Yesterday.
Seanad Eireann.
Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy calls for everyone in the health service to be vaccinated and claims ‘four theatre nurses’ in a Dublin hospital are unjabbed necessitating their replacement by agency staff.
Anyone?
Last night.
It’s no ordinary panto.
It’s The GAIETY panto.
The sleb-stuffed opening night of this year’s Gaiety Panto. The Little Mermaid, running until January 9.
From top: Morah Ryan with daughters Bonnie and Babette; Jennifer Zamparelli and husband Lauterio with their children Florence and Enzo; Kathleen Watkins with her grandchildren Saoirse, Lilly and Maria; Lorraine Keane and daughter Romy.
Oh no, they didn’t (send us an invite).
Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Westlife
On The Late Late Show…
…Linda Pototzki writes:
We welcome some of the stars of the glorious Ireland soccer team who defeated Georgia 11-0 this week. Ryan will be chatting to Ciara Grant, Saoirse Noonan, Denise O’Sullivan and Savannah McCarthy to reflect on their record-breaking win as the dream of World Cup qualification comes within touching distance.
Back with a brand-new album and hugely anticipated stadium tour for 2022, Irish phenomenon Westlife will be live in-studio to perform their latest single ‘Starlight’.
Breakout stars of the Late Late Toy Show DJ Calum and his Hype-Man Jackson will be back with Ryan to follow up on their explosive performance last Friday night…
He had the hit song of summer 2021 and with his family hailing from Ballycumber Co Offaly, singer/songwriter Tom Grennan returns to Ireland to perform the chart-topping hit ‘Little Bit of Love’.
Writer and activist Orla Tinsley will chat to Ryan on the anniversary of her double lung transplant about having received the gift of life from an American donor…
The Late Late Show tomorrow on RTÉ One at 9:35pm.
Last night.
The Tonight Show on VMT.
Journalist and mother Larissa Nolan discusses the new, rushed mask mandate for children over 9 in schools. Pupils from third class upwards must wear a mask all day or be asked to “stand down”.
Yesterday: Don’t Mask, Don’t Tell
Meanwhile…
…via Irish Times:
Can my child really be refused entry to school for not wearing a mask?
Department of Education guidelines state unmasked pupils in third class upwards will be refused entry to school if they do not have a medical certificate to show they are exempt from the rules. Schools, however, are being advised by the Government to take a “flexible” and “practical” approach to the new rules over the coming days.
Are these rules underpinned by law?
The guidelines are not statutory but, like existing rules on face masks for secondary students, schools are required to implement them. When asked if school principals will be legally protected when implementing the wearing of face masks, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said where they apply public health policy they will be “protected definitely”.
On what grounds can a child be exempt from wearing a mask?
There three main grounds under which children may be exempt from wearing a mask:
(1) Any pupil with difficulty breathing or other relevant medical conditions
(2) Any pupil who is unable to remove the cloth face-covering or visor without assistance
(3) Any pupil who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the cloth face covering or visor, for example pupils with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity Do children require a medical certificate to prove they are exempt? Most children will not require a medical certificate on the basis schools are best placed to identify children whose needs are such that the wearing of face covering may not be possible for them. In other circumstances, a medical certificate – from a GP, typically – must be provided to the school.
Yesterday afternoon.
Dublin Airport.
Meanwhile..
The Minister for Health has told the Dáil that Ireland “will be in a better position to act quickly” if legislation is introduced to permit hotel quarantine if it is needed.
Stephen Donnelly was speaking during a debate over the Government’s reintroduction of mandatory hotel quarantine legislation.
“These measures may not be enough” and “hotel quarantine may be necessary for a limited time” to give us time to increase vaccination rates and deliver promising anti-viral drugs, Mr Donnelly said.
The biggest benefit of quarantine previously was that it delayed visits to Ireland from countries of concern.
Mr Donnelly said the bill contains new provisions based on lessons learned from Ireland’s previous experience, including the speeding up of the appeals process.
Dáil debates reintroduction of mandatory hotel quarantine laws (RTE)
French President Emmanuel Macron (left) privately called Boris Johnson a ‘clown’, says a French magazine
I wonder if Johnson will frown
When he hears how his act has gone down
With the neighbours in France
As I think there‘s a chance
That he doesn’t want to be a clown
Getty
More to follow
Watford’s Moussa Sissoko points the ref toward the stands during tonight’s game with Chelsea
Tonight.
Via Mirror Sport:
Watford’s Premier League clash with Chelsea was temporarily suspended after a medical emergency in the stands.
