sluggerotoole--2020-05-17--What’s your lockdown luxury?

What’s your lockdown luxury?

Is it having a lie in , eating a packet of biscuits with your cuppa or finally watching that box set you ’ ve been promising yourself ?
Maybe you ’ re doing a spot of online shopping .
Who hasn ’ t ordered something online only for it to turn up not quite as expected , or indeed how it was described .
I recently ordered a Slanket for my daughter .
( A Slanket-a blanket with sleeves ! )
I got it on eBay so I shouldn ’ t have been surprised to open it and find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even try .
I complained to the seller who offered me a refund if I return it , but after weighing up the faff factor of having to wrap it up and somehow get it to the Post Office , it ’ s staying with us as I can ’ t be bothered .
Plus my daughter likes it and is very happy with it .
It ’ s two-tone and is surprisingly cosy .
The seller maintains that it ’ s the genuine article .
If that fleecy blanket is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queen of Sheba .
I know more people doing their grocery shopping online due to the shortage of delivery slots .
I ’ ve been getting my groceries online for a few years now , occasionally I exclaim incredulously , “ I ordered THAT ?
” as I discover an item that was huge/tiny , or multiples of the same item .
And yes I always had ordered it .
I have an acquired brain injury from Lyme disease and I can ’ t always understand information and make decisions .
If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s easy to fix , but it ’ s still very annoying .
In the beginning I ’ d feel deflated with shame and refuse the kind offer of Mr Tesco to take it back and give me a refund .
I ’ ve since got over myself and know now that a return/refund is perfectly reasonable , but my main problem now that I don ’ t throughly check the delivery as I ’ m unpacking the crates .
Does anyone ?
I assume that everyone is like me and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important , having a chat with Mr Tesco .
I don ’ t envy the pickers in the shops , going around the store at an ungodly hour , carefully selecting our groceries and mostly having to source an alternative if our first choice is out of stock .
Some of them have shown great leaps of faith and imagination , particularly with the more niche items .
Only experienced online grocery shoppers can truly feel the thrill of a delivery with NO SUBSITUTES !
Before lockdown Mr Tesco ( other stores are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kitchen and even help me unload the groceries onto the table .
I have a gammy arm and I appreciate all the help I can get .
Due to late diagnosed Lyme disease I ’ ve experienced numerous stroke-type episodes and have weakness in my right arm and leg .
This has brought me to coin the phrase , “ the daily drop ” .
Even though it doesn ’ t happen every day , it ’ s a common occurrence for my right hand and arm to act in an inexplicable way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday I managed to coup a large tub of yogurt all over the fridge , fridge door and floor .
I am steadily making my way through the plates , cups and glasses .
For replacements I ’ ve found a great charity shop that doesn ’ t smell of mould and no , I ’ m not telling you where it is .
I feel like camping outside it until it opens again .
I have recently splashed out though , necessity has driven me to buy something flash .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mini has been a way of keeping me connected with the outside world , the news , views , reading , radio , tv , social media , emails…in fact all aspects of my life are there .
My old one was too small and heavy .
It should perhaps come as no surprise that my own lockdown luxury is a new iPad .
Yep , I ’ m shameless in my shamelessness .
Fold your arms under your pretend/real bosom and be judgmentally horrified at a single-parent -disabled-mother-of-two-on-benefits-getting-a-new iPad .
I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An iPad is a lifeline for me but I needed a new bigger screen version due to my poor eyesight ( astigmatisms plus auto-immune disease ) which probably isn ’ t helped by my age .
I ’ m 50 and I ’ m always reaching for the top of my head for my reading glasses .
FaceTimes are easier now as it ’ s bigger yet lighter than my old one and I can have a good look at ye .
And myself .
*Quickly fixes hair* .
Also I got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile phone provider I had credit that I used towards this iPad .
Yes , this one I ’ m typing to you on .
I ’ m a haggler and always look for a good deal ; I ’ m the one who ’ s embarrassing to stand beside in a shop while I patiently wear the shop assistant down .
I use a particular formula which remains a closely guarded secret .
Fellow hagglers will be familiar with this technique .
I could share it with you but it ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop assistant put her head in her hands and admitted defeat .
It was glorious !
Not only did I get a big discount I managed to wangle free stuff thrown in too .
