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.

Went for a walk today within my 5 km limit.
You'd never know there was a pandemic except some people were wearing masks. Queues for coffee down the street.

We went to the edge of our limit for a walk, it was busy and constantly busy at the coffee trailer parked there. We got petrol for the first time since ten days before Christmas.

@JaneJeffer

I am pissed off that we have been stuck in the house since December (apart from DH) but it's fine for people to fly in from Brazil. What's the fucking point?

Yes ill admit to feeling our efforts are all a bit pointless when planes are still landing 150 times a day. It's frustrating

I've noticed more planes going over this month. We're on the flight path for Shannon.

@JaneJeffer

I am pissed off that we have been stuck in the house since December (apart from DH) but it's fine for people to fly in from Brazil. What's the fucking point?

Agree with you. It's like there's a group of people unable to do anything or go anywhere and a group who's life hasn't changed in the slightest.

Why have 2000 people coming in from Brazil? What was the need?

I read that a huge number of them work in meat plants. They are skilled at butchering and happy to do it for minimum wage. Maybe that's gone home for Christmas and returned? I can't see anyone coming here for a holiday at the moment sure nothing is open?! Also a lot of Brazilian students apparently. Who knows? Well, the people who should know clearly don't I'm just not convinced that we've got this strain under control. They said exact same thing about the British strain and now they're saying 90% of cases are that strain!! I'm feeling so despondent today

I wonder if anyone can advise me here. Dd is making her confirmation, she's shielding since March last year.

We are to attend a meeting with the priest tomorrow, I'm meant to bring dd with me. As dd is disabled it means she travels an hour to her special needs school, she currently is being 'home learning'.

I phoned the priest Friday to explain dd is shielding, the church is near her school which is way over the 5k. He said it is important we attend.

There's a check point going out of our town so if I drive we'll definitely be stopped, the priest said that these meetings are permitted, he did suggest getting the bus as they aren't stopped but I can't bring dd and her wheelchair on 2 buses, never mind she weighs a ton and they're not wheelchair accessible.

He's adamant that the guards won't question this if I drive. Is it allowed? I really can't see how going to a church meeting with others is allowed.

To be honest Lipz I don't think they'll do anything. They'll ask where you're going and they'll likely just say "fine, good luck" when you tell them. I travel to my office twice a week and any time I'm stopped that's all they say. They've never once asked me what my job is, is it essential, prof that I'm needed there etc. I am always amazed!! And anyway I haven't seen a checkpoint for weeks now. It's a joke really.
So basically I think you'll be absolutely fine to go and really it's up to you whether you think you should or not.

Its a joke the 5k. So many just not abiding with these makey uppy as they go along rules now and too right
We are allowed independent thought.still.fgs endless lockdowns dont work even this is echoed by Dr Michael Ryan of WHO. People have had enough and will abide my some but not all anymore. govt. So so inept .my parents are vacci ated at 85 yrs old so why the 5k
Why cant i go see them as i am also vaccinated ??? A lot of people in same position as me !!!

@LifeInAHamsterWheel

To be honest Lipz I don't think they'll do anything. They'll ask where you're going and they'll likely just say "fine, good luck" when you tell them. I travel to my office twice a week and any time I'm stopped that's all they say. They've never once asked me what my job is, is it essential, prof that I'm needed there etc. I am always amazed!! And anyway I haven't seen a checkpoint for weeks now. It's a joke really. So basically I think you'll be absolutely fine to go and really it's up to you whether you think you should or not.

Thank you for that. As I haven't driven past the check point I was unsure what they ask, do etc. I do be hearing of fines, sending people back home etc. The check point is there every day, I think maybe because it's the border of 2 main counties that they are there.

I couldn't afford a fine but if they're just sending people on their way, that's brill. I won't worry about it then. Dh can't come as he's shielding too since March and he's the one who is more confident.

It'll be like a little holiday going lol haven't seen the next town in nearly a year.

I haven't seen a roadblock at all this lockdown, but I'm sure if your dd is with you, and you vaguely say an appointment, youd be fine. I think the priest should do it by phone, zoom, whatever though.
But a trip out is very exciting!
I'm pining for my two older kids today, they are several counties away but might as well be in California or Australia. And my youngest child is stuck here, she is missing her twenties - pubs,shops, travel. Some days are worse than others.

Omg so depressing to read on another thread here about possible UK opening up plans, April for outdoor dining and restaurants, us fckn July MAYBE.. Population of UK i think is around 80 million vs us at 5 million in the Republic. How is it this difficult to sort out vaccines for probably only 3 million here or is it just the lack of supply?

Also re certain places in good weather being busy, everything.else.is.closed. so people will naturally go to the same , extremely limited places that are open. I mean closing up beaches.....we are not in the Mediterranean ffs. The beaches near me are huge and wild , probably the best place for social distancing. Everyone I have spoken to has had enough, two plp I know have been affected by a missed and late cancer diagnosis. This isn't sustainable.

