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

Covid policy has been largely governed by the public opinion poll, which is a terrible way of sampling the public opinion, because it is impulsive and narrow. It is one reason why countries don’t have rule by direct democracy and instead have parliamentary system, which normally allows for taking a long term view, second thoughts and allows for consideration of multiple of factors.

What we have had during the pandemic is that politicians colluded with so called experts and media, and scared the public into compliance. Then they sampled public opinion that was terrified by misinformation only to discover (surprise, surprise) that people supported more mandates. And away they went. The more misinformation, the more terrified the public, and the more mandates introduced.

It is not surprising to see that people are reluctant to let the masks go. This misinformation-terrify the public-more mandates cycle went on for months and so reversing this process will take years I’d say. Wearing mask and social isolation are means that every individual can apply in their own environment and I would expect that a lot of those people who have been warned that they are vulnerable and therefore at risk will continue to apply those measures long after all mandates are gone.

After the mandate is lifted those clinging onto the masks will be a good indication as to how many people have been made scared and terrified by the government, ‘experts’ and media. We will see how big of a problem this is.

Masks check ✔

Scared check ✔

Clinging check ✔

Mask Moan Bingo Check ✔

Playing mask moan bingo as well!

Another totally and utterly obsessed with curtains and people who might twitch them. What happens when these people don't have curtains?

Fromyour comment I can only presume you have someone in your life that that is so mean to you, that they deliberately taunt you by taking off their mask in the pub in front of you (where they don't have to wear one tbf), hold you down and then Force you wear one while you're working? Your boss, your ma?

You might want to take a look at how much of a crank you've become yourself about masks. There's the NPHET advice, a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and an end date. I think that works fine for most people but keep up the outrage if you want. Shopping this morning and nobody seemed to be too bothered to throw off their masks, it's just what we do now but we won't be doing it come Monday week. More interested in looking ahead to plans for the year than masks now I know they are going.

That's grand. Personally I think yet another delay after 18 months of them (when it became clear in the summer of 2020 who in the population was ACTUALLY at potentially significant risk) is too long.

The fact that so many seem to be declaring that it's too soon, cases are still high etc and now want to ignore the NPHET advice they've been brow-beating others with over the last 2 years (I think a previous poster had it right that it's more about losing their WFH lifestyles in some cases as well) means that it's even more important we move out of the restrictions and attending coverage quickly and fully so that these people will hopefully start to relax and rejoin normal society. The mental health impact of all this can't be ignored.

But ultimately I was replying to your post about "processes to follow" as well (hence the delay) which is just factually wrong. It could all be reversed and undone Tuesday night (or even last night if they'd wanted). Presumably Micheal and Co think that giving the "concerned" types another week to get used to the idea will help whereas in fact it's likely the opposite will happen as the Big Day gets closer!

I would certainly like to, can you show me or link for me the official government statement on why masks were mandated?

Not who, when or where, but why?

I'm curious how you can tell the difference between those who wear them because it is mandatory and those who just aren't bothered about it? Is it something in the eyes?

It is rather inane to say that some people aren't bothered so what is the rush, but regardless, it is yet another example of Irelands pandemic response which could largely be defined by "people unaffected by restrictions telling those who are affected to stop moaning".

Unless I am badly wrong, masks are still mandatory in retail so of course they continue to do what they have done, they still have to.

You said that people in shops weren't bothered about it, thats expressly an opinion on other peoples motivations, and its an opinion that begs the question.

The fear mongering was shoved down our throats by NPHET and the government.

Now they're sending out conflicting messages to people. I have always stuck to the rules and I am also triple vaccinated but I have to admit that I completely lost trust in them.

Why don't they just come out and say that they got it wrong, the Omicron virus is harmless and we let it run through the population now?

I would have more respect for them instead this faffing about....