the spirit I was saying it in.

We need to stop flapping around and just get on with life.Next month, this will have died down again, for another few weeks.Can't keep doing popup restrictions every time numbers appear to go up, because they will go up, come down and it wil move on til next time

Obviously in the background the Health service should be -and should have been - doing a lot more to sort itself out and should have been implementing results from the lessons they have been learning for 2 years now, but sure we can all dream I suppose.

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850742#Comment_118850742

That's why they're not decision making

They're basically just calling for random sh1t

fun loving criminal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118850742#Comment_118850742

I don't think we even moved on from the advice of 2020. That advice being all about distancing.

I was in A&E a few weeks back and the administration staff behind glass screens with holes for passing through forms weren't wearing masks. They were spaced out but come on it's airborne and distancing is useless in the same room.

Then there were idiots in A&E with masks under the nose and dare I say it, kids running around without masks. Then there was someone else who was pure thick wearing their mask, thought they couldn't be heard with their mask on, so went around asking people for a light for their cigarette but pulling their mask off their face while asking people.

It's not the masks. There's stupid people everywhere.

seamus

Very strong decline in positive swabs today. Down to 36% from 46% this day last week.

It's over-over. Through evolution and vaccination, Omicron is now rendered functionally no worse than any other common illness. We've proven it can spread unmitigated without causing problems.

We are now actually at the point where some of the continued measures are causing more trouble than they're preventing. If you're sick, stay at home. If you're not, go to work/school. No need for testing any more.

Hopefully this spells the end of it too. According to Donnelly, the only thing that would stop the surge is a 'full lockdown'. Piecemeal measures for show are useless.

https://twitter.com/MichealLehane/status/1508756781648027652

DLink

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118851078#Comment_118851078

Those unmasked ruffians, they're going to kill us all 🤣

NedsNotDead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118851078#Comment_118851078

Another story by Away With The Faries that may not have happened

robbiezero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118851171#Comment_118851171

Lot of the usual apes pulling their hair out in the comments on that tweet. First time I have ever seen a comment from Donnelly and thought - "That man is speaking sense".

waterwelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118851230#Comment_118851230

You think everybody wears their mask correctly at all times?

I've seen all of the above described scenarios many times in many settings.

That's why very few wear masks we are intelligent enough to know they are a waste of time.

Micky 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118851171#Comment_118851171

Jesus some of the replies to that tweet certainly show how many sad individuals out there. I’m guessing that they didn’t have much of a life pre pandemic.