What a feeling !
I don ’ t do it just for fun , I don ’ t have much disposable income .
Any purchase outside of the list of essentials is a big deal .
Now let me take you back to the Nokia days .
Those halcyon days where you bought a mobile phone and it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact the very notion that a you would need a cover to protect a pricey new device would have been scoffed at .
My own shiny new device is currently without a cover and I ’ m very nervous about handling it .
( See daily drop ) I did order one , but made a terrible mistake and I feel like kicking my own arse .
I thought it was best to buy from the website of the maker of said iPad as I was confident that it would fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m still slightly burned from the Slanket fiasco .
Imagine then my excitement at receiving a shiny new “ iPad Smart Cover ” .
My excitement was short lived as when I opened up the box I saw this .
No , your eyes do not deceive you .
It ’ s half a cover .
A front cover .
Not very bloody smart .
There are so many aspects to this that enrage me .
The price ( I had a £50 gift token to use so I spent the princely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s my own fault for not buying off Amazon or eBay but in all seriousness , who would sell half a cover ?
Why would it be a good idea ?
I ’ d like to have a few words with the hipster who designed this .
I can picture them walking around sunny California in their designer gear with their half naked iPads under their arms , confident in the knowledge that they won ’ t drop or scratch them .
Or maybe they can afford to buy the arse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of course !
In the manner of the great Irish philosopher Ross O ’ Carroll-Kelly , that designer can FRO .
I ’ m getting very steamed up about something that can be easily resolved and as I type a return has been arranged and I ’ m waiting for the UPS man to collect the package from my front door .
My blood is boiling because this is typical of the struggle of being restricted to buying online , making mistakes due to being impaired and then having extra hassle that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy for .
I feel frustrated as every day is a struggle , to a greater or lesser degree .
Every day I try to maintain as much normality as possible even though my life is far from how I imagined it to be .
I never even planned on retiring as I was teaching yoga and I had high hopes of enjoying doing that very rewarding and sociable job for years to come .
You can imagine the shock to my system when I became suddenly ill and all of those plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the nearest window .
I ’ m not sure I can accurately impart how I feel .
I need G who , as well as being my most excellent friend , is a living thesaurus for me at times like this .
Once my fury has died down I ’ m sure I ’ ll accept this , indeed I might be able to laugh about it and put it down to experience .
Yet another aspect of my new life , along with breaking and spilling lots of things , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the days spent suffering in bed .
The incredible shrinking of my circle of friends , the unbearable pain and fatigue , the various walking sticks and crutches placed strategically around my home .
The wonder that is the NHS , sitting down with that first cup of coffee to see what ’ s on the tv .
Enjoying the Johhny Logan/Dickie Rock feud ( no mention of Joe Dolan , feckers ) .
The cat hanging out with me because she loves company .
Enjoying wrapping myself up in my actual Slanket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my afternoon sleep for the infirm , messaging my friends in Chicago , London , Glasgow , or even just down the road .
The blue sky and view of St John ’ s point in the distance , noticing the arrival of the Swallows .
Looking out at my garden that ’ s been transformed by my beloved , just so that I can look out at something that lifts my spirits .
Getting a delivery of groceries with no subs .
“ iPad stand ” by Veronica Belmont is licensed @ @ @

Is it having a lie in, eating a packet of biscuits with your cuppa or finally watching that box set you’ve been promising yourself? Maybe you’re doing a spot of online shopping. Who hasn’t ordered something online only for it to turn up not quite as expected, or indeed how it was described. I recently ordered a Slanket for my daughter. (A Slanket-a blanket with sleeves!) I got it on eBay so I shouldn’t have been surprised to open it and find a photocopied label. I mean they didn’t even try. I complained to the seller who offered me a refund if I return it, but after weighing up the faff factor of having to wrap it up and somehow get it to the Post Office, it’s staying with us as I can’t be bothered. Plus my daughter likes it and is very happy with it. It’s two-tone and is surprisingly cosy. The seller maintains that it’s the genuine article. If that fleecy blanket is a Slanket then I’m the Queen of Sheba.
