Author Archives: Bodger

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer

This morning.

The cabinet covid committee is to meet later  to discuss recommendations contained in a letter yesterday to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan rergarding socialising this Christmas.

Via RTÉ News:

It is believed that concern has led NPHET to consider recommending the reduction of socialising in the run-up to Christmas – including limiting household gatherings to the host family plus three other households.

It is understood further limitations on hospitality which were being examined included table service; multiple table bookings being discontinued; the number of people allowed at any one table being limited to six people; and further limits on opening times.

A proposal to further extend the use of Covid certs to other areas beyond hospitality – a plan rejected by Government a few weeks ago – is also believed to be a preferred option.

Cabinet Covid committee to meet over NPHET recommendations (RTÉ)

Rollingnews

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

Irish Alphabet by Rene Mullins

The results are in.

Last week, with an A3 print by Rene Mullins of the Irish Alphabet As Gaeilge from Jam Art Prints on offer, we asked you to share a story from your school days you’ve never shared before.

Thank you for all your brilliant stories.

Mark at Jam Art eventually chose reader Paul‘s entry:

‘Our year heads, head boy/girl, prefects etc in our secondary school all had their own badges that would be handed back at the end of the year and given to the next set of students. These badges were fairly nice, good quality, ‘prefect’ cut out neatly, ‘head boy’ engraved, may have been made by a local metalworker in the town. They were a mark of responsibility as well as some of these badges were 10+ years old.

‘Some of them went missing. Missing from locker rooms, missing from on the backs of chairs, missing from bus rides. A quiet fuss was made about this, extra vigilance needed, lists of students who had badges made and referred to at meetings so any extra badges floating around could be rooted out and returned. Nothing came of it. I only heard about this second hand through a friend who was a prefect.

‘Never gave it a second thought until I was in collecting my Leaving Cert results a few years later, turned a corner in the school to open them in private and promptly tripped over a rug (one of these very long rugs, brown/black pattern on top, thick rubber water proof edges), pushing the edge of the rug under the raised edge of a row of lockers (uneven floor) and pushing the missing badges out from the other end of the lockers with a merry jingling as they rolled out. I froze, listened in case anyone else was nearby and then quickly kicked the badges back under the lockers. Two had rolled a bit further (a prefect badge and a year head badge) so I went for them but heard the staff room door opening around the corner. Lifted them from the ground, in the pocket and off I went.

‘Didn’t get great results but those two badges are in a box upstairs at home now. The school was refurbished the following year so they definitely found those badges.’

Congrats Paul and thanks all.

Jam Art Prints

Last week: Zed’s Dead Baby

Meanwhile….

Last Friday, with a GAA county colour friendly match box signed print by Larry Byrne from Jam Art to giveaway, we asked for your least favourite county and why.

Clampers Outside ‘shook’ the competition with this short but sparky entry:

‘Dublin. I’ve a love-hate relationship with Dublin. So much to love, and yet all my hate is channelled… Me bike! Me bikes! All those bleedin’ bikes was robbed on me! Bastids!’

Well done Clampers and thanks all.

Last week: Up For The Matches

 

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

The Government has delayed the introduction of PCR and antigen testing for air and sea passengers arriving into Ireland by 48 hours.

The measure was due to come into force today, however an Aer Lingus spokesperson told RTÉ News that they were informed last night by the Government that the regulations will be delayed until Sunday.

The Government delayed the testing requirement in order to allow passengers and carriers to prepare for the measure.

A senior Government source said this would give more time, for example, for passengers to get a PCR test and result before travelling into Ireland.

Govt delays introduction of Covid tests for arrivals (RTÉ)

Meanwhile…

Yesterday.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announcing the new covid restrictions on travellers enetering the country. The vaccinated will need to be tested.


Ah here.

This afternoon.

Dáil Éireann.

There’s a pair of them in it.

This afternoon.

Golf fundraiser?

This afternoon.

Steady on.

It’s not the Somme for pity’s sake.

*adjusts helmet*

FIGHT!

This Christmas.

Give them the gift of a snug neck and nape.

Heather Finn writes:

Irish made neck warmers make a perfect gift. Hand loomed in soft spun merino yarn in the garden studio in Oranmore, county Galway. Made with care, packaged with compostable packing. Avoid the extra delays and taxes and shop local this Christmas.

Heather Finn Knitwear

Irish-made stocking fillers to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘Irish-Made Stocking Fillers

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, followed by Olaf Scholz, left, arrive for a press conference following a meeting with the heads of government

Both outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholzs (left) have said the unvaccinated are to face additional restrictions

This afternoon.

Via Bloomberg:

Germany imposed stringent nationwide restrictions on people who aren’t vaccinated against Covid-19 and limited attendance at soccer games and other public events…

In one of her final acts as chancellor, Angela Merkel held talks with her incoming successor, Olaf Scholz, and Germany’s 16 regional premiers on Thursday, where they agreed on new curbs including allowing only people who are vaccinated or recovered into restaurants, theaters and non-essential stores.

The officials also backed a plan to make Covid shots compulsory, saying that the lower house of parliament would vote on it soon. Scholz said he expects the measure to pass, and Merkel said she would vote for it if she was in the Bundestag.

A vaccine mandate would be a major departure after Merkel and other officials insisted shots would be a personal choice…

Germany Imposes Strict Curbs on Unvaccinated to Stem Covid (Bloomberg)

AP

Meanwhile…

This morning/afternoon.

Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Sinn Féin’s John Brady (top centre), People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barret (top second right) and independent TD Gino Kenny (top right) meeting Sudanese activists Tariq Elqizouli and Dr Sarah Azhary (at left) outside Leinster House to accept a letter for Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, opposing army rule in Sudan following a coup in October which ended a military partnership with civilian political groups.

Sudan security forces fire tear gas at march against military rule Reuters)

Leah Farrell/RollingNews