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

The Ozzies are mental though

Do you actually think cancelling the Dublin marathon in October was the correct decision to make ?

They have not been as wrong as often as you imagine but they did miss by quite a bit at times. It may have been not giving enough weight to certain variables. For example in October they didn't account for the effect of a level change kicking in and now just how much vaccination is playing a part and they really should have left those pessimistic numbers off the chart. Even so none of what they do would matter if it weren't for the fact that it is the only input the government has used for decisions since Christmas .

Well, it's outdoor, which is considered safer versus largely indoor which is not.

There has been concert/festivals up north I believe? I thought I saw a poster give a log of such an event ? Why up there but nothing whatsoever here ? Our vaccination rate has surpassed the north now ? I know their uptake in younger people is inferior to ours so I struggle to see why we in the south aren’t trying to bring back large scale events . I guess we will know more when this government plan comes out at the end of the month

Herd immunity is a point whereby existing immunity to disease in a population means any new infections will spread slowly enough that eventually they will burn out rather than continuing throughout the entire population - you can introduce new infections into the population but the result will be the same. Basically herd immunity means that the effective R0 of the contagion is below 1.0. That is the only way the herd can protect those with no immunity.

No, breakthrough cases being 50% would mean there is no reduction whatsoever. Also that figure is dependent on proportion of population vaccinated.

The stats from US are misleading as they reference unvaccinated infections/deaths etc as total figures across entire pandemic - wheras vaccines have only been available for less than 1yr. There is the added issue that vaccinated people are not told to get tested - so a political decision really that hies the medical reality.

Targeted studies show the 50% risk reduction in vaccinated people relative to unvaccinated, for the risk of catching covid.

I have an even better question, it's impossible to give a definitive answer but it's worth thinking about, how many of the 5,000 picked it up at the festival and how many picked it up in the days before and after the festival?

Staff for indoor dining tend to be younger . The argument for social distancing for indoor dining appeared to be that young unvaccinated staff were left exposed to infection. Many of these will now have been vaccinated and shortly all will be . Why then would there be any need for social distancing for indoor dining /pubs ?

K

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

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.

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.

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

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.