‘A Real Playground For Viruses’

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From top: Revellers prove their vaccine status while queuing for Copper Face Jack’s; Professor Christine Loscher

This afternoon.

“The problem with having a cohort of unvaccinated people for a long time means that the virus gets to do the rounds.

“If you have 75% of the population vaccinated, and that’s a good spread amongst the age groups, the chances of them all mixing at the same time are lower.

If you’ve got a vaccination rate of 75% in people above a certain age, you still have a lot of people unvaccinated mixing and I think that’s a real playground for viruses.

“While New York has a similar level of vaccination to us, their vaccination is more spread out amongst the population. What I mean by that is that they rolled out vaccines for 12 to 17 year olds way quicker than anywhere else, which means that they took another kind of unvaccinated population out of the picture way quicker than we did.

“We were spending a lot of time up until very recently, with a lot of unvaccinated cohorts, up to the age of 18. The uptake has been generally okay for 12 to 16 year olds, but we’re not quite there yet.”

Prof Christine Loscher, Professor of Immunology at Dublin City University

Anyone?

5 reasons why Ireland’s Covid numbers are still so high (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

HSE CEO Paul Reid at the weekly HSE briefing at Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin this afternoon

This afternoon.

Thanks, Paul.

RollingNews

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73 thoughts on “‘A Real Playground For Viruses’

  1. freewheeling

    Hey Loescher, bat it out with you colleagues first before spouting it in the media and experimenting your theories on our children:

    “Interpretations from scientists who only conduct short-term surveillance studies in vaccinees [..] lead to erroneous, although peer-reviewed conclusions such as: ‘[..] the unvaccinated are still the major drivers of transmission and are themselves at the highest risk of serious disease’. This clearly illustrates their lack of understanding of the contribution of innate immunity in providing short-term protection after vaccination, and in the more durable protection of young and healthy unvaccinated age groups [..] it is reasonable to expect booster injections to only enable the virus to more rapidly evolve resistance to the vaccines. This evolution would be dramatically expedited by vaccinating and boosting more and more younger age groups.”

    https://www.geertvandenbossche.org/post/what-happens-if-israel-fails-the-stress-test

  2. scottser

    i consider myself a reasonable sort of bloke and i’ve had the jabs, wear masks n all but i’m not getting a booster, nor will i jab my kids, nor will i show a vaccine passport to go back to work.

    1. Gavin

      Id be in the same boat, really got the first 2 jabs due to pressure, but a lot of those who applied that pressure will not be getting the booster, which is a little annoying. I can’t see myself going to be jabbed every six months for a virus I had and felt like nothing more than a bad cold, maybe as I near the higher age bracket. But the passes are something I’m quite disgusted by

    2. Mr.T

      No booster no service – coming soon.
      The new scapegoats will be the anti-booster brigade.

      “How can we convince the anti-boosters that booster shots are the way back to normality?”

  3. Redmond Comerford

    Ah, @Threadsirish, a far right, nationalist conspiracy site gets a big play on Broadsheet.
    Keep up the good work guys!

    1. Gavin

      I’d agree posting info from them is not much good, should have linked to the actual article in Indo where the information comes from, assuming we aren’t considering the Indo far-right, nationalist conspiracy nuts as well…are we?

      1. Redmond Comerford

        Ah, @Threadsirish, a far right, nationalist conspiracy site gets a big play on Broadsheet.
        Keep up the good work guys!

        It’s all good if you think that uncritically mainstreaming the far right and their anti-vax propaganda is a useful publishing function.
        5 million people are dead from this virus. No too long ago these same folks were claiming it was relatively harmless and that attempts to curtail it were all part of a deep state conspiracy.
        Quite correctly Broadsheet tries to hold the government to account. But Broadsheet has nothing to say about this far right gang. Instead Broadsheet uncritically promotes them.

        1. Bodger

          Redmond, the left right dichotomy is pretty irrelevant now, especially as the left have gone full ‘fash’. But continue to chase phantoms.

          1. Redmond Comerford

            Have you looked back at the anti-vax tweets you’ve re-published and tested them against what’s happened since? That’s journalism. It would also be a useful service to your readers. The anti-vax movement is almost entirely organized by the far right. Not a phantom.

        2. Gavin

          Well that’s a tangent, like I said the info comes from the indo, are we saying thats far right nonsense?

        3. Micko

          Ah Redmond

          I don’t know what age you are, but when I was younger the left was all about the counter culture, striking out against the status quo and upholding the rights of a person’s individual freedom.

          Now, as Bodger says it’s gone full on fash.