@Sooverthis1

Omg so depressing to read on another thread here about possible UK opening up plans, April for outdoor dining and restaurants, us fckn July MAYBE.. Population of UK i think is around 80 million vs us at 5 million in the Republic. How is it this difficult to sort out vaccines for probably only 3 million here or is it just the lack of supply?

The population of UK is 66.83 million. There have been 1,800.72 deaths per million due to COVID-19.

The population fo Ireland is 4.94 million. There have been 817.32 deaths per million due to COVID-19.

I've a horrible feeling they are going to fuck up again over there.

Mind you, I absolutely understand your frustration. I'm at breaking point. I have seen my elderly parents for 435 days (I've actually counted). I feel like punching walls with frustration.

Also (someone might need to check my percentages are messed up) Ireland are taking a different process. They are fully vaccinating people sooner (so vaccines dose are going to the same person twice, whereas in the UK they are mostly going to different people. If that makes sense!!)

In the UK:
17.58 million people have received one dose (26% of the population)
615,148 people are fully vaccinated (0.92% of the population)

In Ireland:
205,955, people have received one dose (0.04% of the population)
120,520 people are fully vaccinated (0.02% of the population)

That said, the HSE is FREAKING SLOW isn't it

I know so many now refusing to be vaccinators. Its a shambles. Its just terrible. RTE reports deaths. Cases and vaccine no's. For Northern ireland they report deaths and cases. Not a word about the near 500k total doses given up there. I am fuming at the govt
There are so many tradespeople at home tearing their hair out. Wanting to provide fir their families and told stay at home for another 9 weeks !!!i mean correct me if im wrong. Last summer things were open,no plans for that this summer
The likes of westport if not already ghost towns will be. Im only dying for an election because MM and the rest of them will be out.the convention centre cost per day is a joke. Vaccinate them and back to leinster house with yem that will save some money.

Ah ok, maybe I'm totally wrong then and Ireland aren't that far behind the UK.

Gps getting 120 euro an hr at the vaccine centre is outrageous.
I know of one GP who reduced the practice nurses hrs in his own practice as he is doing 3 full days a week in one of the centres in Dublin.
In the UK.vaccinators get 10 pounds per h i actually dont know what the Dr.s get in fairness. MM is wrecking peopleslives and livelihooods over mismanagement

My GP friend in Uk is getting band 5 nurse rates to be a vaccinationer, so ward nurse - not even sister !

I had no high hopes for MM. He was a minister in Bertie's Celtic Tiger government and in Brian Cowen's post Crash government.

I could cry, I got a fine 😭😭😭 100 blooming euro. I actually cried into the guards face, I haven't left my area since March last year, go to one supermarket for bread and milk and chemist, that's it, Followed every feckin rule known to man. Now I get a fine because I was going to a confirmation meeting. When I told the guard that the priest told me it was permitted, he looked at me like I was on drugs. He said everything that can be done at home is to be done at home and a meeting can be done at home. I was so embarrassed. I rang the church and spoke with a different priest and he said everyone else managed to get there without problems, how many were there..... I'm raging with myself, the guards have my name they fined me, I broke the rules. Everyone else is visiting, partying and living a fuckin normal life, I'm sitting in every day with 5 kids none of us going out to protect dh and dd and the one time I do I'm caught.

The same meeting that that priest dragged you into and that you weren't comfortable going to? God, I'm so sorry. If the priest had any shame he'd pay it off himself.

Oh Lipz
I am so sorry.
That should not have happened.
You just met a total sh*t.
I think you just were unlucky.
They have discretion I'm sure.
Can you appeal ?
Not very Christian of the priest either commenting that others made it
(why am I not surprised).
It's things like that that just send you over the edge. When you are trying to help someone and the world conspires against you.
Judging by your posts on here you are doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances.
Don't let the feckers get you down.
You're a swan. The others are just ducks.
I read that on Mumsnet and thought it was great. Empowering.

That's a fucking disgrace Lipz.

Spoken to the prick of a priest and asked him for your money? His shite talk cost you.

@SionnachRua

The same meeting that that priest dragged you into and that you weren't comfortable going to? God, I'm so sorry. If the priest had any shame he'd pay it off himself.

Yeah, the priest was so certain that it was allowed. When the guard gave me a funny look when I said it to him, I realised as soon as the words left my mouth how stupid it sounded.

I was questioning it in my head at first, couldn't understand how churches are closed and only very small amounts allowed to funerals and weddings, that how come this was allowed, a meeting of parents and children.

Ach the priest is just harking back to the 'good aul days' of Church control over the country. He knew well it wasn't allowed I'm sure.

He put you in a horrible position with an implied threat of your dd not making her Confirmation. Imo anyway. I don't blame you at all for going along with it and you shouldn't blame you either.