Coronavirus ROI/NI number 4

[eggandonion]

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

@AurorayRuben to be honest I'd say Easter is more realistic. We are heading for a spike in January and an inevitable lockdown so I don't think rules will have changed much by mid February

I went into town (Dublin) for the first time since August yesterday. It was lovely to be out, but strange. Shops were all relatively empty except for Brown Thomas, they let in too many people, you just couldn't social distance, esp on the ground floor. I would be happier to queue to get in and not feel squashed inside. I have heard that Henry St is much busier so no trip to Arnotts. Lots of sales on in the bigger shops.

What was strange was how quiet and empty the streets were. On a Friday afternoon in December the streets would usually be thronged, crowds outside pubs, buskers, carol singers on Grafton St. It was a bit sad and depressing, despite the pretty decorations, more like a Wednesday in January.

If you're thinking of going in, I'm very risk averse but I'd be happy to go back on a weekday. I'd feel much more relaxed in town than in a big shopping centre like Dundrum, wild horses wouldn't drag me there this year.

Cork was similar earlier in the week except for the cafe I would have liked to go into. I think a lot of people are staying local just now if possible.
A lady doctor on the radio said we should major Easter the new Christmas this year.
Poor lady doctor, we know all the major male experts by name. The lady doctors haven't become celebrities. I'm sure they should be on media just as much

I went into Cork City early this morning for a quick trip. I enjoyed it. It wasn't too busy and I enjoyed the atmosphere. I avoided Penney's though the queue was moving quickly enough. The English Market had a small queue for one of the shops I went to, but nothing major. Saying that, I don't think I'll go in again before Christmas.

Someone told me the Christmas market at the marina is great but busy. I don't want to go somewhere busy. I do...but I dont.

Yes, I know someone who has a stall there. It sounds nice alright but I wouldn't consider it essential for this year.

It's a tricky one, isn't it? Torn between wanting to get out and support local businesses but wanting to limit your movements as much as possible. I've been to a few shops (mainly Christmas stuff) but takeaway only from cafes and restaurants.

Yes, I think we should wait until Easter to go to Ireland.
My only worry is that my Dad may die before then. He's not ill, just old and feeble.
Thank you all for the advice.

It's very on tough on you, AurorayReuben.

I understand. Dh has various elderly relatives at the far end of Ireland from where we live, we saw some in the summer in a socially distant way. Air or sea travel is a different ball game.
Once residential home staff and residents are vaccinated, it will be a good start.

@AurorayRuben I feel for you, it's a difficult decision to have to make and I hope you find strength in the coming days and weeks.

You are very kind but, if I am honest I am relieved not to have to travel especially over the Christmas period.
Two of my children are still young and we have a lot going on over here.
I always popped over to see my Dad before Christmas and I miss him but not the hassle and expence!!

Is anyone else taking dc out of school early? I’m going to let mine have holidays on Friday rather than waiting for Tuesday. They’re a bit annoyed at me because the Tuesday is traditionally a party day in school.

Hi thelegohooverer, I would like to do that, but I suspect they will want to stay in until Tuesday for the fun and games!

4 of our 5 schools are closing Friday, we got word yesterday. I was going to take them out Friday anyway so am glad about that.

I was checking with the gp about the vaccination for dh and dd as they're shielding since March but they can't have it ☹️ dh is immuncompromised (sp) and dd is under 16. So they've to remain shielding until it has been rolled out to everyone 😮 WTF I thought this was the whole idea of the vaccine, that those who are vulnerable and need to get back out into society get this, but it seems to be only for healthy over 16 year olds, front line and healthy elderly that can get it and the rest of the population who have underlying conditions will then be depending on others to get it to protect them, but by the time people decide whether they are going to get it, as alot of healthy people don't feel scared or at all concerned about covid, will they get it? , it's going to be well into 2021 before my 2 can go back out. I really had my hopes up, we're struggling without dhs wages, dd needs to get back to school. Why wasn't any of the vaccines tested on children?

Why wasn't any of the vaccines tested on children?

Because the priority was to stop deaths (primarily occurring in adults) and presumably medical testing on children is an ethical and legal nightmare.

They will be giving the vaccine to those who can have it, in order of those who are most vulnerable. I don’t see how they can do anything else really.

I am interested in the speed of rollout. I’m not too sanguine based on what they’ve said so far. Looks like the UK is far more on top of it than us. Though that is good news for my elderly parents in the north.

@TheKeatingFive

Why wasn't any of the vaccines tested on children?

Because the priority was to stop deaths (primarily occurring in adults) and presumably medical testing on children is an ethical and legal nightmare.

They will be giving the vaccine to those who can have it, in order of those who are most vulnerable. I don’t see how they can do anything else really.

I am interested in the speed of rollout. I’m not too sanguine based on what they’ve said so far. Looks like the UK is far more on top of it than us. Though that is good news for my elderly parents in the north.

Yes, they're giving it to healthy people first so that they protect the vulnerable, my concern is healthy people won't want to get it as many are still living their lives pre covid. Many have voiced their opinions saying why should they get the vaccine if they know they'll survive covid and it'll just be like a bit of flu.

According to my gp it'll be at least summer 2021 before the vulnerable are even considered, and not to pin my hopes on this date as there is no studies done where people with health issues were trialled. I suppose they are still learning.

I just thought that the children with serious health conditions would have been included on this vaccine as they're the ones who can and have died from covid.

Theres so many details.. it's only when I read these posts re the shielders that I realise how long this roll out is actually going to take...
It's hard, no doubt about it, this will take a lot of time..
I also read that pregnant women or those considering becoming pregnant are advised not to get the vaccine.

Some good news about the vacancies for Ireland, the EMC are meeting on the 21st of December(it wasn't going to be till the 29th) to give the go ahead for the Vac. The Irish government has said that they will roll out the vacancies to the most vulnerable 7 days after the EMC approval.
However Martins pitiful comments about Ireland only having a limited number of Vacancies available to Ireland, sums up his appalling out of touch Government.

What do people think about the NI lockdown? If it doesn’t start for a another 11 days how are hospitals going to cope? It looks as if they’re finally going to close schools except maybe to exam years. Not sure how closing supermarkets at 8 pm is supposed to help. Won’t it just make them more crowded?

@thelegohooverer

Is anyone else taking dc out of school early? I’m going to let mine have holidays on Friday rather than waiting for Tuesday. They’re a bit annoyed at me because the Tuesday is traditionally a party day in school.

Primary teacher here. Anecdotal I know but most teacher friends of mine are saying that a lot of parents have notified them that their kids won't be in next week.

Personally I'd take the kids out without an ounce of guilt. They won't do a tap of work next week.

@halcyondays

What do people think about the NI lockdown? If it doesn’t start for a another 11 days how are hospitals going to cope? It looks as if they’re finally going to close schools except maybe to exam years. Not sure how closing supermarkets at 8 pm is supposed to help. Won’t it just make them more crowded?

Feels like about 6 weeks too late! At least it sounds like it'll be done properly this time. Last lockdown, so many shops were open, it was ridiculous. I'm feeling very anxious and teary today, feels like March all over again. At least the vaccinations have started, which is something.

@halcyondays waiting to hear the official guidelines on the new lockdown.. Hoping we hear tonight
Also can't see how closing supermarkets at 8 will help but glad garden centres are finally going to be put on non essential list if bbc is correct

I wonder what will happen with schools, in particular P7s. Surely, they have to cancel the transfer tests now?!?

Peter weir will likely declare school children and teachers immune and refuse to agree to their closures

Probably