          How the hell is “paper’s please” and “no jab, no job” in keeping with the founding principles of the left?

          I think it has something to do with them being redundant.

          We (in reality) live in the most tolerant society ever – particularly in Ireland.

          We are openly accepting of LGBTQ society, embracing or other races and skin colours, women’s rights have advanced tremendously, children are protected better than they ever have been – all these great things.

          But, to hear left campaigners talk, they would have you believe that we are living in the Deep South of America in the 1950’s, banging on about the ‘far right’ etc.

          It’s absolutely ludicrous.

          1. Bodger

            Far right candidates got less than one per cent in the last General Election combined. We have an NGO for every right wing voter.

          2. Oro

            Haha that’s a very one sided promotional view of things you’ve presented. To add some context:

            LGBT people suffer less discrimination than before sure, but are still victims of societal bigotry.

            Women have lower political representation and access to wealth. Womens health services very lacking, discriminated against regards to childcare etc.

            I’m not going to get into the living conditions that are faced by many of irelands immigrants, but suffice to say they’re not up to standard.

            And children – the absolute inequality they face whether or not they’re born into wealth. The totally different lives they face depending entirely on the financial position of their family unit.

            To sit back and say ‘yeah it’s grand’ when these realities are still in place in this day and age, says a lot about how comfortable you are and how little you encounter those that are less fortunate. I figured your little bit about those doing well thru covid was a projection, this just iron clad it.

          3. Chris

            @Oro And it’s your contention that it’s the far-right, that don’t have even one seat in the dail, are behind all these issues you perceive?

          4. Micko

            No one is. saying ‘yeah it’s grand’ Oro. Yes, things can improve – of course they can.

            But to think that we are living in a society where the ‘far right” running rampant is ludicrous.

            To address your points though

            “LGBT people suffer less discrimination than before sure, but are still victims of societal bigotry.”

            The leader of this country was an openly gay man of Indian decent.

            “Women have lower political representation and access to wealth.”

            The president of this country was a woman – TWICE. And it’s illegal to pay a woman less for the same job.

            The thing that is driving normal people to the “far right” crazies if anything, is the bloody ludicrous claims from extreme left people that things are worse then they have ever been.

            Which is crazy. And people can see it with their own eyes.

            “says a lot about how comfortable you are”

            Yup yer dead right.

            I am VERY elfin privileged and I’m bloody well grateful for it every day. I have a wonderful life and family and was VERY lucky to be born in to a nice (not rich) supportive family albeit in a place that was a bit of a kip in it’s day (tis nice now though).

            Plus, I’m pretty clever so I’ve been able to take my skills and build a successful business – which is back on track since concerts and nightlife is back. So I’m a happy guy ;)

            I’m also very humble (that last bit might a spoof)

          5. Oro

            All of your little individual replies to my more broad statements don’t address the core issue which is about equality. A common tactic of someone from a non discriminated class.

            Until LGBT people face as little bigotry as straight gender conforming people then it is not a cause for celebrating, especially by someone from a non-discriminated against group.

            Take your 2 women presidents and go do a count on members of the dail (under 25%) then do the Seanad (under 40%), then do councilors (22%). How’re those numbers working out for you?

            And when I said wealth I wasn’t just talking about pay, I was talking about property / assets and business ownership.

            I’ll make a notice that you didn’t contend with my points about immigrants or children at all, says something in not saying anything ;)

            My point about your position is that its a bit rich of you to be speaking about social issues as if they don’t exist, or to downplay them, when they don’t affect you, and then making up some narrative about ‘far right’ or ‘extreme left’ in order to get your weird point across.

            I don’t think that the ‘far right’ are a significant political faction in Ireland (thank god) but the reason people bring it up here is because certain editors engage in in. Then to act all “god don’t accuse me of that!!!” Is just a bit trite idk.

          6. Oro

            Ok I never said anything (or at least I don’t think I did) about the far right idk why that keeps getting leveled at me.

            You’re misusing discrimination. Discrimination can only happen in certain ways, its legally described as such. I’m not referring to subjective categories of discrimination, rather to real acknowledged discrimination.

            I don’t think equality is such an insane agenda either.

            You perceive a wedge – yet the type of person that perceives this wedge is typically your type, I.e. one that has never experienced discrimination, that’s why I drew attention to you in my earlier comment. That’s also why my situation is less relevant, I’m not a seeking to deny the reality of discrimination in society, like you were doing (intentionally or unintentionally).

            But to address your presumptions (i based my comments on what you’ve divulged about yourself personally, yet you’re basing yours on presumption), I’m Irish, I’m white, I left Ireland because of economic necessity not by volition.

