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

Don’t stand so close to me?

Not everyone thinks like you and you might want to reflect on your need to use Twitter for kicks! It will take time, quite some time for a proportion of people to fully readjust so less of the sneering.

To be fair, twitter has been weaponised by those using it to attack anyone not as concerned or anxious about Covid throughout the "crisis", as well as simultaneously increasing the general level of fear in the general population.

You are absolutely right that many will take a long time to readjust to normal life and some indeed may never fully do so, but the problem there is with the blanket and one-sided coverage of this issue over the last 2 years and the impact its had on mental health and society generally, which is clearly going to be far more damaging and lasting on this country long term.

An ability to filter such stuff is a very good life skill and some people recognised that by reducing their exposure to things COVID, many sadly did not and developed an obsession with being absolutely up to date. Some of my extended circle and family were dosed up on COVID news from sunup to sundown. Twitter is a sewer and has been even worse during this and a curated feed is the only way to get real benefit out of it!

If they remove the mask mandate, does that mean still that shops can request we wear one?

I hated getting petrol and then having to put my mask on to enter and pay. So I wonder if petrol stations could still ask for them as an example.

A sombrero you say... eBay here I come

I don't think there'll be any walk down the steps, seems pretty pointless to me personally, he got his big speech done when they lifted everything a few weeks ago, there's not alot more to be said now than there was then. It's something that can pretty easily be communicated via government press release and then the usual press conferences such as is done in NI for example.

There will be a walk I'd say and hopefully tomorrow if the leaks gather pace today.

There's enough there to blather on about with the rule changes, how we have been such good boys and girls, the money to Frontline workers and the extra bank holiday coming up.

It'll be temporary respite from the cost of living inflation.

Pat Kenny again fretting over mask-wearing and nervousness. I'm guessing he wasn't listening to Ciara earlier.

Listening to some of Kenny's guests there the 2 he's had on are supporting the idea of personal choice , despite Pat audibly unhappy with the answer.

As I said the other day, any retailers who try to enforce it will just lose custom to those who aren't.

Nah it's done... they had one of the industry reps on with Pat Kenny a few minutes ago and he reckons that his members want a change and support the idea of personal choice. Also mentioned that he was in the UK recently where mask wearing has disappeared almost entirely and that he predicts we'll head the same way over the coming weeks.

Sounds right... Irish people love consensus and to be seen doing the right thing. When they realise that more and more people are just getting on with their lives and living normally again, they'll quietly put the mask away as well. By Paddy's Day I reckon they'll be the exception, not the rule.