This afternoon.

The Acting Chief Medical Officer has said “it’s unfortunate that the plan was published at a time at which the trajectory of the virus is changing in this country”.

Also speaking at the Global Ireland 2020 Summit, Dr Ronan Glynn, said they’ve “tried to be more nuanced and we try to be as proportionate as possible in the measures” but as part of that “it does lead to confusion”.

He said he believes the messaging is very clear: “We don’t want you to mix with any more than one other household, quite simply, now is not the time for wet bars to open in Dublin and equally if possible, and this is the nuance, this is the proportionality, we’re asking people if possible to avoid travel outside of Dublin for the coming couple of weeks”.

Anyone?

Coronavirus ‘driven by people not taking precautions’ (RTÉ)

Dublin-based Pieces of Wood

Irish-made watches carved from recycled and reclaimed wood and bamboo with love.

Founder Gavin Duff writes:

Pieces of Wood is a 100% Irish company newly formed in 2020 who are here to help connect you with the most incredible wooden watches.

But we also have a mission… to be environmentally friendly.

We are carbon neutral. We’re offsetting our delivery footprint by helping to fund the Jarí Para Forest Conservation Project in the Amazon Rainforest.

Also, when you place an order you are given the opportunity to plant a tree for just €1. We are doing this in association with Trees For The Future.

These watches are sustainable, eco-conscious, hypoallergenic, and pretty awesome.

And we have oONE (yes, one) available in an exclusive giveaway for a Broadsheet reader!

To enter, just complete this simple rhyme.:

‘My watch not only tells the time,

It helps the the forests remain sublime,

For the strap and dial are made of wood,

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Lines MUST close at 1pm 2.30pm.

Pieces of Wood

Meet impeccably dapper Berlin couple Günther Krabbenhöft (75) and Britt Kanja (none of your beeswax).

Krabbenhöft, whose sartorial chutzpah made him a viral sensation some years ago, has gone on to become an author and a  professional model .

mymodernmet

Careful.

They’ll want to invade Poland next.

Brendan Keane takes a lingering look at the marchers at Saturday’s rally against Covid restrictions to help disprove the notion that the event was, as has been alleged, simply a cover for ‘Nazis’ and ‘right wing conspiracy loons’.

Fight!

Saturday: We Will Not be Muzzled

Today’s Irish Daily Star

In fairness.

Meanwhile…

‘…The most significant criticism of the current Government is that it has given conflicting and sometimes contradictory health guidance. The public are frustrated both by the pandemic itself and the mixed messages they receive from those in authority.

This is hardly a surprise given the attendance at the Clifden golf dinner. A Cabinet Minister who sat in on discussions about new guidelines clearly did not understand their reach. A European commissioner believed he was within the guidance and a Supreme Court judge was not very clear about their contents at a practical or personal level.

If these eminent people were confused, it is easy to understand how the ordinary citizen might also be confused. If the new oversight group achieves more clarity around messaging and what is practical then it will have achieved a lot.

But it remains hard to believe, having served in government, that an extra layer will render things more transparent.’

Former Fianna Fáil Minister Conor Lenihan.

Covid-19 Oversight Group could add to confusion over health advice (Conor Lenihan, Irish Times)

U-turn of you want to…

…Der Leyen’s not for turning.

“We will never backtrack on that. This agreement has been ratified by this House and by the House of Commons.

“It cannot be unilaterally changed, disregarded or disapplied. This is a matter of law and trust and good faith.”

Ms von der Leyen quoted the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher: “Britain does not break treaties. It would be bad for Britain, bad for relations with the rest of the world, and bad for any future treaty on trade”.

She added: “This was true then, and this is true today. Trust is the foundation of any strong partnership.

Fight!

EU chief says EU will ‘never backtrack’ on Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (RTÉ)

Last night.

Convention Centre, Dublin.

EPIC, the Event Production Industry launched a visual pre-budget submission to support the 35,000 workers in the live entertainment and events sector who cannot work with an installation comprising an empty stage and 100 flight cases alongside impacted members.

Venues across Ireland were lit up red in support of the submission launch.

Last night: In The Red

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

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