Covid 19 Part XXXV-956,720 ROI (5,952 deaths) 452,946 NI (3,002 deaths) (08/01) Read OP

They're not "warning" of more deadly viruses though really. The point was made that there is no guarantee that Covid is the worst thing to happen in a century and that nothing bad will come along for another 100 years. There could be another pandemic in five years' time and it could be worse.

Key word there being "could". It's basically a lottery. It's guaranteed that there will be pandemics in future, but no guarantee of when they will occur or how severe they will be.

The warning in general is that pandemic preparedness has been underfunded for decades and up to covid was seeing funding dropping continuously. In many ways we got lucky with covid that we were able to pull our sh1t together so quickly to minimise the impact. A more deadly virus could wreak absolute chaos, so there's a need for a global effort to ensure unity on our preparedness for future pandemics.

...down 31 on yesterday. Up 2 on Sunday's number :)

Of course your right but the timing of these things and the context is very important. If they were to report on everything that could be a problem in the future we’re would we be. Also this isn’t the first pandemic and won’t be the last the difference is the media and social media which keep reporting day in day out looking for the next fear driver.

If the same energy and focus had been put on to the health services every year and what we could be facing with its short comings maybe we would be in a better place.

like I said these things need context it’s about feeding the fear and getting clicks.

Spot on as can be seen today the storm is front and centre covid relegated to the benches for now.

Lets be honest we know NPHET and the Government used the Omicron strain as an excuse to close nightclubs and bring in other restrictions, the data isnt there yet to justify the move but do it anyway, keep blaming the unvaccinated and hope it distracts everyone enough to stop pointing out how crap our heath system is despite the huge sums pumped into it every year.

Aren't schools closed anyway tomorrow on account of the date?

It would be pointless. Cork city will be underwater in 50-100 years anyway because of climate change.

we would do better to focus our efforts on areas of public safety which are actually a threat to people's lives

ICU up 7 to 117. Again very little sign of the forecast numbers.

"I'm sure that the Government will have learned their lesson and will fully reopen come April / May of next year"

I'd want to see them use proper metrics for reopening as soon as possible! None of this arbitrary spring reopening nonsense - just to be sure, to be sure like. We simply cannot write off the first four to five months of next year again.

If the numbers in hospital are good enough covid wise, then open up to **** - if that's in mid January so be it.

We need a lot more visibility and clearer messaging on exactly why any restrictions are in place if any.

We should no longer accept these lingering restrictions - we're 93% vaxxed and well into the booster programme. Enough now !!

*Gusser09 I'm sure you were being sarcastic in your post and it wasn't lost on me - but it's a narrative I'm hearing/seeing a lot lately in a more serious vein, and it worries me. This acceptance that restrictions will linger around till the weather improves ? It just doesn't sit well with me.

"The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that tens of thousands of people are not turning up for booster vaccines.

Micheál Martin revealed that in the week beginning 22 November, some 208,000 vaccine appointments were offered and just 80,000 people tuned up.

He added that last week 180, 000 booster appointments were available and only 93,000 attended."

Who could possibly have predicted that 2 years of incompetence and bullshit communication would result in people turning away.

Not bad at all.

...because, health. Only Moderna boosters available currently, according to this article.

Mix and match, take it or leave it (but you must take it).

Sorry, but this falls so far below acceptable medical standards.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40760619.html