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.

Yes, it was that family. Was wondering if it was the case of where they were treated or tested more that their actual location.

Not a true reflection of areas infection is it. There's 19 test centres now isnt there.

No, I'm hoping from this week we'll get a truer reflection of where the cases are.
Not sure on the number of testing centres. My BIL was referred for testing on Wednesday and was told someone would call out to his house on Wednesday to complete the test.

I'm in a Co Antrim village near Buckeejit

I'm pretty sure I have Covid. Spoke to the GP yesterday and he thinks I have it. I work in Belfast but I've been staying home since Tuesday (St Pat's Day). My work organisation is big but we know that at least one staff member has tested positive, and me two other colleagues are now showing very similar symptoms.

The symptoms are - tightness of chest, laboured breathing/shortness of breath, headache, sore/burning eyes, some nasal congestion, occasionally shivery (in my case), fever (in my colleagues'), aches or fatigue. It started with a cold and tickly cough last week, which I believe was the 'first stage'. Not everyone gets the 'second stage' which I now have, which is when it attacks the lungs.

I have asthma but this is definitely NOT an asthmatic episode as I am not wheezing and the blue inhaler does nothing. The doctor explained this. I'm taking the brown inhaler morning and evening anyway. Note - my asthma is mild and it's been three years since I used inhalers.

Sorry to hear that KayakingOnDown
I hope you recover quickly.

I still don't get why the UK response is so different to Ireland. More laid back. Here in Dublin you can see the effect - social distancing, pubs and cafes closed.
In the UK pubs are still open as are cafes - is that correct ?

Ah thanks for sharing those symptoms kayaking, take care of yourself and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Take care @KayakingOnDown. I live in a small town, 15mins drive away is our big shopping town. Everything there is shut down.
Here you cant just walk into the pharmacy. You ring in your order, they ring when it's ready, you go to the door, they hand it out and you hand over you payment. Little things I took for granted are now impossible to do. I cant meet my friends for coffee. I cant see my adult son or my brothers.
My sister lives in Dub she's home at the moment as she's W.F.H. if she goes back to Dublin sh cant come home again for God knows how long. Things we did without thinking before now need a lot of weighing up pros and cons.

Hope you are ok @KayakingOnDown

Arlene Foster says we need to embrace the spirit of Northern Ireland to fight the virus.

I'm hoping she doesn't mean 'blame anyone whose political views don't match your own, and refuse to cooperate' because I can't see that getting us very far.

Indeed isabelle! She didn’t happen to elaborate on what the spirit of NI was, did she? Currently it seems to mean carry on doing whatever you please.

@isabellerossignol oh that made me laugh!!

I need a laugh - went for a run in our park, early (8.15) to give me strength to cope with home schooling my boys (DD is almost 16 and does her own but I supervise the boys).

I thought I was going to explode - loads of people out and no one moved away when I came near so I ended up nearly in the ditch while they all sauntered in the middle of the path!!!! There was even a notice at every park entrance telling people how far away to keep from people - but since every dog owner already ignores the signs for "dogs must be kept on a lead at all times" I suppose I should not be surprised that no one took any heed of that notice.

I am just really upset that people are taking this so lightly, DH has had to shut his business so we have no income - because we are responsible, but then you see all these people flouting the rules and you wonder why you are taking a huge economic hit while people are being so careless.

And don't get me started on the really, really elderly all out walking in the park - we are doing all this so we do not end up like Italy, but people seem to be ignoring it all.

And before you all wonder, all of the people where I live have huge gardens so they could get fresh air in those - my DC have not been out of the front door all week, I've kept them in the garden and house to protect our vulnerable neighbours, I just wish the vulnerable neighbours would do the same.

Anyway, sorry all. I needed a rant. Hoping to stay positive for the rest of the day (school starts for DC at 11!!!!).

Kayaking, I hope you are on the mend very soon

I just ventured to the shops, first time since Monday, I was really relieved, everyone seems to be taking it really seriously. Regulated queues outside, hand sanitizer, marks on floors to keep distancing.,

Everything in our usually busy village is closed except food shops and chemist, it was eerily quiet and you could feel the tension.

I'm still absolutely baffled by the U.K. attitude, for gods sake just shut everything down, it's like watching a freight train approaching at speed while everyone is hanging out chatting on the tracks.

Annasgirl are you in UK, Ireland or Northern Ireland ?

I'd like to be able to say things are amazing in the republic, but we went out with ddog earlier. The florist is open, mother's day... Various teenagers are wandering, they need to be curfewed to be honest. And an ancient looking woman with a 'walker' and an elderly relative was hobbling down the main street.
We need some sort of complete closure, although feeding my dh from my food supply and listening to his moaning will be unpleasant.

@kayakingondown so sorry to hear this. Thank you for sharing. I hope you get better soon xxx

Thank you all for your kind wishes.

All I can say is - my chest feels very odd. But I don't seem to be in any immediate danger thank God.

Hang on in there Kayak, rest as much as you can.

Kayak I hope you recover soon x
About 100 teens have congregated at a county park near me for the second day running

Ring the police Coco. I honestly would.

Bonkers. I suppose all their parents are working and have no idea their kids are out. And some won’t care. I would phone the police too. 100 kids unsupervised on a sunny day is a recipe for disaster.

Few people around Drogheda with masks, still plenty of people sat in cafe Nero having a sit down coffee though.
We need a lock down to save us from the idiots.

On the news this morning it said kids can play outside provided they are not close together. There are conflicting messages unfortunately.

You cant tell children to stay 6 feet, or whatever it is now, apart. Best for them not to mix at all. Sad so it is for them. I feel so sorry for them.
I work in Childcare and I got little emotional thinking I more than likely wont get some of them again.

RTE are starting to broadcast primary school classes from the 30th of March. Clearly we are not going to open again before the summer.

Also I'm still waiting for my payment to be processed. Luckily I got a little bit of my wages today so I wont starve.

Is it crawfordsburn @Cocolapew? A friend has posted something on FB about a large group of kids there.

Waves @kayaking Hope you're in the mend soon. There is a thread on here about burning lungs where suspected victims discuss symptoms & there is some (anecdotal) advice about managing - drink lots more warm things is all I can remember right now.

Also if you have a spacer for your inhaler that helps or you can make one from an old bottle

I'm starting to get less anxious about catching it strangely but also can't get visions of crowded ICU out of my head.

I would like to take dc to the beach tomorrow morning as we haven't actually been out for ages but so worried that everyone will have the same idea.