Rep of Ireland goes into lockdown for six weeks

[Asterion]

Wow. I'm quite surprised. Rep of Ireland is a relatively small country, with easily managed borders.

Full lockdown! For six weeks!

Why are you surprised?

Because it's such a small country.

And I guess "easily managed borders" was the wrong descriptor, however NI isn't at the Full Lockdown stage yet.

So I really sympathise for all those for whom this will be very difficult and my heart goes out to them. But I also think "lucky them" for having a government that is at least competent to make a decision and puts heath first.

I’m not sure what the size of the country has to do with it. People are travelling within the country day and daily. Also, ROI aren’t in full lockdown. They’re in level 5. Schools are still open. In NI schools are closed.

@herecomesthsun

So I really sympathise for all those for whom this will be very difficult and my heart goes out to them. But I also think "lucky them" for having a government that is at least competent to make a decision and puts heath first.

I agree - they're very lucky to end up with a totally destroyed economy, no jobs, mass employment and poverty. Deaths from covid are a tragedy. Deaths from everything else - delayed diagnoses, poverty, mental health issues, sheer despair - simply don't count at all.

@herecomesthsun

So I really sympathise for all those for whom this will be very difficult and my heart goes out to them. But I also think "lucky them" for having a government that is at least competent to make a decision and puts heath first.

Agree with this. I wish Arlene and Michelle had half the gumption MM and co have. NIs handling of this pandemic has been pathetic. Afraid to fart before checking if England are going to as well.

It's competitive lockdown week in the UK. Scotland, Wales and Ireland have played their hand but Boris will now trump them all by announcing we are going into lockdown until the end of 2020

Well there we have it. Just in the first few replies here, some saying "Well done RoI, wish the UK was like this!" and some saying "Thank god the UK isn't doing this!".

No government can win.

It’s a shambles, Level 5 but our schools are still open!
The coalition Govt can’t make up their minds and people have lost faith in Fianna Fáil and other parties after Golfgate earlier in the summer when they held a golf day and dinner after for approx 80 people.
They also managed to give themselves a 2% pay rise, part of previously agreed public sector pay rises.

No government can win.

I think New Zealand might disagree with you

Anyone paying any attention at all to UK rates will have fully expected ROI lockdown.

@Smallsteps88

No government can win.

I think New Zealand might disagree with you

Not if they have a business that relies on foreign tourism.

What has the border and country size got to do with anything? Lockdown is about freedom of movement within an area/country to prevent the spread and lighten the load on health services.

Not if they have a business that relies on foreign tourism.

New Zealand has many businesses that rely on foreign tourism.

@toxtethOgradyUSA

It's competitive lockdown week in the UK. Scotland, Wales and Ireland have played their hand but Boris will now trump them all by announcing we are going into lockdown until the end of 2020

I keep imagining it as an old time TV game show, with Boris as host instead of Brucie.

@Mrsjayy

What has the border and country size got to do with anything? Lockdown is about freedom of movement within an area/country to prevent the spread and lighten the load on health services.

Fewer people = less risk, I would have thought.

@Smallsteps88

Not if they have a business that relies on foreign tourism.

New Zealand has many businesses that rely on foreign tourism.

Well, yes

And now there is no foreign tourism in NZ.

with the electorate as the audience shouting “higher” “lower” before Boris reveals the latest covid cases rate.

And now there is no foreign tourism in NZ.

And still their government have just been re-elected. They literally just won.

I keep imagining it as an old time TV game show, with Boris as host instead of Brucie.

May I just say that I find the comparison highly offensive to the late, great Bruce Forsyth.....

@Smallsteps88

And now there is no foreign tourism in NZ.

And still their government have just been re-elected. They literally just won.

This is true! Perhaps we should just shut our borders as well. I wonder if people would approve of that?

Perhaps we should just shut our borders as well. I wonder if people would approve of that?

They should have shut them in January. I said it then and I’m still saying it.

@herecomesthsun

So I really sympathise for all those for whom this will be very difficult and my heart goes out to them. But I also think "lucky them" for having a government that is at least competent to make a decision and puts heath first.

Its funny how the same sentiment the other way around isn't acceptable! If someone said I fully sympathise with those vulnerable in this difficult times but "lucky them" for having a government who put economy and livelihoods first, would be hunted down hung drawn and quartered!

Fewer people less risk doesn't make sense surely it is to do with the population and ratio.?

@Mrsjayy

Fewer people less risk doesn't make sense surely it is to do with the population and ratio.?

Ratio of what? Ireland is tiny compared to England, in terms of population.