Northern Ireland v Southern Ireland

[Saoirse7]

Is anyone (especially those in border regions) absolutely perplexed at the stark contrast in advice from the British and Irish governments?

I'm in the north and I am getting more and more worried by the minute as news of regulations of school closures, pub closures etc trickle in. All island organisations such as the GAA have suspended all trainings and matches. Churches have cancelled masses, confirmations and communions. Weddings have been limited to 100 people to allow for social distancing.

Yet here we are, mere miles from each other going about our daily business in two completely different ways. Politics aside, I really believe we need an all island approach. By nature of living on an island we already have the means to control this. I am cared and unnerved at how our parties cannot agree on what to do, this is not a political issue it is a humanitarian one.

what about the social distancing?

What about social distancing? I dont know anyone going around shaking hands and kissing.

Should Leo have discussed this with Arlene before he made his announcement?

If you want an all Ireland approach then surely cooperation is key.

Zombie Fan,

The guidelines state people should not be closer than 1.5-2m apart. I see photos and videos of grown adults at concerts, in bars and in nightclubs.

Specifically, please tell me how can social distancing be implemented in school as I cannot see a feasible solution to this.

Cooperation is definitely key @random18. I'd love to know though what communication did go on and who was involved.

Definitely should have been an all ireland approach. I live in a border town in the north but as of today/tonight must bars and restaurants have shut and a lot of people have taken the decision to keep children off after st Patrick’s day if Stormont don’t get there first.

The guidelines state people should not be closer than 1.5-2m apart
You still haven't linked to where the WHO say the UK or Ireland should be doing that at this time!

how can social distancing be implemented in school
You still haven't linked to where the WHO say the UK or Ireland should implement social distancing in schools at this time! If that were the actual advice then surly Ireland should be closing all schools indefinitely! What difference will their be in 2 weeks?

If their should be an all island approach then why hasn't their been an all EU approach?

www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/world-health-organization-latest-coronavirus-covid19-news/

-Break the chain of transmission
-Don't let this fire burn
-The greatest error is not to move

All of the above are not being implemented in the UK.

While it doesn't specifically mention social distancing it discusses the cancellation of large gatherings, limiting travel etc all of these are applicable to schools yet there is no cancellation.

Ireland is an island, hence why an all island approach is sensible. Other EU countries are experiencing different rates of growth due to first contraction so impossible for them to share the same policy.

NI and ROI rates were growing in tandem so it is possible to have a joint approach.

zombie Realistically the schools will be closed for more than 2 weeks.

Then why hasn't that been said?

They will be closed for the foreseeable realistically. My niece's school in ROI has been shut for "2 weeks" but her parents were told resources online for beyond 2 weeks are available.

Breaking the chain of transmission means just that, for the UKs plan to work many people (around 49 million) to be precise must contract it. The exact opposite of 'breaking the chain'.

'The greatest error is to stand still', this means to do nothing. Precisely what the UK are doing. Staying at home for 7 days isn't exactly a novel or new idea for any illness let alone Covid-19.

Zombiedan, thepolitical chip on your shoulder tells me there's no point continuing this discussion with you. God speed to you and yours, lets hope you don't lose any loved ones complying with Boris' plan.

You're absolutely right Saoirse7 but a significant number of posters here have blind faith that the UK's unique approach is right and the rest of the world is wrong. They can't provide any evidence to substantiate this feeling. It just is that way because Britain says so and Britain knows best

I reckon they'll backtrack in a matter of days.

Because who knows how long this will have to go on for? They don’t have an end date, things are so
uncertain right now and constantly changing. I will say myself and everyone I know here in Ireland are happy with how our government are dealing with it.

for the UKs plan to work many people (around 49 million) to be precise must contract it. The exact opposite of 'breaking the chain'. wtf, that is not the UKs plan. Where do you get this stuff from?

'The greatest error is to stand still', this means to do nothing Precisely what the UK is NOT doing.

Saoirse7 Agree to disagree, the UK, including N.I. has a good science based plan. I also hope nobody loses a loved one but I am very worried for my relatives who live in Ireland and have become pawns in Varadkars head in the sand approach. As long as he is 'seen' to be be doing something, anything, it doesn't matter to him because he will not be around to have to deal with the consequences.

And just in final point it's worrying to place all trust in the UK government... they are not reporting or testing all cases. Essentially reporting incorrect figures to as to ensure their figures stand whichever way suits their argument. Not a government I trust in anyway.

Arlene and her party are dancers to any tune the mainland play. When Boris says close school Arlene will agree.
They're lethal.

Precisely what the UK is NOT doing.

So what exactly is the UK doing? I can't see evidence of any sort of decisive action other than telling people to wash their hands and stay away from cruises

Herd immunity:

www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/coronavirus-what-is-herd-immunity-and-how-will-it-help-prevent-spread-of-covid-19-11956941

Herd immunity will work regardless of whether the immune response was first generated via a vaccine or via the disease itself.

Where's the evidence for that? Why are the WHO not convinced of that?

If UK parliament said 'just jump off this cliff here' Arlene and her DUP cronies would be off it in the blink of an eye. They don't give a shit about public health. It's more points scoring bollox. Sinn Fein and/or the Republic say white; DUP say black.

They'll be hanging their hands in shame.

it's worrying to place all trust in the UK government
Fortunately I am not putting my trust in the government. I am placing my trust in the best clinicians and scientists in the UK.

they are not reporting or testing all cases
No country in the world is, we are all just trying to do the best we can.

reporting incorrect figures to as to ensure their figures stand whichever way suits their argument
I imagine you got that gem from the flat earth society.

Agree to disagree, the UK, including N.I. has a good science based plan.

Not according to the WHO or the vast majority of experts. Why isn't the govt publishing the data that led to their conclusions? Apparently it's coming 'in a few weeks' when the situation will have moved on drastically. That is woefully inadequate in a situation where speed is of the essence.

I saw a comedian describe the attitude in the UK treating it like an episode of Netflix, your Italian friend is a few episodes ahead, you know there is a disaster coming, you see the previews but you won't believe it till you see it in your town.
I am very worried for my relatives who live in Ireland and have become pawns in Varadkars head in the sand approach I think restricting hospital visits, closing schools, pubs, restaurants, my job, is not doing nothing, I'm not sure it is the right approach as I'll have no wages but if it saves the vulnerable getting it, confining the spread at a rate the health service can deal with then it is worth it.
I hope in 2 weeks there are not catastrophic loses in the UK.