Tag Archives: coronavirus

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe (right) and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath at the Convention Centre, Dublin on Tuesday

TDs have been given a “severe rebuke” for failing to comply with Covid-19 guidelines and rules and, in some instances, abusing compliance staff in Leinster House and the Convention Centre.

The official specifically cited a picture published in Wednesday’s newspapers of Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath ascending the Convention Centre escalator ahead of their Budget day speeches without wearing face coverings.

A private meeting of the Dáil’s business committee heard what was described as a “damning” briefing from an Oireachtas’s director of compliance on Thursday on the poor level of adherence to rules like social distancing and wearing masks in parliament.

TDs given ‘severe rebuke’ over failing to comply with Covid rules (Independent.ie)

Meanwhile…

President of the High Court Justice Mary irvine

Last night.

In a strongly worded letter, Ms Justice Mary Irvine says she has received several complaints about lawyers not adhering to guidelines.

…Justice Irvine has taken “odd as it may sound” to walking the corridors of the Four Courts each day this week to see for herself what is happening.

“Regrettably, on almost every occasion I have come across pockets of practitioners talking/consulting in very close proximity to each other. I would even go so far as to say that there are more practitioners offending than complying with their social distancing obligations,” the judge said.

Lawyers failing to social distance get ‘public scandal’ warning from senior judge (Independent.ie)

RollingNews

Above from left: Paul Reid, CEO, HSE; Anne O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer, HSE; and Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE.

This afternoon.

Steevens’  Lane, Dublin 8.

The media briefing for the weekly HSE operational update on the response to Covid-19.

Via RTÉ

Paul Reid, HSE CEO, said 238 people are in hospital with Covid-19, an increase of 24 on last night.

The number of people in intensive care units has fallen slightly to 29.

He said of the 8,500 people who have contracted Covid-19 between 29th September and 12th October, 245 people have been admitted to hospital, and 22 admitted to ICU.

Mr Reid said 25% of these hospitalisations have been in people under 35, 27% have been aged 35-64 and 47% are in the 65 and over category.

He said nine people aged 35-64 have been admitted to ICU in this time period and 13 have been aged 65 and over.

HSE sees ‘concerning growth’ in hospitalisations (RTÉ)

Earlier: Scales Fall

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Still.

Beats the German version, in fairness.

Former Fianna Fáil Minister and family GP Dr Jim McDaid

Screech.

“I fully agree that we must pursue the current advice as given in September 2020 but based on all of the figures currently available, it is demonstrated clearly that despite large numbers of people contracting Covid-19, it is seen that the virus does not have a virulent an impact that it had in Phase 1….

…We have quite a large practice in Donegal but despite the figures a few days ago, we had only one person in hospital at the height of those figures and our advice and suggested treatment as doctors to our patients was to isolate yourselves, drink plenty of fluids and make sure you buy a box of paracetamol on the way home.”

One suggestion I put forward for discussion is that the proposed further lockdowns exclude younger people. People under 40, perhaps people under 50, who can prove that they are under a certain age and have no chronic illnesses.

“I have been informed by my patients, especially the elderly, that they are watching four to six versions of the news on a daily basis. They have become addicted but they are not being given all the facts. They are scared. They deserve better.”

Part an open letter to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin from former Fianna Fáil Minister Dr Jim McDaid, a family GP in Letterkenny, County Donegal.

Come in.

We’ve been expecting you.

Country on verge of a mental health crisis – Dr McDaid (Donegal News)

RollingNews

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney

This morning.

Further to last night’s cabinet decision to order nationwide ban on household visits and move three border counties to Level 4 restrictions amid warning that things won’t return to normal until a vaccine is found.

…via RTÉ:

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said there needs to be collective action in terms of adhering to the new regulations “to turn this around”.

Mr Coveney described the “enormous numbers” in Northern Ireland is very worrying, and said that while there is a lot of cooperation between the two jurisdictions, the Government is anxious to do more and have a collective approach both North and South.

….Minister Coveney said there are a number of things happening, including discussions to trace cases across the border and the use of a Covid app that works in both jurisdictions.

He said the NI Executive gets its scientific advice from a different source to NPHET and there is not always consistency, but both governments are taking action to try and reduce the infections.

Meanwhile…

Mr Coveney also said he had worries for the GAA ahead of the resumption of inter-county action this weekend.

Collective action needed to ‘turn this around’ – Coveney (RTÉ)

RollingNews

A ‘Visit Berlin’ ad, with the message: ‘A finger wag for all those without a mask.’

Gülpen.

Der mittelfinger und frau maskerschmitt arshlocken!

We know how this ends.

Berlin gives middle finger to anti-maskers in tourism agency ad (The Guardian)

This afternoon.

Department of Health, Dublin 2.

Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly today briefing media on the provisions of Budget 2021 pertaining to his department.

Responding to the Irish Mirror’s question about whether border counties could move to level four after this evening’s Cabinet meeting – Stephen Donnelly said the following;

“I don’t want to preempt anything regarding levels.”

“I am in favour of keeping schools open.”

“Information I’m being given are schools are safe.”

“Moves to any level are hugely costly.”

LIVE Covid-19 Ireland today as Minister Stephen Donnelly updates on latest situation (Irish Mirror)

Earlier: Dead Loss

RollingNews

This morning.

Pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland will close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries, while schools will shut for two weeks in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, First Minister Arlene Foster (top)said.

In a statement at a special sitting of the Assembly this morning, Ms Foster said the situation needs to be urgently addressed as numbers continue to rise and hospitalisations are on the increase.

The closure will affect the entire hospitality sector, with the exception of takeaway and delivery services, and double the length of the mid-term break for schools.

Schools, pubs to shut as NI increases restrictions (RTÉ)

Dr Vincent Carroll joins a small but growing group of Irish medical dissenters.

He must be destroyed.

Previously: It’s a Small Club

Meanwhile…

GB Declaration?

Tedros?

Meanwhile…