This morning.

Via Irish Times:

‘As the phone lines clog up at the general practice where I work with parents seeking an exemption for their children wearing masks at school, I see a glimmer of hope in the publication this week of William Reville’s examination of the limitations and fallibility of narrow scientific analysis (“‘Following the science’ is not enough in a pandemic”, December 2nd) along with Fintan O’Toole’s belated critique of the effective outsourcing of governmental authority to Nphet (Opinion, November 30th).

‘Doctors are trained to have a balanced and holistic understanding of the multiplicity of dimensions that define health and wellbeing, and also to determine when a health intervention is not worth the cost.

‘Children and younger adults have paid enough for the deficiencies of our health service over the past long months and should not be subject to any further steps which do not benefit them directly.’

Dr David O’Connell, Dublin 7

irish Times Letters

RoillingNews

Meanwhile…

Mary Coughlan

On Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything…

…Rayna Connery writes:

Comedian and actor PJ Gallagher rides in on his Penny Farthing to tell Angela why he thinks Amy Huberman is like a ham sandwich; how he’s a “cranky old hoor” now that he’s 46; why he believes he and Louis Walsh were separated at birth and his belief that if he eats too many chips he will in fact go bald!

Former rugby player, chart topper and award-winning author Niall Breslin chats to Angela about creating an “arse halo” whilst mooning on the bus; his love of all things DIY; his mum’s cringe inducing nickname for him – “Pet Lamb” and why he thinks the world is moving too fast for all of us.

Red headed warrior queen and singer Mary Coughlan catches up with her former stylist Angela and regales her with stories of her nude modelling career in Limerick; teaching Julia Roberts how to sing; her interest in Celtic spirituality and Shamanism and who’s in her Whatsapp group “Three Hairy Bitches.”

Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything tomorrow on RTÉ One at 9:10pm.

Eau.

Last night.

Paris, France.

Ultan Mashup writes:

8pm Pigalle last night. Loads of testing locations in Paris. 30 yo yos. Negative pour moi…

Earlier: Deny The Passenger

Meanwhile…

Good grief.

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.

More to follow.

Meanwhile…


Ah here.

This afternoon.

Dáil Éireann.

There’s a pair of them in it.

This evening.

Austria had hoped to become the first country in Europe to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory by law on February 1.

That’ll learn him.

Meanwhile…

Austria’s former chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced on Thursday he is retiring from politics. Kurz told reporters in Vienna that the recent birth of his first child had motivated him to take the step. The 35-year-old stepped down as Austria’s leader two months ago amid ongoing corruption allegations.

And him.

Austria’s ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz retires from politics (EuroNews)

Earlier: Are You Volk Yet?

Previously: Austrian Resistance

Getty

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