Coronavirus ROI/NI number 4

[eggandonion]

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

I can't see how a rushed vaccine will be as effective as one that takes the correct "normal" amount of time

I think the numbers will be down because of the lack of testers in the labs this weekend. And the breakdown in the test & trace process.

I don't think I'll look at the case numbers anymore, surely it's the death numbers and those in hospital & ICU that are the real indicators?

Agree about the death rates and the hospital capacity. That's what this current Level 5 is all about coming into the Winter for sure.

It is a conundrum though, because asymptomatics are spreading it to those who may end up in hospital and may sadly die.

I doubt anyone knows what the best way forward is now.

I listened to an interesting podcast about vaccines. Normally it takes years to develop one, but most of that time is spent on paperwork, applying for licensing, funding, procurement, etc.

In this case, the clinical elements have not been rushed, they have followed the same protocols as with any other vaccine. It's the bureaucratic part that's been expedited allowing it to be completed in such a short time.

The scientists being interviewed were adamant that the safety hasn't been compromised, the vaccine trials are been led by highly accomplished scientists who wouldn't want to ruin their reputations by being involved with a flawed vaccine.

I'm normally quite risk averse but I'll be at the top of the queue for the vaccine if it means we can have some normality back.

@anomletteandaglassofwine I'm with you at the top of the queue for the vaccine. The science isn't being rushed. Normally for vaccines there is no pressure so there is tons of beaurocracy for every study, often taking months to get approval and of course if you try one thing and it doesn't work you go back to the start to try again. Now there are tons of people working on lots of different possibilities and the paperwork is being prioritised. So basically the same amount of work, just spread over more researcers at the same time, rather than one after the other. It's like a maths problem: if it takes 2 bricklayers 4 hours to build a wall 1 meter high, how long would it take 20 bricklayers.

I wonder can anyone help me. I'm SURE I read some advice online last week along the lines of:

More and more people will be contacted by T&T or StopCovid app.
So get ready to be asked to self isolate.
Make sure you have enough of your usual medication onhand
Have a plan for vulnerable people in your househhold
have some food necessities in your store cupboard, but without panic buying.

And for the life me I cannot now find this! Anyone recognise it?

Thank you.

I read this article last week about the limitations of the vaccines and I think we’re still a long way off from what laypeople like me think of when we talk about a vaccine.

I also think that there will be some sort of grand announcement in the next few days to boost Trump before the elections but I’m not hopeful it will translate into anything meaningful, at least not in the short term.

I’m mentally preparing for a very bleak January. I think things will pick up late Spring for a while but I think next winter may be a bit hairy as people will be putting a lot of faith in vaccines that may not be as good as we hope. Treatment outcomes will probably keep getting better though. I’m more interested in that side of things than in the vaccines.

Sorry to be all doom and gloom. I find it easier to be ready for the worst and pleasantly surprised than the other way round.

We just have to jog along now. It is a bit of a roller coaster, but it is what it is.

Can't see vaccines making much of an impact immediately, but will hopefully protect the HCWs and the elderly to some extent from the worst ravages, that combined with better treatments will help so much I hope!

We need to gird our loins for a bit of lockdown, and opening up for a while yet. Better to be prepared for that scenario, rather than thinking all will be back to normal very soon.

Even if the is a vaccine, I still can't see big concerts of 80,000 people going ahead next summer. I honestly don't think I'll be comfortable in a large crowd again for a while now we've been programmed to avoid them.

I see NPHET are now casting doubt on the possibility of people travelling home for Christmas. This makes me so sad. DH & I lived abroad for years and wouldn't even have contemplated not going "home" for Christmas. I pity all those who are stuck in limbo now, not knowing what to do. For most I'm sure it would be the first and only trip home this year. Crap

That's a real nasty blow for many families.

How enforceable is it though? Unless any measures apply to NI too?

The dd of a friend lives in England and has booked flight back to Belfast for Christmas. I don't know if that is sensible.

I'm in the process of moving back to Ireland from the UK (relationship broke down, and I don't have a job at the moment). I'll be staying with my dad rurally for a few months before moving back to Dublin, and am timing my move for the end of November so that I can self-isolate for 2 weeks and still be able to do Christmas prep, even if it's just the two of us. I haven't seen him since last Christmas, so I am not taking any chances of leaving things closer to Christmas.

I think if flights are running people will use them. Dhs family have their flights all booked for Christmas from UK. Tbh they've flown in a few times since March and broke every rule possible 😡 They are saying it themselves that the only thing that will stop them is the flights being cancelled, I think alot will do this.

I spent a Christmas alone in England in my twenties, it was miserable. So I would have a lot of sympathy for people wanting to come home - my dd2 came home during an Erasmus year for Christmas.
Logically... probably not a great idea.

Honestly NPHET can get fucked. Didn't stop flights in March at the height of the pandemic, did they? Or at least bring in airport testing.

I think people will ignore their advice on Christmas travel unless it becomes mandatory - and even then, many will do what they want.

My mother is really looking forward to my brother coming home from England for Christmas, as I am. He didn't travel during the summer. He is planning to quarantine in separate accommodation first. It's the only thing keeping us going at the moment. He lives on his own.

I don’t think there is an issue with people who plan to quarantine before seeing their families but I would hate to put an elderly relative at risk.

Agreed.

What !! I mean the traveller risk was there when other countries were way worse than us - think we are all on a level playing field now . We are being micro managed now by media loving celebrity wannabe holohan. Covid is everywhere . It's the same risk as going to the shops now as having a visitor from abroad. I mean honestly the stress nphet is causing on families is unreal.our airports will NEVER recover. We need rural airports for business and tourism as we are an outpost in europe as it is. I'm fuming with god Tony - our unelected leader fgs.he wont lose his job/ pension.
I was so annoyed at another stint on the late late- give us a break / some entertainment

Where is Mehole? Tony’s clearly calling all the shots now htf did that happen?

Admittedly Leo is still running his mouth when given the opportunity.

I feel very sad about the regional airports. I live in the UK and travel back regularly in normal times. Ryanair and Aer lingus have been warning the government about this for months.

A lot of countries have a much higher incidence rate than Ireland at the moment.
People going on holidays during the summer is now being seen as a big factor in the resurgence of Covid around Europe.

I feel so sorry for the principals and vice principals of our schools this week. They had no proper summer break and this week was meant to be their chance to recuperate before another difficult term. But they've been forced to go back and sort out the mess re sanitisers and wipes..
Many must be facing burnout.
Listening to the agriculture minister this evening on drive time he wouldn't accept any blame or hold anyone accountable for not checking the supplies met the correct standards. It's just one thing after another..