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

Numbers in hospital at 463/78,. Great to see it still being low despite the high case numbers

The “trust the science” crowd don’t care unless it supports the covid narrative. They aren’t happy unless it’s as inconvenient and hard as possible.

We’ll see about that.

Totally agree, those people cause more harm than good if they actually want people to stick to restrictions etc! They're upsetting some people and filling them with doom, they're pushing other people closer to saying they've had enough and they're not following restrictions anymore!

I think it's the same with the people who stick up for the government to be honest no matter what! When they're speaking to someone who is at the point where they're completely fed up and saying they're not following any restrictions anymore and so on, there's some people on here who will defend the government and every action they have taken...or inaction, that approach will just make people more likely to double down on what they've said, they'll generally feel more strongly in their opinions so those people are really wasting their time/doing more harm than good, if what they actually want is for people to follow restrictions.

As this debate rumbles on, I'd just say it's no wonder people are confused or fed up. There's some shocking mixed messaging on going via Government, HSE, NPHET etc.

Whatever the side of the argument I'm just amazed at this stage why it is so difficult to achieve one voice in relation to guidence. It's as if various factions within government, HSE, NPHET are competing to be heard loudest all the while deflecting from the real issues, Health Care, Hospitals, Waiting lists etc.

I'd be very, very doubtful there'll ever be a return to lockdowns but at the same time I'm left wondering are Government just operating on a wing and a prayer approach.

I spoke to some people in Hospitality and retail last week and they've seen footfall decrease, some in hospitality are seeing cancellations, primarily due to uncertainty. You'd really have to wonder with all the mixed messaging, will for example companies or groups even bother booking Christmas events.

The Facts are, yes there are high case numbers, Hospitalisations are Stable, Society has in essence fully reopened but its been held back (I believe) with the uncertainty and mixed messaging.

Being objective, the limited restrictions left are really not that un reasonable and things like Face masks are just common sense in certain settings.

We just seem to be going around in circles in my humble opinion.

Yes, I do agree, I just suppose the nature of this is un predictable, in one sense my concern is a lot of small businesses, whilst reopened are really still struggling and perhaps will continue too, no one thing really to blame in fairness but the uncertainty not helping I feel, particularly those businesses depending say on advance bookings, purchases etc.

6 pubs in my village 2010, 4 left pre pandemic, 2 reopened after restrictions lifted, 1 has closed already , remaining one uncertain. Local chipper closed in the summer and one retail shop closed also.

Pharmacy, Post office /Supermarket, 1 Pub left, Grim situation, Tidy Towns considering a Thumble weed display next year.

So you expect me to prove a negative?

"As far as I'm aware" means I haven't endlessly researched the subject, I'm not professing to be an expert.

It's public knowledge when each country introduced masks, all the disease metrics are also publicly published.

If masks have any impact at a population level there would be a clear correlation between their introduction and how the disease progresses in the majority of countries that they were introduced in.

There is no such correlation in any of the countries that they have been introduced in, ergo, any impact they may have is below the noise level and they are effectively, completely pointless.

I can honestly say I have never seen a random doctor "pop up" and talk about anything. I also turned on my TV this morning and didn't see a doctor of any kind so I'm not sure where you're getting your experiences from

The article you pointed out states that masks will be mandatory like the seatbelt in a car but says nothing about "further restrictions" like you claim

Are you trying to start a cult by putting unsubstantiated fear into people's minds, such that they will follow you religiously?

Which events? Do you have examples or are you trying to create fear where there is none? I haven't seen or heard of a single one

At least it puts to bed any discussion of boosters for the wider public as it is clear the only vulnerable to covid are those that are extremely vulnerable anyway with their health condition. Yet the hysteria circus still hangs out in the town.

The word on the street is that IF there is ever a need for more restrictions it won’t be lockdowns but rather likely involve closing access to large gatherings, rather than telling people to stay at home or within their own county.

I would believe you that events may be cancelled.

I think some committees have a person who's a bit flappy and it's just easier to cancel things than having an event and having them I told you so or them just being a general bit of a pain and playing Covid officer!

Have say Christmas Markets would be real addition in encouraging people into towns etc , they tick all the boxes in relation to any concerns people might have, open air, outside etc but I believe a few have been cancelled or are not going ahead , its a real shame. Markets have been full time feature in many countries across Europe, especially Germany.

Even if that scenario comes to pass (and I'm optimistic it won't), it will be a damming indictment of the health service. We should be completely, fully, 100% open right now, with no ad-hoc restrictions, just like the UK are. This disease isn't going away, it's not going to get much better (apart from the newly announced anti-viral pill) so boost the old and vulnerable and let them cocoon if they still don't feel comfortable, and let the overwhelming majority get on with living. We can make our own risk assessments/judgements on our health, as we did before Covid ever existed.

I often wonder how history will treat this period. One of overreaction and excessive caution I feel.