            I don’t see this position of acknowledging the reality of discrimination or inequality in Ireland (or any other country) to be a ‘crackpot’ position rather than one that hopefully (given sufficient take up) will go some way to healing the gaps between the have it alls and the have nots. You don’t seem to care so much, you have a predisposition to pretend like any and every problem does not exist, because they’re not issues for you personally. Hope the gig was fun lol.

          7. Micko

            Oh and I’ve a show on in town tonight, so I’ve got to pop out now.

            But leave your reply below and I’ll check it later when I’m back :)

            Toodles x

          8. Micko

            “I’ll make a notice that you didn’t contend with my points about immigrants or children“

            Well, I think I addressed that yes the world is not perfect. But however;

            “A common tactic of someone from a non discriminated class.”

            We are all discriminated against and privileged in different ways Oro.

            You could be tall, short, fat, thin, ugly, rich, poor, uneducated, smart, talented, beautiful, be from a undesirable area, etc

            I find Inter-sectionalists like yourself are only interested in separating people in specific ways, that allow you to drive your insane agenda.

            Usually Gender, Race, Sex & Ethnicity.

            The doctrine that you subscribe to, only seeks to drive a wedge further between people, by making them seem different to each other by their affiliation to certain groups. It’s hateful.

            In REALITY we are ALL individuals and deserve to be seen and treated as such. We are ALL the same – gifted in some ways and punished in others.

            But tell me, how privileged are you Oro?

            I’m assuming that since you’re Irish – you’re white. You’re well educated right? College I’m assuming? (You must have learned this intersectional crap somewhere)

            I’m sure you’re pretty successful in your chosen career and you were wealthy enough to travel and live in another country You’ve lived there for a while right? So I’ll assume you’re successful in finding accommodation and have a visa or maybe it’s a European country – yet another privilege you enjoy.

            Unless, did you travel there by a little boat with 30 other immigrants did you?

            Have YOU checked your privilege today Oro?

            Your ideology is crackpot crazy and thankfully it will destroy itself.

          9. Micko

            “Discrimination can only happen in certain ways, its legally described as such.”

            Oh really?

            Explain it to me so

          10. Micko

            Yeah

            Coz you know it’s absolute BS and falls apart under the slightest scrutiny.

            Total joke it is.

            Anyone can be discriminated against for any aspect of their being.

          11. Oro

            No, they can’t, this is a common tactic by those that want to devalue other peoples discrimination. Nice one ;)

          12. Micko

            “a common tactic”

            Right sure it is.

            And BTW Oro, the fact that those anti-discrimination laws even exist just proves my ORIGINAL point that we live in the most tolerant society that has ever existed and things in society are better for EVERYONE.

            Those laws were only introduced not so long ago. Before that people were stuffed.

            Just like the way you guys pretend things are now. When we LITERALLY have laws to stop them

            .
            .

            Check

            Mate

          13. Oro

            I think your reliance on easy sound bytes just goes to prove my point more. These laws wouldn’t have to exist if discrimination was not endemic in society, they didn’t put them in place of the lols.

            Society is more tolerant sure (of certain groups) but far far far from equal, and your desperate need to act as if it’s all fine and dandy just says a lot about you, that’s all.

            Glad you acknowledged my earlier point about discrimination not affecting you just because you’re 5’7” or your hairline is receding tho. Every small victory counts ;)

          14. Micko

            Read my original point. Things are vastly
            better for everyone now.. You pretend they aren’t

            Are those great anti- discrimination laws we have nowadays, the reason Mary Robinson was president of the country was it? I seem to remember a private concealed vote in the 80’s. Where people of the country could vote any way they wanted. All their hate could be spewed onto the ballot paper.

            Or were people just ok with a woman being president. We’d moved on, matured.

            The inter-sectionalists want to convince us that things are worse than ever.

            They’re not. They are getting better for everyone.

            To deny how far we’ve come just disrespects all the people who fought before.

          15. Oro

            Nobody’s saying anything is worse than ever but there’s no point pretending that we live in some fake idealistic version of the world where everybody is equal, when the reality is that they’re not. You’re pretending that discriminator doesn’t exist because it doesn’t suit you, because you don’t suffer it and it’s a guilt projection probably. Whatever it doesn’t matter the reason you do it, I’m not saying things aren’t improving, that’s putting words in my mouth, but it’s not all fine and dandy either. Things only change or improve under pressure, you’re hampering improvement by pretending there are no issues. It’s just unhelpful.

