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

It's classified as a pilot event. The officially allowed capacity is 500. We should be well beyond these pilot events now at this stage.

The word is not used exclusively in regard to race.

It's an "I'm alright Jack" attitude. Not at all uncommon in Ireland.

If what you are saying is true, why do you think that RTE, NPHET and politicians are trying to “destroy society”? You say that people in position of authority want a “new normal”? Can you please elaborate on all of this.

I have a completely different view to you. I think people in authority have been trying to navigate through a deadly pandemic. We are almost at the end now and things will return to normal. Yes, the lockdowns were hard. But look at what happened in countries that did not have any proper public health authorities or simply ignored their advice.

Perfectly safe.??

Where is your guarantee that the people serving you will be vaccinated?

Of course they will be wearing masks for all of their shift. Soggy as a soggy thing that will spew aerosols out of the unvaccinated mouth nose, or whatever. Funny that they will check that you are vaccinated.

Still confident that it is safe enough for you?

Yet another crock by HSE/NPHET/DepartmentofHealth/Government.

These idiots really are incapable of running a bath.

I find they are a bit thin on the ground.

On your first paragraph, I guess it is a matter of someone’s perspective on these things. My perspective is that over the last few decades, life expectancy has increased dramatically, due in no small part to the work of public health agencies. I’m not sure what bans you are referring to, but if you are talking about the smoking ban, well this has proved to have had significant health benefits. You can chose to smoke if you wish. But you are no longer permitted to smoke on top of me or my children in a restaurant.

In your second paragraph, did I ever imagine a time when I could have my full freedom back only if I accept a vaccine? There are plenty of examples through history of mandatory vaccination in the face of serious disease. In the 19th century, vaccination for smallpox was made mandatory in England. It was eventually eradicated worldwide in the 20th century. COVID, in its current form, is not as deadly as smallpox was but it is far more deadly than most viruses we know. Without vaccination, we would have to let it run through our population. We would face tens of thousands of excess deaths in a short period of time. In India, excess morality in the last year is between 3 and 4 million.

Your third paragraph again depends on perspective. I’m all for the freedom of the individual and I don’t like the State interfering too much. But when that interference actually benefits everyone, then I welcome it.

Its not comparable with smallpox because it is neither as deadly, nor will it be eradicated. COVID is far too virulent to ever disappear. This is not a fringe opinion either - its well accepted that covid is here to stay. So any vaccination drive should not be with the goal to eradicate covid - its simply not feasible.

With that in mind - what is the motivation? What is the endgame? Vaccinate everyone, and then re-vaccinate them once the virus mutates enough to bypass vaccine immunity - then vaccinate them again and again etc? In that case, why even bother mandatory vaccinating those not at risk such as younger people? Their vaccines could instead be diverted to those that need them - those at risk.

Who says the goal is to eradicate COVID? I agree with you. COVID is here to stay. But when most people have developed immunity, COVID will go the same way as other coronaviruses such as the Russian flu of the 19th century. It will become a strain of the common cold.