Ireland's Calling for Normal Life to Return, thread number 5

[eggandonion]

Unlinked because I can't remember how to do it, and can't find Help thing.

Back to work for 5 days on Monday. Only did 2 days this week. Thankfully I'll be in the office more than dealing with children, lots of paperwork to do and parents to ring. I hate talking to people on the phone. Actually I dont mind when they ring, I hate having to be the one calling.
Might as well be in work, cant go anywhere else and I'm on my Tod here. (Not sure if that's one d or two)

Unfortunately though we are unique in that we're an island with a land border that's protected by the GFA. Even if we put that hard border back in place (which we really can't) it would be impossible to police it. There's just too many entry points. We could surely minimize the cases by stopping flights into our airports but for it to work the Executive would have to stop flights into the north too. Also of course sea travel should be included. I just can't see that happening.

@LifeInaHamsterWheel that's true, really isn't as simple as it looks at first glance.

Micheal Martin was on RTÉ radio this morning, you can listen back, he was on Brendan O'Connor's programme. It was depressing but I was surprised by how honest he was.

In short, restrictions until the summer, no school until cases are down to 1-200 a day. Delay on vaccination for over 70s due to supply issues. Regrets over how much we opened up in December, they underestimated how many would travel home and not isolate. Look at Belmullet for the consequences.

Oh 😢 thanks @LadyEloise

It's not good is it. And the fact that these newer strains are more infectious and may be vaccine resistant. Bloody hell...
I've got a nice glass of G&T and looking forward to Michael McIntyre's new game show "the wheel"! Living my best life here!!

I'm watching Marvel movies. Currently on Captain America Winter Solider. How does Robert Redford look so good. He in his 70s in this film and could easily pass for 60.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel

It's not good is it. And the fact that these newer strains are more infectious and may be vaccine resistant. Bloody hell... I've got a nice glass of G&T and looking forward to Michael McIntyre's new game show "the wheel"! Living my best life here!!

I caught that that by accident. Hadn't heard of it before - I really enjoyed it.

In the new strain being vaccine resistant, reading this weeks New Scientist- it's not thought to be resistant but the vaccine is less effective against it.

We were supposed to have snow here. Not a snowflake in sight, thankfully.

I'm in South County Cork. It's very unusual for us to get snow, so none today. There is a bitingly cold wind, though.

Lots of snow here. Was watching it falling lastnight

Just started here (Dublin) very light flurry

@isFuzzyBeagMise remember the big snow 3 years ago when we got it first? Or ten years ago? It took us 3 hours to get to Mahon to pick up my dd and friends from the cinema, loads of cars abandoned at mount oval. A little light snow, that's all we can cope with. It's lovely and sunny just now.
I'm ignoring the news today.

I am convinced schools wont be back til september. The roll out is shambolic and there isint enough for frontliners as it is and issues with supply. Just nightmarish for children and parents. Im just thanking god my 3 are as young as they are ( sorry) .

Yes eggandonion, we will never forget it! We all enjoyed it. We slipped and slithered into 'the village' (as we call our local town). No-one could drive so we met lots of people who were doing the same. There was a great atmosphere about the place.

We just about had enough bread for the few days but we ran out of milk. Our town was cut off as the long hill into it was inaccessible and delivery lorries couldn't drive in. It was a mad, bonkers few days.

Yes, re the news. I think it's a good idea to take a break from it and to try and do something nice and switch off.

If you leave now I'm sure everyone can get a trolley full of bread for themselves.

Can't believe I forgot about that when I heard the forecast!!!

The bread shortage. Oh god will I ever forget.
Oh lads I'm in tears watching operation transformation. Hazel the nurse is an absolute hero. I mean they are all heroes in my opinion.
I am pretty sure I wasnt this emotional ever but still.

It started to snow here on the Tues, 3 years ago. Big proper snow. My ds decided to get the bus down from Dublin, it must have been the last bus, Wednesday lunchtime. Because he had a new girlfriend in Cork, not because he wanted to be with his mammy. It wasn't so bad because it was late February, so nice light.
John in the local shop was excellent, he tweeted road and weather information from delivery drivers. We are so not used to it here.
During the really bad snow, before Christmas 10 years ago, our DHL driver in work spent Christmas eve going to clonakiltywith 2 urgent boxes. The shop he delivered to weren't expecting anything. When they opened them, it was Valentine cards!
I'm looking forward to valentine's day and pancake day.

I live near london and am from wales and there is no way on earth I would move home. My children will get jobs more easily here and if I moved,i would rarely see my kids / future grand kids like my elderly parents at the moment. More opportunities in the south east too. Drop it ! As whats ahead is a lonely retirement for you

Oh god @Radyward that would be awful. I don't know what I would do if they were closed until September.

Sorry above post on wrong thread!!
Like the Eu are yet to ok the oxford one. NI is rollling it out so transportation if it to the ROI is easier than getting it supplied to say Austria. Germany have gone rogue and ordered vaccines independently. Stephen donnelly has been slapped down by the Eu for even suggesting pre ordering astra zenecas. Apparantly the hold up here is the lack of specialist fridges for biontechs and now supply of that. It is just extremely slow.im only waiting for NI to open up and us all here still in misery

Are you from Wales, living near London, Radyward?

@Radyward how are you so opinionated on the Irish covid crisis/political system/education system if you aren't Irish and don't live here???

We had a lovely covering of snow this morning, a lot of it is gone now though as it was so sunny. I was out for a long walk it was glorious, I wished I'd worn my sunglasses! It's very overcast now and freezing so I wouldn't be surprised if it snows again. I didn't even think about the bread situation! I gave lots of those part-baked rolls in the press though so we'll manage for a couple of days if there's a problem. I agree with not listening to any news today, it's good to take a day off.

Snowing now in leopardstown, used to love snow days as a kid.
Going up the mountains and using an old tray for a toboggan. Snowball fights, building snowmen then coming back in to warm up by the Superser. Happy carefree days... they seem further away then ever now.