Relaxation of Restrictions, Part XII Read OP For Mod Warnings

Ah_well. · 24-08-2021 9:41am

K

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796129#Comment_117796129

Well exactly . I’m 41 and at this age it’s not quiet as important to me to be out socialising as it was but even I am finding this whole social situation demoralising. If I were young I’d be climbing the walls and likely feeling really hard done by. Look it’s a once in a lifetime pandemic and up until vaccinations this is the way things had to be unfortunately but it’s time to throw off the shackles now are let people enjoy their weekend experiences

Economics101 · 24-08-2021 9:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117795962#Comment_117795962

I haven't been able to get a full CV for Philip Nolan. When he was in his previous job (medical prof at UCD) what was his speciality> Did he research and/or publish in the epidemiological area? Just curious.

JDxtra · 24-08-2021 10:16am

In future elections, I really hope the younger members of our society - who are current and future voters - remember how they were treated during this pandemic. There was no significant consideration for their well being (mental health, recreational, education, career, financial etc).

Ridiculous conflicting rules that made no sense and impacted our young the most.

Now moving towards >90% of adults vaccinated, and still dealing with restrictions. Rules made by people for whom there is no impact. Rubber stamped by a weak, spineless leader and government.

An absolute disgrace. I'll be glad to see the main political parties, in particular FF, absolutely obliterated. They deserve it.

Gael23 · 24-08-2021 10:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796162#Comment_117796162

Even stuff like how are young people supposed to form relationships? Not specifically referring to nightclubs they were never my thing but unless something gives soon there’s will be a sea of emigration from this country.

What I do foresee though is when outage countries in the EU abandon these measures MM will have a hard time justifying why Ireland has to be different

daydorunrun · 24-08-2021 10:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117795966#Comment_117795966

To be fair the Marathon was cancelled by the organisers because they couldn’t be sure of the situation come end of October. They were between a rock and a hard place as going ahead would have meant paying for substantial costs now only to have the possibility of being told to cancel closer the time. They are a not for profit group so the loss of money for a late cancellation could ruin them.

Comparing the hurling on Sunday with the marathon is apples and oranges though- you could spread the crowd out easily and you don’t have mass gatherings in pubs and sports clubs over the country to watch/celebrate/commiserate.

Ah_well. · 24-08-2021 10:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796345#Comment_117796345

What happened at Xmas has crippled MM with fear. It’s understandable. His time in charge will be short and despite all his extreme caution he will probably never be able to shake what happened last winter.

Penfailed · 24-08-2021 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796059#Comment_117796059

Because people who are vaccinated can still pass on the virus. You know this already.

is_that_so · 24-08-2021 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796048#Comment_117796048

He also said in that commentary that we need to wait for vaccinations to kick in fully for a lot of people. I'd take that long-term statement as an opinion and one which IMO aims to keep people focused on what we've been doing. It may not be the same opinion at the end of September.

Apothic_Red · 24-08-2021 10:39am

Whatever about the small performers playing guitar in the pub for €100 a night plus pints. Most of the wedding band level of performer all had full time jobs anyway. Restrictions are an impediment to earning additional income.

The main victim here is the large scale concert promoter, often they had to sell-out to make money. Lifting restrictions but limiting them to 50% capacity doesn't nothing for their industry unless cuts are endured all the way down the chain. From the lighting riggers to the portaloo supplliers to the act themselves. Can't see it being sustainable.

Ah_well. · 24-08-2021 10:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796365#Comment_117796365

Yes i understand it was cancelled by the organisers. It appears to have been a very rash decision though. I guess they are just too fearful because of the financial implications you have highlighted . By then everyone that would be participating would be fully vaccinated if they wished to be . Seems mad to me it’s been binned .

is_that_so · 24-08-2021 10:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796400#Comment_117796400

They now do a lottery for entries so they'd know well in advance how many they have, probably since last November in fact. There were no guarantees available from anyone so they had really no choice.

