Coronavirus ROI/NI number 4

[eggandonion]

I don't believe it, would it ever go away!

Well it doesn't take a genius to see how it'll play out.

After six weeks of restrictions, everyone will be chomping at the bit to get stuff opened up. We'll all be let off the leash, wanting to meet up with people, prepare for Christmas. There's no fucking way people won't see their family over Christmas, no matter what county they're in.

January, bam, we're exactly where we started and NPHET will be bleating for another lockdown - mass closures and unemployment for a third time.

It's the very definition of stupidity. We should be putting everything we have into improving HSE capacity, improving track and trace and figuring out what measures are sustainable for us as a country in the medium term.

This is why I'd like more detail on the death figures quoted daily. If someone dies 'with' or 'from' covid, that makes a difference in my opinion. And it's no disrespect to the families of those who have died, but I do think it's important to have some perspective on the numbers being thrown at us on a daily basis.

Absolutely. I notice they’ve gone very silent on the average age of those dying too.

There was a very cogent article on Track and Trace in the IT this morning. It said that Track and Trace only works where the spread is very low - there is no point to track and trace when you have 1000 cases per day. I get the sense to this - however, if we had track and trace properly set up and funded in July and August maybe we would not be in this situation now - although I really think this second wave was going to happen no matter what we did (unless we had a zero covid policy like NZ - which people who matter keep telling me is impossible because blah blah)

Yes I think that’s true. It has to work fast if it’s going to work at all.

However there’s a great article doing the rounds that suggests we’re doing it all wrong anyway. The Asian countries that are nailing this are focusing on ‘backwards’ rather than ‘forwards’ tracing.

however, if we had track and trace properly set up and funded in July and August maybe we would not be in this situation now

Exactly. That better be the focus now. But colour me surprised when December rolls up and they have made the sum total of fuck all progress with it.

Ages in October of Covid deaths to date (does not include historical deaths which are reported)

October to date
7 in 75-84 year olds
5 in 85+
2 in 65-74 year olds

How many unemployed with the new restrictions? Covid not even in the top 10 causes of deaths in Ireland and yet here we are. The with/of Covid question never answer and I know why. No transparency.

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/09/k-overlooked-variable-driving-pandemic/616548/

This is it. Long but worth a read.

October to date

Thanks for that. How different is that to regular flu season I wonder? 🙄

So difficult hearing about the nursing home in Galway. Only 1 nurse and 1 nursing assistant coping with approximately 25 patients with Covid19.

Thanks for those stats @Juliusthecat

It was awful to read about that nursing home. This is where I hold the Government responsible. They should have made sure that this could not happen again. Disgraceful

To lighten the mood (before I crack up) I saw this and it made me laugh

That’s great

Brilliant @LifeInAHamsterWheel

Well said @LadyEloise and @Annasgirl.
The vast majority of people have shut up their businesses, wear their masks, work from home, got their shopping in, keep 2metres from each other and aren't midering their GPs.

The vast majority know that the Government aren't doing a perfect job, but, in the circumstances, Michàel, Leo, Simon, Tony, Ronan, Helen (McEntee- always impressive), are doing OK.

Giving airtime to anti-mask, anti-vac extremists is counter-productive.

I am not suggesting that we take a nice-nicey unrealistic view of the world. But balanced journalism surely isn't giving equal airtime to contrarian views?

@LifeInAHamsterWheel So true

The Galway nursing home is horrendous they need staff support desperately.
I read about a 19 y.o today fighting for her life critical with double pneumonia in the Mater hospital she is a young mother too.

Irish Times article which Ican't link to, Prof Devi Sridhar, advisor on public health in Scotland and an actual woman, hopes for big improvements next Spring, in vaccines and treatments. A bit of positivity is nice.

Prof Luke O'Neill is also very optimistic about a vaccine, heard him on the radio the other day, he thinks there'll be an announcement about the first vaccine before Christmas.

At least the weather was good today, it makes such a difference when you get some sun on your daily walk. Very quiet where I live and it had been pretty busy, pre lockdown levels of traffic and activity recently.

There’s a lot of vaccine optimism around it would seem.

I really fucking hope they’re right.

It was a lovely day for a lockdown! If we get a half decent winter and a good enough treatment it would be good, anything would be better than the way things are.

Anyone think the schools won't return after midterm? Our sent home lots of books & their class copybooks today as a precaution incase its remote after their week off

Our school has been telling everyone to be prepared to work from home at any time. I think it's more in case of a full Covid outbreak in the school. But who knows?

Ds school dont use books for learning (except for religion). Yesterday we got an email to say they've bought a set of books & workbooks for everyone for use if the schools have to close again and if we paid yesterday theyd be sent home today. I think they're expecting an extended break.

I think they will go back after half term but I'm really hoping that they will break up early for Christmas. I would feel a lot safer having my Mum over on Christmas day if we'd had a chance to quarantine ourselves first.

They have to have provision for remote working now, incase of closures.

However I can’t see blanket closures. The government has no interest in that and there’d be little support for a strike.

Hopefully they'll be back, my dc are so much happier & are really enjoying their learning....