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

There's no 60% capacity in pubs, that only applies to indoor venues such as theatres etc

Only change until 22nd October is music allowed from Monday.

Ideally a staggered approach would have been better I think(seeing as that's the way we tend to do things), normal pub hours early October or earlier just for example then all late bars clubs etc on the 22nd but for whatever reason they've decided all on the same day

Obesity is not infectious, as you well know.

Vaccinated people are much less likely to be infected and so spread the virus, as you well know. They are not acting anti socially as they have taken a reasonable measure to prevent them spreading the virus, unlike the anti vax crowd who relish the opportunity to infect other people.

What you're saying here is extremely dubious, its akin to a medieval blood libel. Are you that desperate to engage in scapegoating that you have to lower yourself to saying that people who don't wish to take a vaccine take pleasure in trying to spread infection?

Cases, cases, cases. Who gives a fcuk as long as they are not translating to hospitalisations and deaths as before. How many times does it need to be said on here that the vaccines are extremely effective at preventing severe outcomes. They were never designed to prevent transmission, however, that would have been an added bonus. They are doing what they were designed to do. It's like pissing against the wind at times on here.

I know that but read the conversation in context and look at the posts I am replying to where the poster is trying to justify permanent discrimination against the unvaccinated on the basis of (not fully proven) higher rates of transmission.

I need to highlight that the vaccines don't give sterilising immunity for my argument.

I'm already aware that these vaccines were not designed to prevent transmission but are anti-unvax posters here aware of this?

"Medieval blood libel"? what planet are you on? There are plenty of people who not only do not take the vaccination but who actively try to undermine public health measures.

You said there are people who 'relish the opportunity to infect other people'. That is mad.

Not that I really care that much with one way or the other when so many have made the choice to get vaccinated, but with all the scaremongering and mis-information by ardent anti-vaxxers, from those I have been talking too the general consensus appears to be, don`t come crying to me about your freedoms being curtailed due to your wish to maintain your body integrity when you never gave a flying fcuk about anyone else`s.

Probably a bit harsh as regards those that genuinely refused for that reason, but I can see where they are coming from.

One of the least annoying things about shopping is signage.

Yeah it's harsh, it's also short-termist since today it's a vaccine and tomorrow it could be anything else, and why should anyone assume they'll always be on the 'correct' side of any dilemma?

Plus not everyone who doesn't want to take a vaccine is an activist, preaching this that or whatever.

People like Gemma O'Doherty and Justin Barrett represent no one. They don't speak for anyone but themselves.

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what will happen once we reach close to 100%?

Surely if we have 90 by October than 95 by November wouldn't be impossible to achieve.

By that stage I can't see why masks would remain in public transport and retail.

Airports and planes will remain that way in my opinion, not a hope that will change.

Listening to Mary Wilson grilling Stephen Donnelly now on various issues from Public Transport to the All Ireland Final capacity... just a reminder our extremely cautious approach is not exclusively the politicians fault.

The media are the problem and pretty much reflect our own problem.

We are a fearful, cowardly people.

You don't believe the lockdowns have had any effect on mental health?

All MM said in the speech was booster campaign alongside flu jab campaign to be launched in the coming weeks & the independent latched onto that for their headline. The actual article bar the first line makes no refence to boosters & the 22nd being contingent on them. Clickbait as usual