Ah_well. · 24-08-2021 10:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796389#Comment_117796389

But they would be passing it on to others who are also vaccinated ? Serious illness would be hugely reduced I’d imagine . This virus won’t vanish . When everyone is vaccinated we need to attempt to resume normal life ?

JDxtra · 24-08-2021 10:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796372#Comment_117796372

Yes, MM is scared of his own shadow.

My opinion of last Christmas is that NPHET decisions actually made our situation worse and it was entirely predictable. They (sorry, Tony) insisted that we go into a heavy lockdown for end of October and all of November. We were told by Government to do this and enjoy Christmas.

This meant that the usual social, dining and shopping experiences over this period were then all squashed into a few weeks in December. All happening indoors, during the normal peak flu season. What did they think would happen?

I bet if they left the restrictions alone our case numbers would not have risen so dramatically.

Penfailed · 24-08-2021 10:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796425#Comment_117796425

I'd imagine you are correct. It's an overabundance of caution. Everyone won't be vaccinated...but we still need to attempt to resume normal life sooner, rather than later.

Ah_well. · 24-08-2021 11:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796439#Comment_117796439

Yes not everyone will be vaccinated but the vast majority will. I guess we will have to wait and see what this comprehensive plan as its being called holds in store . We are being promised clarity . We will see

godzilla1989 · 24-08-2021 11:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796200#Comment_117796200

Its hard to find alright, I don’ think he is a virologist or epidemiologist

Thought I read Nolan was a science teacher, Glen was a physio and Tony a GP and in further education they got all phd’s etc in other fields

I don’t think they are the kinda scientists that have studied infections diseases like Ebola in biohazard 4 labs etc

Open to correction here

bucketybuck · 24-08-2021 11:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796400#Comment_117796400

How was it a rash decision?

Consider this, if they had to make that decision today they still would not have any firm guarantees from the cowardly NPHET government, so how were they supposed to commit to anything weeks and months ago?

Ah_well. · 24-08-2021 11:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796646#Comment_117796646

Well when you put it like that .

Hego Damask · 24-08-2021 12:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796048#Comment_117796048

Sorry social distancing to remain ? so what's the plan for gigs then ? proper gigs ? or even nightclubs ?

Are they open again in the UK ? are gigs going ahead - like gigs as in 2019 gigs - in the UK ?

Allinall · 24-08-2021 12:04pm

Everything except masks to be gone by Christmas.

We'll see.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0824/1242565-donnelly-covid-restrictions/

Red Silurian · 24-08-2021 12:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796766#Comment_117796766

I'll take it

Ashdublinc13 · 24-08-2021 12:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796766#Comment_117796766

I hope you are right. Guesses on covid cert needed for more indoor activities?

timmyntc · 24-08-2021 12:33pm

"Obviously specific dates are something that we would be looking to NPHET for and we'll be discussing that at Cabinet, but yes, certainly the view would be that we would be open this calendar year."

The minister also said certain basic public measures such as the wearing of masks in higher risk environments may be kept in place "for some time."

...

Yesterday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that Ireland is "still not at the peak of this wave of Covid-19".

The govt would like to open things up (gradually) but are waiting to see what NPHET say. So same as always then I suppose.

Also this??

Separately, an Assistant Professor of Architecture at UCD has said that the measures put in place in schools last year would not be enough to manage the Delta variant.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Philip Boucher-Hayes, Orla Hegarty said that "the risk is very different to the last time that schools were open. The variant that we have is twice as transmissible, so it spreads like chicken pox".

Why is a professor of architecture being quoted on infectious disease matters?

seamus · 24-08-2021 12:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796835#Comment_117796835

Unlikely beyond October.

@timmyntc wrote:

Why is a professor of architecture being quoted on infectious disease matters?

