Northern Ireland: are you for or against the extension of the current restrictions?

[Whenismumhome]

Obviously as you all know about the chaos that Stormont caused last week, mainly for hospitality business owners and staff.

I know that the CMO has said that restrictions needed to be extended by 2 weeks or else there will be “excess deaths” but the DUP has gone against this and now they’ve all decided that this Friday hospitality will reopen along with hairdressing/beauty and other close contact services such as driving lessons, except for bars/pubs which will reopen the following Friday.

I’m kind of in between. I didn’t want the restrictions to be extended because

1. they said they would be for four weeks and four weeks only
   
   
2. it hasn’t really lowered the infection rate - we are still seeing positive cases in triple figures so what difference has this circuit breaker made?
   
   
3. we can’t keep locking down and businesses need to be open for the sake of people’s income and the economy
   
   But the fact that the CMO has said that not extending them was a bad idea is making me feel a bit paranoid.
   
   What do you all think?

[Mondaymanic]

Completely and utterly against

[IHeartHounds]

Against!

[hopeishere]

I think a full lockdown with non essential retail closed and weddings etc with small numbers eg less than 10 should have been in place for four weeks to really drive numbers down.

Numbers in hospitals are still too high.

Why the DUP see themselves as some sort of party of business is beyond me.

But they're all as bad as each other.

[Whenismumhome]

Yes @hopeishere I agree.

I’m really concerned about this. They’re adamant we will need further restrictions at Christmas time.

I’m just so fed up with this shit show how

[Whenismumhome]

Now * not how

[PrivateD00r]

The handling of the whole thing was absolutely unforgiveable, leaving businesses hanging on to the last minute!

Why do you think infections haven't reduced? We had peaked at what, 1200 a day a month ago, and today it was like a quarter of that? I don't think you can say the restrictions didn't work.

It seems likely we will get another week or two of school closures from mid December. I think after that, we probably need blended learning for secondary schools.

[ButterMeUpScotty]

I think they should be extended for another two weeks (even though I really really want to go out for Sunday lunch!) but the hospitals seem fucked, and I would love to be able to get together for Christmas with relatively reduced risk. But that’s with the caveat of full pay for those workers impacted, and a definite date for reopening. But the whole thing is a shit show, those dickheads on the hill should be ashamed of themselves.

[ButterMeUpScotty]

I really hope not @PrivateD00r, more than anything I think the kids need to stay at school, their mental health and education should mean more than having a scoot round Dunnes. And I love going to Dunnes!

[Mondaymanic]

I don't think the schools should be kept open at all costs. What about other people's mental health. I've known more suicides than covid deaths lately.

[ButterMeUpScotty]

Poor educational attainment, reduced opportunity for relationships, reduced opportunities for jobs and higher education will lead to many more incidents of poor mental health and potential suicides later on. Children, particularly older children/teens need to be safeguarded.

[hopeishere]

I see the DUP already saying no additional school closures at Christmas! Wonder if they will be right.

[NerosFiddle]

They should have closed everything like the south until first week in December. I think it's unforgivable that the DUP chose the economy over the NHS.

[hopeishere]

Looks like they will be another row next week as well!

Ulster Hospital was seriously over capacity today.

[Whenismumhome]

@hopeishere

Looks like they will be another row next week as well!

Ulster Hospital was seriously over capacity today.

It really is dire. I hope this vaccine sorts this whole sorry mess out

[hopeishere]

So are they considering new restrictions tonight? And making an announcement? It's all the hanging on that people don't like! The uncertainty.

[Whenismumhome]

@hopeishere

So are they considering new restrictions tonight? And making an announcement? It's all the hanging on that people don't like! The uncertainty.

Honestly not sure what they have planned.

I totally agree, it’s the not knowing and leaving things to the last minute that is pissing us all off!

[Searchesforhipbones]

Can anyone give more info about the situ at the ulster hospital?

[hopeishere]

Just they have more patients needing admitted than they have beds available.

Apparently schools closing, non essential retail closing, churches, leisure and entertainment are all under discussion tonight. Plus travel restrictions.

[mrsfeatherbottom]

I'd be very surprised if they close the schools. Travel limits is a real possibility and would bring us into line with ROI. They could further delay hospitality.

They should consider closing non essential retail too, given the crowds of people I saw at a local shopping centre the other day!

[Whenismumhome]

It’s all a bloody shambles

[PrivateD00r]

Yup - if the DUP had just done the right thing last week, then it wouldn't have created false expectation. The hospitals are in a bad way, unfortunately restrictions are necessary

[hopeishere]

It's an absolute shambles.

If they close non essential retail but allow them to open for the Christmas rush then they are just encouraging people to mix then.

A full lockdown weeks ago was needed. Non essential retail being open makes people think all is normal.

I'd hate to be a small business or hairdressers tonight.

[mrsfeatherbottom]

I wonder what time they will make the announcement

[Whenismumhome]

@mrsfeatherbottom

I wonder what time they will make the announcement

Are they meant to be making one tonight?

[mrsfeatherbottom]

I thought they were as they were meeting this afternoon. Maybe not