I know more people doing their grocery shopping online due to the shortage of delivery slots. I’ve been getting my groceries online for a few years now, occasionally I exclaim incredulously, “I ordered THAT?”as I discover an item that was huge/tiny, or multiples of the same item. And yes I always had ordered it. I have an acquired brain injury from Lyme disease and I can’t always understand information and make decisions. If it’s just a mistake on groceries it’s easy to fix, but it’s still very annoying. In the beginning I’d feel deflated with shame and refuse the kind offer of Mr Tesco to take it back and give me a refund. I’ve since got over myself and know now that a return/refund is perfectly reasonable, but my main problem now that I don’t throughly check the delivery as I’m unpacking the crates. Does anyone? I assume that everyone is like me and is far too busy doing something more important, having a chat with Mr Tesco. I don’t envy the pickers in the shops, going around the store at an ungodly hour, carefully selecting our groceries and mostly having to source an alternative if our first choice is out of stock. Some of them have shown great leaps of faith and imagination, particularly with the more niche items. Only experienced online grocery shoppers can truly feel the thrill of a delivery with NO SUBSITUTES!
Before lockdown Mr Tesco (other stores are available) used to come into the kitchen and even help me unload the groceries onto the table. I have a gammy arm and I appreciate all the help I can get. Due to late diagnosed Lyme disease I’ve experienced numerous stroke-type episodes and have weakness in my right arm and leg. This has brought me to coin the phrase, “the daily drop”. Even though it doesn’t happen every day, it’s a common occurrence for my right hand and arm to act in an inexplicable way and drop or knock something over. Yesterday I managed to coup a large tub of yogurt all over the fridge, fridge door and floor. I am steadily making my way through the plates, cups and glasses. For replacements I’ve found a great charity shop that doesn’t smell of mould and no, I’m not telling you where it is. I feel like camping outside it until it opens again.
I have recently splashed out though, necessity has driven me to buy something flash. In the last 5 years of illness my iPad mini has been a way of keeping me connected with the outside world, the news, views, reading, radio, tv, social media, emails…in fact all aspects of my life are there. My old one was too small and heavy. It should perhaps come as no surprise that my own lockdown luxury is a new iPad. Yep, I’m shameless in my shamelessness. Fold your arms under your pretend/real bosom and be judgmentally horrified at a single-parent -disabled-mother-of-two-on-benefits-getting-a-new iPad. I can just see the headlines The Daily Mail. An iPad is a lifeline for me but I needed a new bigger screen version due to my poor eyesight (astigmatisms plus auto-immune disease) which probably isn’t helped by my age. I’m 50 and I’m always reaching for the top of my head for my reading glasses.
FaceTimes are easier now as it’s bigger yet lighter than my old one and I can have a good look at ye. And myself. *Quickly fixes hair*. Also I got a deal on it, through my mobile phone provider I had credit that I used towards this iPad. Yes, this one I’m typing to you on. I’m a haggler and always look for a good deal; I’m the one who’s embarrassing to stand beside in a shop while I patiently wear the shop assistant down. I use a particular formula which remains a closely guarded secret. Fellow hagglers will be familiar with this technique. I could share it with you but it’ll cost ye. The last time the shop assistant put her head in her hands and admitted defeat. It was glorious! Not only did I get a big discount I managed to wangle free stuff thrown in too. What a feeling! I don’t do it just for fun, I don’t have much disposable income. Any purchase outside of the list of essentials is a big deal.
Now let me take you back to the Nokia days. Those halcyon days where you bought a mobile phone and it was sturdy enough not to need a cover. In fact the very notion that a you would need a cover to protect a pricey new device would have been scoffed at. My own shiny new device is currently without a cover and I’m very nervous about handling it. (See daily drop) I did order one, but made a terrible mistake and I feel like kicking my own arse. I thought it was best to buy from the website of the maker of said iPad as I was confident that it would fit and be of great quality. I’m still slightly burned from the Slanket fiasco. Imagine then my excitement at receiving a shiny new “iPad Smart Cover”. My excitement was short lived as when I opened up the box I saw this. No, your eyes do not deceive you. It’s half a cover. A front cover. Not very bloody smart.
There are so many aspects to this that enrage me. The price (I had a £50 gift token to use so I spent the princely sum of £5). I know it’s my own fault for not buying off Amazon or eBay but in all seriousness, who would sell half a cover? Why would it be a good idea?
