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

I know it's time to change the tune we are mostly vaccinated and done everything we can I agree nphet should give it a rest like you say its Christmas.

I think a lot of people are wisely tuning out for Christmas and just going along with the conservative advise to be safe. Especially if mixing with vulnerable family or people that will need a negative test to return home to other countries.

But at some point hopefully more people will question much of the total nonsense that people in positions of power indulged in when they had the chance, Tony closing pubs, Nolan scaring cowards with extreme scenarios. Those pictures of Tony and the children are like something from North Korea.

Many posters commented on the similarity with how Irish people allowed previous groups to exercise authoritarian control. In all previous cases when the mood changed it was fast and severe, church and banks for example. My wish for 2022 is that we something similar here and that it drives reform to the health system and people taking their rights more seriously. Will it come through?

Lastly thanks to all on here that shared their frustrations with the flaws in the response, I read this thread regularly for the year and it has helped keep me sane to know that other people can see the issues and ask the right questions. I am sure there are many more like me you are helping. It might feel very little just posting on boards but it means a lot.

This might actually be the biggest impact of Omicron. Other countries have started setting reduced quarantine times for healthcare workers because they're being hit so hard with shortages.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if some country starts telling asymptomatic health workers to come into work and work on Covid wards until they return a negative PCR.

The problem with that is most doctors are impossible to contact by phone now

Irish Times ran an article a couple of days ago saying we're considering removing close contact rules for key workers. I think the UK have reduced their quarantine period for everyone also.

I'm biased due to my age bracket but I know a lot of people who have gotten it this month and nobody was in any way sick after 4 or 5 days.

I also would like to say, after a lot of nonsense said on here and by Nolan regarding Antigen tests. I've heard of multiple people picking up covid with little to no symptoms on an antigen, then subsequently getting a PCR and testing positive, myself included. Still think its absolutely insane they discouraged their use earlier.

it's been said before but testing facilities in other countries are really something-else compared to Ireland. was in France for couple days up north in a fairly small town(~20,000). Could get a PCR test in three different places. Compared to back home, I can't even get an antigen test by a trained professional in a town less than 20km away from Dublin never mind a PCR.

Enjoying my Christmas in UK. I feel like I made the right choice to move. nobody really cares at this stage here. If there's a lockdown feel free to point and laugh at me though 😀

Hope everyone in this thread has a great christmas and stays safe

Another year over and a new one just about to begin. Doubt this ever crossed his mind when he was writing the song! It’s been another very tough 12 months, with people tested well beyond their levels of resilience add many more have got sick or sadly died. Some people have turned on each other, some have faltered, some have embraced a more philosophical approach to life. In the face of so much frustration it's definitely the healthier path to take.

Once again we have uncertainty about what's going to happen to us next year, but there is definitely much more hope than this time last year. Sure, we may be back to screaming media headlines of hospitals being overrun for a bit but there is a hint of the end of the tunnel coming.  It may be the case that the white knight is in fact the virus itself in the form of Omicron. Even if it's not, progress on other medical fronts should make 2022 a much better year and ideally be the end of all this.

So, enjoy the season for whatever it is to you and be safe into a better 2022.   

I don't think you understand what hysteria literally means. Furthermore, the poster suggested there was not only hysteria but "mass hysteria".

Spolier alert : There is no hysteria.

Happy (hysteria free) Christmas.

Feel free to email the organisation with your educational observations. I'm sure they'd be very interested/

🤣

I have had 4 texts already this morning about positive cases . People who were as careful as possible and just got very unlucky . Anyone still tutting or blaming need a good head wobble now

Semus it's sounds to me that you've finally realised this can't end using the approach we did for almost 2 years.

Your essentially alluding to let it RIP, something that should have happened last July.

The lightbulb has finally illuminated

Can anyone tell me if I need to restrict my movements if I’m a close contact? Went to the cinema with a friend yesterday who took three antigen tests after, all positive (he got a call from another friend who was positive).

I called the HSE helpline and was told only household close contacts need to restrict their movements, non household close contacts only need to take the antigens over a period of 10 days but not to isolate unless symptomatic or positive.

however another friend sent me a screenshot of what’s on the HSE website which says you do need to restrict movements if you are a non household close contact, albeit it’s a tad confusing the way it’s laid out (which is why I called the helpline).

can anyone tell me if non household close contact needs to isolate???

Are we seeing the full benefit of being a hugely vaccinated population now? Only 89 in ICU and 393 in hospital in total. Two vaccinations still prevent hospitalisation and serious disease, especially a variant that is not so serious. It really does seem that way...

And this time last year there was a massive rush to get beauticians, hairdressers, restaurants and pubs shut at 1pm before the full lockdown came in. So far better days this Christmas.

Here's to a way better 2022!