EMA says “no evidence” the vaccine will not work against the new variant of the Covid virus.
— Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) December 21, 2020
‘No evidence it won’t work’.
A double-negative positive.
EMA recommends first COVID-19 vaccine for authorisation in the EU (EMA)
The ban is in response to the identification of a new strain of #Covid19 in the south-east of England, according to the Irish Government statement. The rules & guidelines in relation to COVID-19 & travel are set by the State.
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) December 21, 2020
This morning.
Dublin Airport.
Christmas Day at the Forty Foot, Sandycove, County Dublin in 2018
Shrivel your baubles elsewhere.
This afternoon.
People are being asked to forego the annual Christmas Day swim at the 40 Foot in Sandycove due to concerns over large groups of people gathering for the annual tradition.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, gardaí, and the Health Service Executive issued the appeal for people to refrain from visiting bathing areas, especially the 40 Foot in Sandycove and at Seapoint this year over the potential risk of spreading Covid-19 at these public gatherings…
Better safe than salty.
Appeal for people to forego Christmas swims at 40 Foot (RTÉ)
Earlier: The Virus Will Steal Your Pint
This morning.
Cork city.
Case of the trots.
Thanks Ian Dempsey (a differnt one)
Chief Medical Officer Dept Of Health Dr Tony Holohan
Crazy for the hooch.
It can’t help itself.
This morning.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said:
“Irrespective of the setting, but particularly when that setting is an indoor setting, particular in places where ventilation is poor, particularly where we have use of alcohol – and let’s be honest here, we have a challenge in this country, it is really difficult for us all to maintain public health guidance when it’s mixed in with the use of alcohol.
“But, all of those factors come together to create risks that this virus loves.
“The virus loves indoor settings, it loves close contact between people, and it loves alcohol. And if we give it the opportunity it will transmit very very quickly and that’s what we are seeing.”
Hic.
Country cannot cope with current social contact levels – Holohan (RTÉ)
This Christmas…
…are you rona ready?
Via The Irish Times:
What should people do when they arrive at your home?
By now, you’ll realise that there should be no kissing, hugging or shaking hands when people arrive at your home – even on Christmas Day – because Covid-19 spreads most easily in respiratory droplets that remain on your face or hands. Find ways to greet people gracefully and sincerely without these traditional greetings. For example, you could bow slightly while maintaining eye contact or you could spread your arms wider to simulate a hug.
Where should people sit for Christmas dinner?
Public health experts have clearly stated that members of each household should sit together when visiting family and friends over Christmas. While this might seem a bit crazy – given that you’re there to socialise with other people – you could find ways to seat people in so-called social bubbles by leaving a table setting between each group.
How to safely host family and friends in your home during Christmas (Sylva Thompson, Irish Times)
Graphic: UCC
Mother – We Will Dance Again
Buzz O’Neill Maxwell writes:
Our lovely pals at Mother [old school club night located at Lost Lane, Dublin. for disco loving queer folk and their friends] made this… there is something in my eye ( not the vaccine :)
Words: Cormac Cashman; music: Daithí; videographer: Joe McGovern and narration by Shaun Dunne.
Mother merch here
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford
Wales will move into Tier 4 restrictions on Christmas Eve. This is just cruel now.https://t.co/59c2uS3gG2
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) December 16, 2020
Utterly Daffyt.
Coronavirus control plan: alert levels in Wales (WalesGov)
Covid: Boxing Day sales off in Wales ahead of lockdown on 28 December (BBC)
Getty
Dr. Gabriel Scally
Sure why not.
This morning.
Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has said that the Irish and UK governments should ask families to postpone family gatherings this Christmas to the summer solstice in June.
Via RTÉ News:
As an incentive for people to keep their distance from families over the coming holiday period, he said two extra bank holidays should be offered in June 2021.
By then, he said, the vaccine rollout will have helped enormously.
Dr Scally warned that you cannot play catch up with a virus when case numbers rise.
He said that it was no good implementing restrictions when numbers have increased and said that sensible restrictions should be in place at all times.
Public health expert wants Christmas gatherings delayed (RTÉ)
Last night.
The Coombe, Dublin.
A candle lit Vigil highlighting covid restrictions on partners of pregnant women accessing maternity hospitals .
Via Irish Times:
The Uplift campaigning group, which organised the event, said a petition to back a more widespread loosening of restrictions had attracted more than 50,000 signatures.
Last week the HSE partially acknowledged the mounting concerns by reversing a ban on partners attending 20 week scans, but advocates say it needs to go further.
Uplift director Siobhan O’Donoghue said while they supported public health guidance there was evidence of “rising” trauma levels among expectant mothers attending services alone.
“There is a collective push now by people who are directly affected to make sure maternity services are inclusive of partners,” she said, stressing a belief that greater access could be safe.
Rally held at maternity hospital over partner visiting restrictions (irish Times)