I’d like to have a few words with the hipster who designed this. I can picture them walking around sunny California in their designer gear with their half naked iPads under their arms, confident in the knowledge that they won’t drop or scratch them. Or maybe they can afford to buy the arse of the cover which is sold separately, of course! In the manner of the great Irish philosopher Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, that designer can FRO.
I’m getting very steamed up about something that can be easily resolved and as I type a return has been arranged and I’m waiting for the UPS man to collect the package from my front door. My blood is boiling because this is typical of the struggle of being restricted to buying online, making mistakes due to being impaired and then having extra hassle that I don’t have the surplus energy for. I feel frustrated as every day is a struggle, to a greater or lesser degree. Every day I try to maintain as much normality as possible even though my life is far from how I imagined it to be. I never even planned on retiring as I was teaching yoga and I had high hopes of enjoying doing that very rewarding and sociable job for years to come. You can imagine the shock to my system when I became suddenly ill and all of those plans came screeching to a halt and jumped out the nearest window. I’m not sure I can accurately impart how I feel. I need G who, as well as being my most excellent friend, is a living thesaurus for me at times like this.
Once my fury has died down I’m sure I’ll accept this, indeed I might be able to laugh about it and put it down to experience. Yet another aspect of my new life, along with breaking and spilling lots of things, the frequent inability to speak and move, the days spent suffering in bed. The incredible shrinking of my circle of friends, the unbearable pain and fatigue, the various walking sticks and crutches placed strategically around my home.
The wonder that is the NHS, sitting down with that first cup of coffee to see what’s on the tv. Enjoying the Johhny Logan/Dickie Rock feud (no mention of Joe Dolan, feckers). The cat hanging out with me because she loves company. Enjoying wrapping myself up in my actual Slanket ( a blanket with sleeves!) for my afternoon sleep for the infirm, messaging my friends in Chicago, London, Glasgow, or even just down the road. The blue sky and view of St John’s point in the distance, noticing the arrival of the Swallows. Looking out at my garden that’s been transformed by my beloved, just so that I can look out at something that lifts my spirits.
Getting a delivery of groceries with no subs.
“iPad stand” by Veronica Belmont is licensed under CC BY


sluggerotoole--2020-05-17--The Churches and the Lockdown Legacy

The Churches and the Lockdown Legacy

I am part of a conversation on ‘ The Churches and the Lockdown Legacy ’ on today ’ s Sunday Sequence ( BBC Radio Ulster ) , also featuring Passionist priest and commentator Fr Brian D ’ Arcy and Rev Norman Hamilton , a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church .
Tune in at 9 a.m. , or listen back here .
The discussion is wide-ranging and includes reflection on the possibility of the permanent closure of some churches when the Covid-19 pandemic is over , how churches have moved on-line during the pandemic , and what the practice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recedes .
During the Radio Ulster conversation , I briefly mention some ongoing research on religion and the pandemic .
The compressed nature of a radio conversation means that I didn ’ t delve deeply into the emerging results and insights .
I ’ ll do that now .
Survey of Clergy , Ministers and Faith Leaders on the island of Ireland I am currently running an online survey of clergy/ministers/faith leaders on the island of Ireland , which explores questions about faith online , grieving and coping , faith and the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The survey has been distributed to the largest Christian denominations through collaboration with the Irish Council of Churches/Irish Inter-Church Meeting ; and sent directly to ministers of some other smaller denominations ( i.e .
those not affiliated with ecumenical bodies ) using publicly available email addresses .
This survey closes on 22 May and I will immediately begin analysing the results .
( If any serving clergy reading this have not received an email and would like to complete the survey , please contact me on [ email protected ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us some idea of how faith is being practised in Ireland and the UK during the pandemic .
Both surveys are weighted to be nationally representative .
In Ireland , the Iona Institute commissioned questions on the Amarach omnibus survey , which was conducted during the first two weeks of April .
It found that 27 % of people have watched or listened to a religious service online , on television or on the radio during the lockdown .
This number is around what I would expect , because it is roughly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the UK , Tearfund commissioned a survey , which was carried out by Savanta ComRes between 24 and 27 April .
It found that 24 % of UK adults had watched or listened to a religious service during the lockdown .
This number is larger that I would have expected , given that pre-lockdown church attendance in the UK ( excluding Northern Ireland ) is less than 10 % in any given week .
