Category Archives: Misc

From top: The Guardian, July 2020; Stephen Donnelly (right), Minister for Health, and Paul Reid, Chief Executive Officer, HSE, launching the HSE Covid Tracker App on July 7, 2020

This morning.

Via Irish Times letters

The article “Covid tracker app used by few to identify close contacts” may lead some to believe that individuals are to blame for the low usage of the HSE Covid app for contact tracing (“Only 20,946 had used the Government app for the purpose for which it was intended by uploading close contacts”).

The likely reason that people aren’t using the HSE’s contract tracing app for contact tracing is, ironically, because the HSE won’t let them. A six-digit code from the HSE is required in order to automatically notify any close contacts.

I recently got Covid and this code wasn’t provided to me by the HSE. I couldn’t use the app to notify close contacts, even though I wanted to.

The HSE should be giving these codes to every infected person. If it isn’t, why not? How often are they being given out? How many people that have been given a code successfully uploaded their contact tracing data?

The Covid tracker app isn’t being used to anywhere near its full potential.

Only the HSE can tell us why.

Nick Bell, Dublin 8.

Anyone?

Irish Times Letters

RollingNews

From top: Russian navy ships; Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will brief his EU counterparts on Russia’s plans to hold naval exercises 240km off the southwest coast of Ireland.

Mr Coveney told reporters in Brussels he had made it clear to the Russian ambassador that the Government did not welcome the move.

He was speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers which will be dominated by escalating tensions over Ukraine.

Mr Coveney said the planned Russian naval exercises were in international waters, “but it is also part of the exclusive economic zone of Ireland.”

Russia told naval exercises off Irish coast not welcome – Coveney (RTE)

RollingNews/AFP

Moncrieff – Warm

We could drive forever.

London-based Irish singer/songwriter Moncrieff (top) celebrates his new deal with the German record label Energie Music with this single from his forthcoming EP.

Already hitting 20,000 streams, Warm is a big-hearted love song with a tremendous video directed by Antoine Poulard and co-starring Moncrieff and Sarah Teare.

Moncrieff writes:

“Nobody’s perfect. This song is about being that person, and that rare moment in life when you find that person that truly sees you for you, your imperfections, flaws and scars as well as your good traits and loves you for them. It’s a really comforting and happy feeling to just know that all you have to do is be yourself.”

Nick says: Two hearts in a can.

Moncrieff

Thank Jim Steinman it’s Friday.

This week’s voucher-less music corner is in honour of the late, great Meat Loaf  RIP.

Taking Bat Out Of Hell as our inspiration, this week I want to know: What’s your favourite song about or referencing an animal?

Here’s mine.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines close on Saturday at Midnight.

Meanwhile….

The Bangles – Manic Monday

Last week, in honour of Ronnie Spector’s passing, I asked for your favourite song by a girl group. The Tec Dr won my esteem with this entry.

“It has to be the catchy as hell Manic Monday written by the Genius Prince and recorded by The Bangles. The piano motif in the song is something else.”

Nick says: Congrats Tec Dr and thanks to everyone who entered.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Steamboat Records, Limerick