Players spotted a fan in distress in the Graham Taylor stand, prompting medical staff to sprint across the field at Vicarage Road and offer assistance.
The Watford supporter suffered a heart attack, the club later confirmed.
Moments later the players were ordered to leave the field and returned to their respective dressing rooms to keep warm while medics administered CPR to the fan.
Watford vs Chelsea temporarily suspended after fan suffers heart attack in stands (Mirror Sport)
Getty
Meanwhile…
The fan collapsed during half-time between Southampton and Leicester City
Also tonight.
Via Mirror Sport:
Southampton’s Premier League clash with Leicester City was temporarily suspended after a fan needed emergency medical treatment in the stadium.
The fan collapsed during the half-time break but did not suffer a cardiac arrest.
Leicester City tweeted: “There will be a delay to kick-off for the second half due to a medical emergency in the stands.”
While a message on the scoreboard read: “Second half delayed due to a medical incident. Thank you for your patience.”
The fan was treated inside St Mary’s before being taken to the hospital.
Southampton vs Leicester temporarily suspended after fan emergency in stadium (Mirror Sport)
Rex
Earlier…
At least 69 athletes collapse in one month, many deadhttps://t.co/jfRBk245J0
— Robert W Malone, MD (@RWMaloneMD) December 1, 2021
‘The current phenomenon is also evident if you simply look on Wikipedia at the list of footballers who have collapsed and died. The year 2021 stands out with 13 entries so far. In no other year mentioned have more footballers died during a game. And this list goes back to the year 1889. So it really is a historical event…’
At least 69 athletes collapse in one month, many dead (Free West Media)
Meanwhile…
— Deleuze (@Kukicat7) December 1, 2021
Meanwhile…
Arina Biktimirova
This afternoon.
Via RT:
The shocked coach of a tragic taekwondo starlet who won European gold less than a month ago says there is no obvious cause of her death at the age of 19, with messages of support arriving from across Russia.
Perm University prodigy Arina Biktimirova is said to have suddenly died at home in the city where she studied on Monday, leaving her parents mourning their only child.
‘We cannot understand’: Sudden death of taekwondo champion, 19, branded a mystery (RT)
Meanwhile…
Siobhan Cattigan
This afternoon.
Via Sky News:
Scottish Rugby player Siobhan Cattigan has died aged 26, the sport’s governing body and her club have announced.
Cattigan, who played for Stirling County RFC, passed away on 26 November, the club said.
….She described Scotland’s historic win against Ireland in 2018 as one of her personal highlights as the team claimed an away victory for the first time in 12 years, Scottish Rugby added.
Siobhan Cattigan: Scottish rugby player dies aged 26 (Sky)
Previously ‘Urgent Medical Care’
President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen
This afternoon.
Via RTÉ News:
The President of the European Commission has said it is her personal view that there should be a discussion at EU level on the idea of mandatory vaccination for Covid-19.
Ursula von der Leyen said that with 66% of the entire population vaccinated, that still meant 150 million people, or one third of the population, were still unvaccinated.
Talks on mandatory vaccination should happen – Von der Leyen (RTÉ)
Meanwhile..
About 1 billion doses have been delivered in the EU.
Over 360 million doses of mRNA vaccines will be delivered by the end of the first quarter 2022.
This is sufficient for all fully vaccinated Europeans to get a booster.
So go get it. pic.twitter.com/sHQwm2yslo
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 1, 2021
Meanwhile…
Germany: Plans for vaccine passports to expire six months after people receive their second jabs.
Olaf Scholz, the incoming German chancellor, wants to treat everyone who fails to get a booster as unvaccinated. https://t.co/7hbU3dFYqX
— ‘Sikh For Truth’. (@SikhForTruth) December 1, 2021
Gulpen.
Just Eat will now carry the Starbucks menu
This changes everything.
This afternoon.
Gemma Harte writes:
‘Coffee lovers of the nation will be pleased to hear that Starbucks® Delivery is now available on the Just Eat app, featuring the mouth-watering range of signature seasonal specials.
Celebrating the first day of the festive month of December, Just Eat will feature everyone’s favourite specialty coffees, iced beverages, sweet treats and light bites including the iconic Starbucks Christmas menu.
Amanda Roche-Kelly, Managing Director Just Eat Ireland said:
“Just Eat and Starbucks have a shared vision to deliver convenience and as the Irish coffee culture continues to grow, through this exciting partnership we’re offering Just Eat customers what they want, when and where they want it.“
*jitter*