The UK is one of the few countries in the world where more than half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion ’ .
Tearfund announced the results of the survey with the headline , ‘ Many Brits Look to Faith During Lockdown ’ .
Of course , tuning in to a religious service once during an extended period of lock down is a pretty low bar for measuring religious practice .
But at the very least , it signals that significant minorities of people in Ireland and the UK are interested enough to click a mouse or turn a dial to access religious services .
The Tearfund survey also found that 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the lockdown have never gone to church .
Yes , 5 % may sound small but when you consider that is one in 20 British adults it is still more than I would have expected .
The surveys also indicated that sizeable minorities of people are turning to prayer during the pandemic .
In Ireland , 18 % of people ( 15 % of men and 22 % of women ) said they were praying ‘ more than usual ’ during the lockdown .
When the 43 % of the population who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pray ’ are removed from the overall figures , 32 % of people who pray are praying ‘ more than usual ’ ( 27 % of men and 38 % of women ) .
The Tearfund UK questions were different and more extensive .
The survey found that 44 % of the population pray .
Unsurprisingly , Northern Ireland was the most devout region in this regard , at 65 % , followed by England ( 44 % ) , Wales ( 36 % ) and Scotland ( 35 % ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who did not pray before the lockdown have started to do so .
Northern Ireland again scores the highest here at 8 % .
Intriguingly , the survey shows that 6 % of people who prayed before the lockdown have stopped doing so , with Northern Ireland at 9 % .
It seems those who have started praying are ‘ cancelled out ’ by those who have stopped !
There also are several questions about the efficacy of prayer , with 51 % of those who pray saying they ’ ve witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who pray agreeing that prayer changes the world .
For me , perhaps the most interesting aspect of both surveys were findings about religious practice among young people .
We know from previous surveys , conducted over a number of years , that in Ireland and the UK people under 35 are the least likely to practise religion .
They also are the most likely to identify as having ‘ no religion ’ .
But in the Iona Institute survey , 24 % of those aged 18 to 24 said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this excluded people in that age bracket who do not pray at all , 52 % were praying more than usual .
These figures are markedly higher than the 18 % of the overall population who are praying more than usual ( 32 % of those who pray ) .
The Iona Institute described this as an ‘ unexpected ’ finding .
At the same time , this possible hint at youth devotion sits alongside the 54 % of people in that age group who don ’ t pray at all .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people do not pray at all .
In parallel , in the UK people aged 18-34 are more likely to have watched or listened to religious services since the lockdown : the figure is 34 % for this age bracket compared to 24 % for the overall population and 19 % of people older than 55 .
Those aged 18-34 were also more likely to pray at least once a month ( 30 % ) than adults older than 55 ( 25 % ) .
I was not quite as surprised by these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because my 2018 survey on Pope Francis ’ visit to Ireland also indicated that young people were more likely than other age groups to be open to ‘ the Francis Effect ’ : a more favourable view of the Catholic Church since Francis became Pope .
My survey , which also was part of a nationally-representative Amarach omnibus poll , found that a sizeable minority of the general population ( 22 percent ) , practising Catholics ( 39 percent ) , and 18-24-year-olds ( 27 percent ) have a more favourable view of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also found that there have been changes in religious practices among a minority , in a direction that could be described as more devotional , especially among practising Catholics and people under 35 .
People under 35 were more likely to report that their religious practices had changed or would change as a result of Francis becoming Pope or his visit .
The most popular change was praying more often ( 15 percent of 25-34-year-olds and 12 percent of 18-24-year-olds ) .
People in these age brackets also anticipated going to religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those under 35 versus 5 percent overall ) and going to confession more often ( 10 percent of 18-24-year-olds and 6 percent of 25-34-year-olds versus 3 percent overall ) .
While the overwhelming evidence is still that young people in Ireland and the UK are the least likely to identify with or practise religion , the measures of increased devotion revealed in these surveys indicate faith is not entirely dead ( and in fact may be alive in ways we don ’ t yet realise ) among the younger generation .
Have Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churchgoer living on this island you have the chance to take part in a survey on ‘ Coronavirus , Church and You ’ , which is currently being conducted by the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at Dublin City University .
It is conducted in parallel with a survey in the UK by York St John University , and invites you to ‘ record your experience of the pandemic , the ministry you have given or received , and what you think will happen to churches in a post-pandemic world.