          16. Micko

            “ just because you’re 5’7” or your hairline is receding ”

            Your immature attempts to ridicule your perceived appearance of me, tells me everything I need to know. You’re losing the argument when you need to resort to that guff.

            Besides. Even if I was all those things. I’d be ok with that. Should I be ashamed of those things? Should I be ashamed of my appearance? Is that what you want?

            Not very PC Oro. Just because you’re attractive.

            Check your privilege.

          17. Oro

            You made enough assumptions about me earlier, don’t get upset when it’s reversed. Was i 2/2? Btw I don’t think those are bad attributes but those are the kinda dumb things that people pretend are categories where they face discrimination, when they don’t matter. There you go proving my point again.

          18. Micko

            “ You’re pretending that discriminator doesn’t exist”

            No. You’re pretending that’s what i said.

            Can you please reread my original post.

          19. Micko

            “ You made enough assumptions about me earlier”

            I assumed you were white Irish, well educated, well travelled, successful, wealthy and now attractive.

            You assumed I was 5’7 and balding…

            Cry me a frickin river lady.

          20. Oro

            I actually didn’t mean those to you, it was to a generic third person, but you just presumed they were. Went along with it.

          21. Micko

            “ just because YOU’RE 5’7” or your hairline is receding”

            I think I need to take back my “well educated” assumption, you don’t seem to know how English works.

    2. SOQ

      When I hear people talking about ‘far right’ in relation to this issue, I assume they have an agenda where guilt by association is the inference.

      1. Redmond Comerford

        Ok. So who organizes the anti-vax demonstrations across Europe, the United States, Latin America and Asia? And who are pandemic deniers? Bolsonaro in Brazil, Modi in India, Trumpsters in the US etc.

  4. Micko

    The picture above with the four young girls smiling as they pointlessly (half) wear masks with their government mandated health pass in hand, along with their ID as proof just so they can go for bop and live their lives as normal, is one of the saddest things I’ve seen in a long time.

    And I don’t mean “sad” in a nasty jokey way.

    I mean bloody heartbreaking.

    1. galaxiapolizia

      will we ever fully comprehend and truly appreciate
      just how lucky we really were, growing up…?

    2. Poor oul divil

      Ppl should remember they were young once and not be slagging off young wans like sad old dinosaurs

      1. Micko

        Ummm

        Not slagging.

        Empathising with the absolute BS the government has mandated they have to go through just to go to a nightclub and enjoy some semblance of normalcy.

        Thought I made that pretty clear. Dunno how you got slagging.

        1. Poor oul divil

          Yes not slagging
          You described it as bloody heartbreaking
          And made reference to the physical appearances of the protagonists, describing what they were doing, something borne entirely out of their own free will incidentally, as being “one of the saddest things you’ve seen in a while”
          Definitely not slagging though

  5. Jono

    A virus residing in a host with an inefficient vaccine has proven more dangerous in the past than a host who is not vaccinated.

        1. Chris

          The article above isn’t dealing in reality. The ‘vaccines’ we’re never going to be a cure. An involuntary subscription service was their intent.

          1. freewheeling

            They were never going to be the cure, but they may in fact also end up making it worse! If and when that becomes public knowledge that may be what puts the kibosh on Pfizer’s grand subscription plans.

  6. eamonn

    can someone have a word in paul’s ear and tell him it is never too late for the Irish people to have a health service that cuts the mustard on a normal day. Not to mention during Flu season, or trolley season.It is hard to take lectures on being responsible from the people responsible for the inadequacies of out health service.

  7. Redmond Comerford

    So Bodger: Is Covid dangerous? Should the government try to stop it spreading? If so, how? It would be really useful to read some opinion and information on Broadsheet about that.

    But I guess the flag waving blowhards cynically telling gullible people the pandemic is a deep state plot leading to fascism are much more fun. And holding the latter to account would entail some actual journalism.

    1. SOQ

      If broadsheet.ie is so far out as to be spinning around the earth at twice the speed of “grounded”- then why do you care enough to comment?

  8. Redundant Proofreaders Society

    “It’s never too late to come forward”.
    Sounds like a priest’s homily.
    Or the school principal trying to weed out the culprits.

  9. galaxiapolizia

    was just thinking the same thing:
    it’s like when the GorrrrrrDaoiiiiii get on
    the meeja-airwaves to outline a particularly heartless
    hit and run… and then proceed to lean piously on
    the offender’s (possible) sense of guilt
    and brow-beat them with deep, deep shame…

  10. Kim The Cardassian

    If only Ireland was more like a country that pushed back on the vaccine and just got on with our lives.

    *looks at Romania*

    Oh…

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