Coronavirus in Ireland/N Ireland

[beanaseireann]

The first case of Coronavirus has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
A passenger travelled from Italy to the North via Dublin.
I don't know how we will cope in the Republic if we have large numbers ill with the virus as our health service is already at breaking point.

I have to say everyone seems to be on board with what we are being asked to do, very little dissent irl or on social media, apart from a little moaning. With everyone being so compliant, will lockdown be necessary?

Simon Harris was on Clare Byrne last night ad tweeting from work today.

I've just realised that all my June concerts might be cancelled too. Least of my worries I know but still, would've been nice to have something to look forward to.

Simon Harris has been on tv a lot and he looks exhausted.

It felt very honest to be. I'm so cynical usually and generally don't believe politicians, but I think the fact he say this will be expensive, it'll effect finances for years made it transparent- no spoofing. Won't lie that the "this is the calm before the storm, before the surge" gave me a pain in the chest.

Yes I think under very challenging circumstances Leo and do are doing a pretty good job. Yeah Leo's speech made me catch my breath. I feel so helpless.

Yes @Goodiewhemper helpless is a good way to sum it up - like our lives are in other peoples hands

Leo is an excellent speaker. You could listen to him all night. I thought he would lock down too, I think the whole country was waiting for him to say this.

I see other countries are putting things in place for the likes of utilities and mortgages and rent, what happens here if someone loses their job and can't pay rent / mortgage ?

TO correct my earlier post, I had a look to see Simon Harris' twitter, and yes, he has been very busy. I hadn't seen him say much at the press conferences I watched but that's not to say that he isn't working night and day.
Fair play to all of them- and their families who cant see much of them at the moment.

Lipz there's information on payments from Dept of Social Protection here www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/4cf0e2-covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-employers-and-employees-test/

@Lipz they are speaking to the 5 main banks today around mortgages and loans

Can someone enlighten me please ?
DH was watching BBC News or Question Time and he says that some expert on the show said that you must wash grocery packaging with soap and water when you come in from the supermarket as the virus can live on the packaging if an infected person coughed on it or touched it after coughing/ sneezing and touched their face.

Did he hear that correctly ?
Are you all washing the packaging ?

LadyEloise no I'm not. Never thought of that. I wear gloves in the shops alright and I half thought about wiping them down with a wipe.
Have to pop to the shops today as I'm running out of stuff and I'm not buying enough for delivery. It's the first time I've been scared to go shopping. I wont be hanging around anyway, quick dash in and out, self services tills and home

he says that some expert on the show said that you must wash grocery packaging with soap and water when you come in from the supermarket as the virus can live on the packaging

My understanding is that this is possible, but an unlikely way to spread the virus.

Yes, that was stated on the BBC News Channel in the section where they answer viewers' questions. I don't think they specifically said the stuff about someone having coughed or sneezed on it, but they did say that the virus can live on packaging and therefore we should wash it with soap and water.

I'm not doing that, and I can't imagine many people are. The question was asked by someone shopping for their 90+ year old mother, so maybe it's more important in that scenario.

Medic friends who were first to bed down have been using alcohol wipe for packaging on groceries. Meet delivery driver outside & move from boxes to laundry baskets with marigold gloves on. However you could go to the nth degree - potentially someone has breathed on the inside products. We can only do our best.

I have children making inventory of our stocks onto a spreadsheet & about to put note round the estate to keep people in touch via WhatsApp if they're interested & offer help for the older ones.

I'm finding focus the best thing atm. Ds is going to practice a song on the clarinet to play through the window for granny on Mother's Day. Day by day & bit by bit, trying to keep routines for the children.

Ds asked if we could have assembly today as they have it today in school. I told him his sister could but he was suspended for skipping class!

🥰 At @buckeejit daughter playing music through the window. That's made me well up a fair bit tbh. What a lovely thing.

Leo was great, I wish he governed the North as well. Not the bumbling incompetent fool we seem to have. The 15000 figure was shocking. He stood very strong and I really believe his approach and convictions.

Thank you ArlenesWoodBurningStove, Dh is obsessed but not very helpful in a practical way as he has some health issues.
He is a creature of doom at the moment.
Thank you too to the other posters for their replies.

That's so nice about your DD and her clarinet, buckeejit. DD is 9 and is starting to feel wobbly about her grandparents, she's only just put two and two together and realised 'the over 70s' includes them.

I just submitted my claim for universal credit today. You have to go to an appointment and bring proof of address, bank details and tenancy agreement before they can process your claim. Fine- except they’re not doing face to face appointments now due to corona virus so it will be a telephone appointment (not sure how I show them my documents on the phone!) BUT they have no telephone appointments until the 1st of June. I have zero income.

I have some beeswax and oils here so going to make my mum & nana a jar of hand lotion each for mother’s day & leave on their doorsteps.

Juan, are you self-employed or an employee? Is it all UC now in NI, or can you get housing benefit for your rent?

My parents are in Galway, they just heard on GBFM about certain pubs round the county with the blinds down and the back door open.
A woman with cancer rang in to say her husband and his friend are going in to one of them.
What despicable arseholes.
All I can say is, we will not forget. This wont last forever, those greasy tenners and twenties that were gathered in will be well gone, before Irish people forget the new generation of gombeen men.

Self employed. We’re all UC here now.

Ah that's lovely of your DS @buckeejit. Also giggled about the suspension bit.
It's crazy opening pubs in secret. I know it's hard times but for God sake health and safety is important too. I saw a pub in Temple bar remained open too, Molly Malone's I think.