’ Writing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Bullivant of St Mary ’ s University in London also ponders the fate of churches after the lockdown .
Though operating primarily from a British Catholic perspective , he raises issues that are pertinent on this island .
Bullivant also has penned a free e-book , Catholicism in the Time of Coronavirus .
It is written in a popular , even devotional , style and includes fascinating comparisons with the Church ’ s responses to past pandemics .
It also features serious reflection on the future of the Church .
Image : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 pandemic .
Photo sourced on Clonard ’ s Twitter .

I am part of a conversation on ‘The Churches and the Lockdown Legacy’ on today’s Sunday Sequence (BBC Radio Ulster), also featuring Passionist priest and commentator Fr Brian D’Arcy and Rev Norman Hamilton, a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church. Tune in at 9 a.m., or listen back here.
The discussion is wide-ranging and includes reflection on the possibility of the permanent closure of some churches when the Covid-19 pandemic is over, how churches have moved on-line during the pandemic, and what the practice of Christianity might look like as the pandemic recedes.
During the Radio Ulster conversation, I briefly mention some ongoing research on religion and the pandemic. The compressed nature of a radio conversation means that I didn’t delve deeply into the emerging results and insights. I’ll do that now.
Survey of Clergy, Ministers and Faith Leaders on the island of Ireland
I am currently running an online survey of clergy/ministers/faith leaders on the island of Ireland, which explores questions about faith online, grieving and coping, faith and the wider community, and stress and ministry during the pandemic.
The survey has been distributed to the largest Christian denominations through collaboration with the Irish Council of Churches/Irish Inter-Church Meeting; and sent directly to ministers of some other smaller denominations (i.e. those not affiliated with ecumenical bodies) using publicly available email addresses. This survey closes on 22 May and I will immediately begin analysing the results. (If any serving clergy reading this have not received an email and would like to complete the survey, please contact me on [email protected]).
Religious Practice during the Pandemic
Two recent surveys have given us some idea of how faith is being practised in Ireland and the UK during the pandemic. Both surveys are weighted to be nationally representative.
In Ireland, the Iona Institute commissioned questions on the Amarach omnibus survey, which was conducted during the first two weeks of April. It found that 27% of people have watched or listened to a religious service online, on television or on the radio during the lockdown. This number is around what I would expect, because it is roughly in line with mass/church attendance during pre-lockdown times.
In the UK, Tearfund commissioned a survey, which was carried out by Savanta ComRes between 24 and 27 April. It found that 24% of UK adults had watched or listened to a religious service during the lockdown.
This number is larger that I would have expected, given that pre-lockdown church attendance in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) is less than 10% in any given week. The UK is one of the few countries in the world where more than half of the population now identify as having ‘no religion’. Tearfund announced the results of the survey with the headline, ‘Many Brits Look to Faith During Lockdown’.
Of course, tuning in to a religious service once during an extended period of lock down is a pretty low bar for measuring religious practice. But at the very least, it signals that significant minorities of people in Ireland and the UK are interested enough to click a mouse or turn a dial to access religious services. The Tearfund survey also found that 5% of people who have accessed a service since the lockdown have never gone to church. Yes, 5% may sound small but when you consider that is one in 20 British adults it is still more than I would have expected.
Prayer
The surveys also indicated that sizeable minorities of people are turning to prayer during the pandemic.
In Ireland, 18% of people (15% of men and 22% of women) said they were praying ‘more than usual’ during the lockdown. When the 43% of the population who said that they ‘don’t pray’ are removed from the overall figures, 32% of people who pray are praying ‘more than usual’ (27% of men and 38% of women).
The Tearfund UK questions were different and more extensive. The survey found that 44% of the population pray. Unsurprisingly, Northern Ireland was the most devout region in this regard, at 65%, followed by England (44%), Wales (36%) and Scotland (35%). The survey also revealed that 5% of people who did not pray before the lockdown have started to do so. Northern Ireland again scores the highest here at 8%. Intriguingly, the survey shows that 6% of people who prayed before the lockdown have stopped doing so, with Northern Ireland at 9%. It seems those who have started praying are ‘cancelled out’ by those who have stopped! There also are several questions about the efficacy of prayer, with 51% of those who pray saying they’ve witnessed answers to their prayers and 56% of those who pray agreeing that prayer changes the world.