She's been talked to before. IIRC she specialises in airflow, ventilation, all that stuff. So not totally irrelevant to be talking to her about it, but could use more clarification in the article.

godzilla1989 · 24-08-2021 12:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796870#Comment_117796870

What qualifications do any of them have in biohazard level 3+ diseases

Correct me if I’m wrong

Nolan is a former science teacher

Glenn a former physio

Tony a former GP

Donnelly a mechanical engineer ( minister for health )

Paul Reid worked for Eircom for 25 years ( CEO HSE )

24-08-2021 12:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796749#Comment_117796749

Philip Nolan said on Newstalk the other day that social distancing and mask wearing would be mandatory longterm. He didn't explain why a country with almost its entire population vaccinated would need to socially distance and wear masks, however. If 95% vaccination isn't enough to get rid of those two restrictions then I don't see how they won't be permanent.

suicide_circus · 24-08-2021 12:57pm

Have some friends from the continent coming stay, they were looking forward to some proper sessions in Dublin's pubs. Thry were dumbfounded when I told them last orders would be 11pm.

suicide_circus · 24-08-2021 1:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796903#Comment_117796903

I don't recall Philip Nolan being appointed to the position of Emperor.

He can take his continously wrong predictions and his maniacal desire to control the lives of others and stick them up his protein spike.

shesty · 24-08-2021 1:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796434#Comment_117796434

I absolutely agree with this.Poor forward planning and Holohan should have been reined in. It's not like Christmas was a surprise, they knew it was coming, and that some concession would be needed.By the start of week 5 of that lockdown it was clear cases were at a plateau, and there should been some lightning quick change of tactic there.....maybe dropping to a L4 and extending it a week or so further into December or similar, in other words allowing people get on with life a bit but extending the time that there were restrictions in place for.Instead they continued to flog the dead horse of L5 restrictions.I actually do not blame MM wholesale for that - I blame Holohan and his group. Surely being experts they could factor Christmas and how best to manage it into their calculations and recommendations.The whole thing was done very badly, and it was precipitated by Holohan, on his return.

Red Silurian · 24-08-2021 1:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796954#Comment_117796954

They should really have done their research before coming over. I was over in texas with work a few years ago, we were being put up in a dry county, it was absolute hell but I wasn't surprised to see no pubs at all because I'd done my research

Red Silurian · 24-08-2021 1:33pm

Remember the NPHET modelling that was done back in June about case numbers, Hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths?

E5DLwdSWEAcDvIR.png

Looks like we're somewhere around Central 1 on case numbers and optimistic on Hospital/ICU admissions at this stage on average

mariab21 · 24-08-2021 1:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796954#Comment_117796954

You need to find better pubs to drink in. My town everywhere is open on a Fri n Sat until normal hours half 1/2 1 or 2 o clock

charlie14 · 24-08-2021 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117796048#Comment_117796048

Except that is not what Professor Nolan actually said. It`s just another example of the many things that were not said on this thread.He did not say that the requirement for mask-wear would be long-term or permanent or even remain at the present level. What he actually said was "We are going to be living with some level of mask-wearing. Easing of restrictions is going to happen...but the advice or requirement to take some of those simple measures - which cost very little but protect us greatly - is going to remain." The one example he did give was mask-wearing on public transport where he said it was "more than good manners". Where the primary aim of mask-wearing is to protect others I can not see any reason to disagree with him. No more than I would disagree that during a flu season it is only good manners to cough or sneeze into a handkerchief or tissue in a crowded area.

I don`t get from that article where you get the idea he somehow doesn`t believe that vaccines work. He made it clear that as far as he is concerned the easing of restriction is directly linked to vaccinations.

What I fail to get though is that a few short months ago nobody had the slightest idea on how to even attempt to control the spread of this virus. Many on these threads dismissing vaccines as either being a waste of time, the uptake would be so low as to male little difference or the HSE would make a complete mess of the roll-out. Now we have many of the same people complaining that vaccines are not some magic bullet that will eradicate the virus. The vaccines were never promised as a magic bullet. Their efficacy was primarily listed as reducing the level of serious illness and deaths. The have done exactly as promised in both those areas and are continuing to do so with a variant they were not even developed to do so with. The other thing I find difficult to believe is that with a virus that has shown how easily it is able to mutate if it has large numbers free to play with, how some apparently believed booster shots, especially for those most vulnerable would not be required. Influenza alone should at least have given them the hint that was highly likely.

