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.

That was a huge jump in number yesterday wasn't it! I read in the guardian that the government hope the school closures etc will lead to 200 people per week over 5 weeks getting covid-19 rather than 500 per week over two weeks, so flattening the curve as it were. Let's hope it works because the HSE is on it's knees most of the time anyway.

I’m very tempted to start keeping mine off too, buckeejit.

Just found this thread !
I’m so relieved the schools are closed though the kids driving me mad already will be going to find an empty field later for a run around !
I hope people will keep their children away from other children , already on the parent WhatsApp group there is talk of planning some at home play dates. Ridiculous.

I honestly don't think some people understand how important social distancing is. This is what will help keep our hospitals under less pressure. Yes the same amount of people will probably get the virus, but if we can stop them all getting it at the same time the health care system may be able to cope.

I'm not a fan generally but glad Leo Varadker is Taoiseach at the moment as he is a medical doctor so can understand the implications better than a non medic, and his partner is a front line medic.

Honestly I don't really understand social distancing & how drastic it should be. The post from someone isolating in wuhan had them meeting friends for dinner at their houses.

I would have thought keeping to a few close families might be ok. That's my next thing to research on. 2 neighbouring families dc are at school with mine. I've called a mothers meeting later this avo & told them I want to talk about CV. They may think I'm bonkers even though one of the parents is a paramedic.

I think I'm coming to the conclusion that if I allow dc to go to school, I can't I'm good conscience visit my parents in their 70s. I'm desperate for them to stay at home but they are very social & involved in the church.

I'm quite impressed with how well a lot of things are being organised. People had obviously thought things through before the announcement. For instance the local Catholic church is doing live video link mass only, there is a tv channel to pick it up on. The kids are still being given work and having to send it back to their teachers, some of my DC's friends' schools are having conference style teaching and those pupils have to present in front of their computer screens for roll call at normal school start time.

It's already very tough for small businesses though. I have a personal trainer and I went to him today and he said that he had 10 people booked in for today and 7 of them had cancelled. Same for next week. Many of the local restaurants and cafes have halved their tables to give more space between them, and a lot are offering delivery to home or delivery to car when they wouldn't have done take away before.

Smaller local shops are being absolute troopers, offering phone ordering and delivery to the door, particularly for elderly customers.

I will say I have seen huge amounts of community spirit online, as pp said from smaller businesses and just people in general. Loads of places offering free delivery for people who have decided to self isolate ( elderly or vulnerable) which echos what Leo and Simon Covney said yesterday about how as a society we need to protect the vulnerable.

I have 2 primary aged kids so have been told there is no issue with me wfh. Went to local shops this morning for a few bits and it was fairly normal. Low stock of fresh meats but still some choice. I didn't really need too much just picking up snacks for the kids now they are off and topping up my coke zero supply. Kids have lots of work home from school and playstation has been banned already after a fisticuff. Its alarming how different our response is to UK. Wonder if its reflective of the political environment. We have a caretaker government desperately trying to raise public perception and belief in them so they are moving swiftly whereas UK have a Tory government, Brexit and a bigger need to keep the economy going.

My anxiety levels have really dropped today, despite the dc being home 😂DH’s business has taken some strong measures now to limit unnecessary contact so I feel he’s safer too, and my elderly relatives are feeling more reassured about staying in.
The school sent out some clear guidance on social distancing, not organising play dates etc. It feels very well organised.
I’m very hopeful that we might be able to slow this down.

Yes its very uplifting to see the community pulling together, makes me feel very proud tbh. The mums on my road have made an agreement that our dc can play outside, ride their bikes etc but no going into each others houses. We have explained about keeping their distance and that kind of thing. I have seen a few phone numbers online for older/vulnerable people to call if they need assistance but presumably most of them don't have the internet so i am going to print them out and drop them in to every house on the road. I am also going to offer to do a bit of shopping, collect prescriptions stuff like that for anyone who needs it. I would urge anyone who can to please check on elderly neighbours and make sure they are ok.

I'm in NI and work in a Special School. Some SS Principals have told Stormont they are concerned about the measures being taken. I can see us closing eventually, some of our children are very vunerable.

Saw another thread about Spanish people going on holiday now the schools have closed, has anyone in Ireland heard of anyone doing this since the announcement yesterday. Everyone I know seems to be taking this very seriously, bad have implemented a structure to their day ( school work 10-1 etc).

20 new cases today.

Don't know what science Arlene is on about but I'd think school will be closed by this time next week.

Just spoken to my parents who have finally taken it seriously, (apart from having to attend the massive funeral & popping to Centra as butter was on offer 🙄)

Put on the Late Late v good dr explaining how to self isolate etc

Caught the late late by mistake (don't usually watch it) and thought it was very well done.

Have to admit I have some confidence in Leo & Simon Coveney, they look shattered & I believe they are doing what they can given the uncertainty of everything.
Hoping & praying we don't reach Italy's level. Also thought the late late was very well done, keep thinking about Ryan saying we're a bit luckier we're on an island....

@Deadringer
I am sure it is really difficult with children who want to get out and are used to playing out, but now please please take the guidance of the medical experts on RTE today. They shouldn’t be having contact at all, the advice is to stay in with your family to delay the spread. It defeats the purpose of closing schools if the children are socialising together.

Dr McConkey of the RCSI said the virus still can be stopped in Ireland at this point, but only with 90% compliance of the population in social distancing. Children can be asymptomatic carriers of this virus , so please reconsider and keep them in for the moment.

Stay safe and keep prepared.

Morning all,

The last few days have been intense! I veer between being hopeful that the right actions are being put in place to slow this down and despair when I hear/read people saying that it's ridiculous and they won't be keeping their kids in 🤦‍♀️

I have faith in Simon Coveney. And I'm glad to see doctors coming out and reiterating the advice. I feel for the nurses, doctors and hospital staff , I'd imagine they are really feeling the weight of what's to come.

The schools in NI will close it's just a matter of when. I personally think they'll be closed by the end of next week.

It's depressing to see the amount of people thinking it's an extended holiday with lots of parents organising play dates and sleep overs and teachers who are off work but want to continue sending their children to their childminders.

@hopeishere I agree. I think by the end of this we will have school closures in NI.
I just hope everyone will take the advice seriously. I wonder what the pubs were like in Belfast and Dublin last night.

I have a horrid cold, no fever and no cough. But have a sore throat and Just feel dosed. I haven’t been through the door since Tuesday and am sleeping in the spare room.

Do you trust everyone to do the right thing though? I really want to believe yes but I’m not so sure. Some people are v v v selfish.

*End of the week

Lots of little gangs of boys (thugs) between the ages of 9 & 13 out on our road last night on bikes doing wheelies & knock & runs until 11pm, generally running riot. Parents nowhere to be seen, the kids weren't from our estate... Guards called but obviously at the moment they have more pressing matters... These are exactly the little fuckers who will be spreading the virus, how could their parents let them out & so late too...