Young People
For me, perhaps the most interesting aspect of both surveys were findings about religious practice among young people. We know from previous surveys, conducted over a number of years, that in Ireland and the UK people under 35 are the least likely to practise religion. They also are the most likely to identify as having ‘no religion’.
But in the Iona Institute survey, 24% of those aged 18 to 24 said they were praying more than usual. When this excluded people in that age bracket who do not pray at all, 52% were praying more than usual. These figures are markedly higher than the 18% of the overall population who are praying more than usual (32% of those who pray). The Iona Institute described this as an ‘unexpected’ finding. At the same time, this possible hint at youth devotion sits alongside the 54% of people in that age group who don’t pray at all. In the overall population, 43% of people do not pray at all.
In parallel, in the UK people aged 18-34 are more likely to have watched or listened to religious services since the lockdown: the figure is 34% for this age bracket compared to 24% for the overall population and 19% of people older than 55. Those aged 18-34 were also more likely to pray at least once a month (30%) than adults older than 55 (25%).
I was not quite as surprised by these results as I might have been, because my 2018 survey on Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland also indicated that young people were more likely than other age groups to be open to ‘the Francis Effect’: a more favourable view of the Catholic Church since Francis became Pope.
My survey, which also was part of a nationally-representative Amarach omnibus poll, found that a sizeable minority of the general population (22 percent), practising Catholics (39 percent), and 18-24-year-olds (27 percent) have a more favourable view of the Church since Francis became Pope. It also found that there have been changes in religious practices among a minority, in a direction that could be described as more devotional, especially among practising Catholics and people under 35. People under 35 were more likely to report that their religious practices had changed or would change as a result of Francis becoming Pope or his visit. The most popular change was praying more often (15 percent of 25-34-year-olds and 12 percent of 18-24-year-olds). People in these age brackets also anticipated going to religious services more often (10 percent of those under 35 versus 5 percent overall) and going to confession more often (10 percent of 18-24-year-olds and 6 percent of 25-34-year-olds versus 3 percent overall).
While the overwhelming evidence is still that young people in Ireland and the UK are the least likely to identify with or practise religion, the measures of increased devotion revealed in these surveys indicate faith is not entirely dead (and in fact may be alive in ways we don’t yet realise) among the younger generation.
Have Your Say
Finally, if you are a churchgoer living on this island you have the chance to take part in a survey on ‘Coronavirus, Church and You’, which is currently being conducted by the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at Dublin City University.
It is conducted in parallel with a survey in the UK by York St John University, and invites you to ‘record your experience of the pandemic, the ministry you have given or received, and what you think will happen to churches in a post-pandemic world.’
Further Reading
Writing this week in The Tablet, Prof Stephen Bullivant of St Mary’s University in London also ponders the fate of churches after the lockdown. Though operating primarily from a British Catholic perspective, he raises issues that are pertinent on this island. Bullivant also has penned a free e-book, Catholicism in the Time of Coronavirus. It is written in a popular, even devotional, style and includes fascinating comparisons with the Church’s responses to past pandemics. It also features serious reflection on the future of the Church.
Image: Clonard Church in Belfast, closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo sourced on Clonard’s Twitter.


sluggerotoole--2020-05-19--Differences over Covid management within the UK shouldn’t be exaggerated but they are provoking a re

Differences over Covid management within the UK shouldn’t be exaggerated but they are provoking a rethink of how the UK is governed

Schadenfreude at the state of the United Kingdom is a familiar default sentiment among republicans who comment in Slugger .
They believe that the handling of Brexit and no Covid could be evidence of terminal decline .
What encourages the republican- minded depresses unionist Cassandras like Alex Kane .
The most eloquent is the Guardian columnist Martin Kettle .
To the surprise of many of those watching , and perhaps even to Johnson himself , it turned out that the coronavirus outbreak has changed the prime minister of the United Kingdom into the prime minister of England .
..when , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal for English people to cross the Scottish or Welsh borders to do what they are now permitted – wrongly , in my view – to do in England a significant political line has been crossed .
The result is a curious and still only tentative UK form of what Lenin once called “ dual power ” .
But it is growing and it is significant… t does not yet add up to a unilateral declaration of independence from Britain .
