Coronavirus ROI/NI number 4

[eggandonion]

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

I remember that time, Petronelle. There was no discussion about it. It's infuriating, isn't it.

Well hopefully we will know this evening what Arlene decides. Very unfortunate on all the people who are in England or have family there. Presents bought,arrangements made. Very short notice for people and really not fair

It is really hard for so many people, I know health needs to be protected. But it seems that the optimism from the vaccine announcement has been negated.

Christmas bubbles to be restricted to Christmas Day.

The ban on travel from France to UK and the closure of the Channel ports will impact hugely on our imports and exports, never mind the Irish travel "ban" with UK.

So it took them over 24 hours to agree on restricting bubbles to one day. while it's necessary that is the peril of a mandatory coalition.

So there's going to be a 2 month lockdown after Christmas? Will they close the schools too?

Schools are supposed to stay open, but I guess that could change.

It's incredible that we had 300 odd cases this day last week and now 970. Unless we can really contain it in the next couple of weeks I can't see schools going back as expected.

@anomletteandaglassofwine

It's incredible that we had 300 odd cases this day last week and now 970. Unless we can really contain it in the next couple of weeks I can't see schools going back as expected.

Yes, that's a phenomenal jump. I got a start when I saw it on my phone last night.

But, my DC have been reporting for weeks, that their friends have taken a day off school to travel to Dublin to shop for Christmas (this while we were still on the 'no outside your county' level).
They've also been saying about their friends meeting up- one of my DD was disgusted that I wouldn't let her go to a house birthday party.

I'm sick of it, but that doesn't mean that I am going to 'break the rules'.
I had hoped to spend Christmas Day with my parents, one of whom wont see next Christmas (palliative care team now in).
I've decided it's not worth it.
I might call on the morning, and see them, but there wont be any Christmas lunch there.

During WW2 it was the bravery of the few that saved so many ( W Churchill )

Now it's the selfishness of the few that endangers so many.

Thank goodness the schools have closed at last! We have had at least eight cases in one class last week, but we don’t know for certain, nor do we have any idea which families are affected. What we DO know is that, while all of that class is supposed to be self isolating now (teacher included as he has tested positive) the families were told by the HSE that siblings should go to school. So...we don’t know how many more classes are potentially affected now. Many staff members booked private covid tests, as they don’t want to be unknowingly exposing relatives to risk of infection.

Needless to say, Norma Foley and the DES aren’t exactly flavour of the month in our school at the moment! The atmosphere there for the last two days was weird-like a keg of dynamite ready to explode or something. I’m not looking forward to whatever awaits us in January when we reopen! (Though perhaps the fast forwarded lockdown might help somewhat.)

Oof, Procrastination 4 you must be glad to be on holidays now. There were 3-4 cases in our secondary, but they were contained. No cases in our primary. We were lucky, but it feels like skating on ice. It's very hard to be a principal, teacher or SNA these days.

Wishing ye all a happy, peaceful Christmas.

Thanks for the company these past few months.

Merry Christmas @IsFuzzyBeagMise

I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas despite everything.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh go léir.

Happy Christmas one and all. Hope everyone stays safe and has happiness.

Happy Christmas all.

I say that surrounded by wrapping paper, slightly drunk.

Happy Christmas all- I too am surrounded by happy children and wrapping paper. Have to leave being drunk for later, as hope to drive to see Parents, having decided not to do Christmas dinner there.

Nollaig shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhaoibh go léir.

Happy Christmas everyone. Thinking of people who aren't spending the day with people they want to be with, or in the wrong place.

Happy Christmas! Feeling lucky to have family around me today. Our poor next door neighbour's wife died very suddenly in February and he had to cancel the planned visit to see his daughter for Christmas. Feel like I can't complain about anything today.

Great to see the vaccines starting!

The numbers up north are scary, though - over 1500 today!

I'm assuming (hoping) that today's numbers in NI are partly due to delayed reporting for a few days over the holidays.

@hopeishere

I'm assuming (hoping) that today's numbers in NI are partly due to delayed reporting for a few days over the holidays.

Yes, DH and I were just saying that. I also hope the curfew works at stopping any NYE gatherings!

The numbers have been pretty high in the north all week though... Nowhere near as high as today's but still 5/6/700 the past few days.. It's scary