24-08-2021 2:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117795966#Comment_117795966

Yes and I and I ran the last 4 years in a row and ran under 2.40 (top 100 out of 20,000 people).

Would have been a petri dish of infection.

A **** storm.

Sweet.Science · 24-08-2021 2:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797328#Comment_117797328

So i assume you think there should never be a marathon held ever again ?

Considering next years and every year after will be no different to this years.

mariab21 · 24-08-2021 2:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797328#Comment_117797328

Will the a good % of people who would have ran Dublin one now not just run the Belfast one?

suicide_circus · 24-08-2021 2:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797107#Comment_117797107

That's big brain stuff my man

24-08-2021 2:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797187#Comment_117797187

It would be more accurate to say that he doesn't believe vaccines work well enough on their own and that they, as Holohan said some time ago, would merely complement the existing measures, i.e. social distancing and mask wearing. This is a better article than the one I linked to: Ongoing rise in cases could impact hospital procedures (rte.ie)

" ... we have to prepare a plan to remove remaining formal restrictions over time", while retaining the key measures of mask wearing and social distancing.

My argument is that if almost the entire population being vaccinated isn't enough for them to no longer be mandatory anywhere, including on public transport (why that would be an issue, I do not know, since most people would continue to wear them voluntarily anyway), then how do they ever go? They're going on public transport in the Netherlands on the 20th of September, and all restrictions are set to be lifted on the 1st of November there: Coronavirus press conference: In-person teaching to resume in higher education (iamexpat.nl) "The cabinet hopes to relax certain measures (i.e. masks in public transport and 1,5-metre distance advice) from September 20, with the aim that all restrictions will be lifted by November 1."

Don't Chute! · 24-08-2021 2:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797328#Comment_117797328

Because of the “plumes” no doubt?

24-08-2021 2:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797409#Comment_117797409

I ran belfast in 2019 (top 50). Tiny marathon compared to Dublin. Organisationally a disaster. Race went wrong way and was 500 metres longer than it was supposed to be . 22K in dublin mabe 5k in belfast. So no to your answer belfast doesnt have that capacity. I m not convinced it will go ahead. NI is total relaxation of restrictions , cases there 2.5 times higher. People in hospital would be the equivalent of 1000 here. Deaths would be 40 a day here equivalent. We will see. Belfast marathon needs to go on financially as they are poor financially after many years of mismanagement. Dublin after 5-6 years of bumper profits are able to weather the financial storm better. It will be back in 2022.

bucketybuck · 24-08-2021 2:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797460#Comment_117797460

As I recall, people be spitting and then others can catch the covid from running or walking over that spit on the ground.

Supposedly.

Obi_Wan_Kenobi · 24-08-2021 2:40pm

So I am a little confused, they say all restrictions gone by December, but masks and social distancing to stay - so what about nightclubs and concerts where the removal of these is essential really - othwerwise it would be shite all spaced out and wearing masks..

mariab21 · 24-08-2021 2:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797520#Comment_117797520

From a simple google search between 15 and 18,000 ran the Belfast marathon in 2019 not much smaller than Dublin.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/belfast-marathon/belfast-city-marathon-2019-results-pictures-and-video-as-record-crowd-take-on-new-longer-route-38080990.html

Restricted to 4800 this year

24-08-2021 2:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797631#Comment_117797631

Most of those were relay races.

Circa 4-5k ran main marathon in 2019.

I ran it, your trying to inform me...

Thats what happens when you run simple google searches... LOL.

mariab21 · 24-08-2021 2:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797648#Comment_117797648

18k took part in the event not 5k, Around 18,000 took part in the full marathon, the wheelchair race, team relay, walk and fun run.

JDxtra · 24-08-2021 2:56pm

Tony is Tweeting like a mad man last few days. Doom, gloom and concern will surely be coming in his predictions. Of course, no mention of previous predictions being wildly incorrect (someone buy Professor Philip Nolan a working calculator, a pencil and a rubber). Maybe NPHET are praying for another variant, because they never seems happy with our progress as a nation and they love nothing more than a good dose of bad news to scare people.