Tag Archives: coronavirus

Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) General Secretary Michael Gillespie

This morning.

About that Leaving Cert…

“Our expectation is that the exams will go ahead – we think it’s very important that the exams go ahead.

“Maybe the mocks should be delayed and they do not need to be as big a priority given the situation we find ourselves in. They are a moveable feast.”

“Orals and practicals take place much later in the year and we would hope that by that time, the very high risk students and teachers will all have had their vaccinations.”

Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) General Secretary Michael Gillespie on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland earlier.

Meanwhile…

A proposal to close schools for the rest of January, due to rising Covid-19 infections, will be considered later this afternoon by the Government’s Cabinet sub-committee on coronavirus.

The three Coalition leaders and at least six ministers will participate in the deliberations.

However, a final decision will only be taken at a full Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

TUI expects exams to go ahead, says mocks are ‘a moveable feast’ (RTÉ)

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Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan

Last night.

HSE briefing.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that if people start experiencing flu-like symptoms over the coming days, then to presume it is Covid-19.

He said doctors are seeing very little in terms of other viruses at the moment.

“The positivity rate in the community is approaching 25%. If you have these symptoms, it is unlikely to be anything else other than Covid at this point in time.

“If you’re waiting for a test, if you’ve been referred by your GP or waiting for the result of a test, you must self-isolate,” he said.

Anyone?

5 things we learned from this evening’s NPHET briefing (RTÉ)

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Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly

This afternoon.

After you.

No, I Insist.

Etc.

Daily Covid-19 case rate heading for 6,000, says HSE chief (RTÉ)

Earlier: Windows Of The Soul

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Gulp.

Last night.

Dublin-based photographer Ruth Medjber (of the lockdown windows project) declares herself ‘infectious’.

Too extreme?

Or not extreme enough.

We may never know.

Previously: I Threw A Brick Through A Window

Alternatively…

Fight!

Minister of Agriculture Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue was spotted Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Anne Street, Dublin 2

This morning.

Via Independent.ie:

A spokesman for Mr McConalogue said he had followed all public health guidelines after his return from Brussels where he was on Government business last week.

The Donegal TD was spotted on South Anne Street, just off Grafton Street, Dublin, about lunchtime on Tuesday in the queue at Sheridans Cheesemongers…

Asked about the appropriateness of the minister shopping in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon, the spokesman said: “He followed the rules, he followed the guidelines, he was doing his confirmatory test a few days later and he was not required to restrict his movements in that time.

“There is no impropriety here and he was wearing a mask at all times yesterday [Tuesday].”

Minister who tested positive for Covid after shopping trip ‘followed all rules’ (RTÉ)

Meanwhile…

Yesterday: Lurgy!

 

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE at a press briefing today

This afternoon.

Dr Henry said the HSE had seen an extraordinary growth of infection in the past week, beyond what even the more extreme versions of modelling would have predicted.

Dr Henry said it had not seen this level of concern since the beginning of the pandemic. The five-day rolling average was now 714, up around 100% since last week.

….If the current growth rate continued on its current trajectory, he said there would be 1,000 cases a day by the end of this month and by the end of the first week in January it could be 1,500 cases a day.

But don’t be fearful.

Or stressed.

FIGHT!

Transmission levels of Covid-19 ‘very serious and dangerous’ – HSE

Earlier: Strainuinely

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Meanwhile…

Um.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has tested positive for Covid-19

This afternoon.

The minister’s spokesperson said that a test carried out yesterday returned positive today and the minister is self-isolating at home.

A statement from Government earlier said all Cabinet ministers are restricting their movements. It said that in line with public health advice, all ministers are awaiting a Covid test and result.

Earlier…

33rd Dáil cabinet members with President Higgins

This afternoon.

Via The Irish Times:

A member of Cabinet has tested positive for Covid-19, the Government has announced.

In line with public health advice, all Ministers are now restricting their movements while awaiting a Covid test and result.

More as we get it.

Cabinet member tests positive for Covid-19 promoting Ministers to restrict movements (Irish Times)

RollingNews

Last night.

RTÉ’s Prime Time.

Hardcore fear/concern porn highlighting the new ‘mutant’ covid strain and featuring shameless rona restriction-breaching pair (see top) Miriam O’Callaghan and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.

Fight!

Earlier: Go To Your Room

This afternoon.

Earlier…

This afternoon.

Earlier…

From top: Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe; Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly arriving at Dublin Castle this morning

This morning.

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2

Via RTÉ News:

The Cabinet has agreed that people can travel beyond their county until the end of St Stephen’s Day, 26 December, RTÉ News understands.

The changes will allow people after 26 December to stay where they are at that point and travel back to their own home later. However, there will be no new inter-county travel allowed after that date..

From 1 January no household mixing will be allowed except for compassionate reasons.

No new inter-county travel after 26 Dec, Cabinet agrees (RTÉ)

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