It may indeed have reached its zenith this week , because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will eventually lift their lockdowns in ways that bring them closer to England ’ s more permissive approach .
Note also that Nicola Sturgeon faces increasing challenges to her authority from other nationalist opponents and that her record in handling the pandemic is far from spotless either .
Nevertheless , Covid-19 is proving to be a wake-up call about serious defects in the UK ’ s constitutional order and its sense of itself that it would be reckless to ignore .
Things could get more confrontational , not less .
The case for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal degrees of local self-government and double sovereignties , becomes ever stronger So warning notes have been sounded .
They do not yet amount to a call for action .
Regional differences over the spread of Covid should properly be reflected in his treatment and in testing and tracing , and should hardly lead to the collapse of the Union .
After all , differences of policy to suit different conditions was what devolution was designed for .
And there are many regional authorities in England like the high profile mayors who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discretion – provided of course they would enjoy the same access to expert advice and have the whole thing funded by HM Treasury .
Nevertheless the witch ’ s brew of the unresolved Covid and Brexit crises have boosted cross party demand for a rethink of how the UK is governed .
Spanning left and right , the main underlying motivation is to save the Union but in a newly acceptable form .
The paradox is that it has taken of a certain degree of English nationalism to do so .
Covid has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice differences of approach for the first time .
They ignored them over Brexit but can hardly ignore them now and they don ’ t like it one little bit .
Now the Empire is striking back .
One of its more interesting forms is what looks like a concerted attack on Nicola Sturgeon for exploiting the coronavirus crisis to further the cause of Scottish secession .
Following the publication of the comparative data of the four nations the broadcaster Iain Dale has tweeted Cybernats furious with me .
1 .
Testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pop .
2 .
Virus-related deaths in Scot care homes x2 ratio of Eng 3 .
Scotland has higher number of coronavirus cases p/ capita than Eng 4 .
Scot drug deaths 3x more than rest of UK Clare Foges in The Times has mounted a full-blown assault Whether criticising the UK government ’ s latest slogan or letting the public in on decisions reached at Cobra meetings before Westminster has cleared its throat , Sturgeon is suspected of playing the political football of coronavirus with a deftness that recalls Sir Kenny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way nationalists sneer at Conservative incompetence in Westminster you would imagine theirs is a glowing record , and that Scotland is a pin-up nation for “ progressives ” everywhere .
Alas for the people of Scotland , it ain ’ t so .
The Scottish education system was once renowned as a social mobility machine ; no longer .
The attainment gap between the least and most deprived children has barely moved during Sturgeon ’ s time in office .
Standards in reading , science and maths have slipped dramatically since the nationalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fallen by 25 points against other OECD countries , the second highest drop in the world .
This is from the Pisa rankings , the only international educational survey that Scotland still takes part in , since the SNP pulled out of two others .
It didn ’ t enjoy the scrutiny for some reason .
In healthcare , the SNP ’ s treatment targets fail spectacularly month after month .
Before this crisis , record numbers were spending more than 12 hours waiting for treatment in Scottish A & Es .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a year for mental health care .
In the last three months of 2019 ( the latest figures ) the target for 95 per cent of those with an urgent cancer referral to be treated within 62 days was missed again .
It has not been met for eight years .
Scotland ’ s drug crisis persists ; drug deaths are three times higher north of the border than in the UK as a whole : a devilish problem for any government , sure , but cutting £15 million from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s political games are a great distraction from these failures , as well as from the questions that hang over the prospect of an independent Scotland : the currency question , the possibility of rejoining the EU question , the question about how sound the foundations of the Scottish economy can be when the price of oil is plummeting .
( You may remember that before the 2014 referendum the SNP based its plans on an average price of over $ 100 a barrel ; at the time of writing Brent Crude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) The SNP will continue to blame Westminster for everything and take responsibility for nothing .
It will continue to play politics and push the prospect of Indyref2 at every conceivable opportunity .
But those of us who wish to avoid the break-up of the United Kingdom have got to be smarter .
“ He said , she said ” bickering about Nicola ’ s latest jibe at Boris only plays their game .
Instead of railing against SNP single-mindedness , unionists should seek to emulate it by relentlessly scrutinising its actions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and putting this clear warning to the waverers among the Scottish people .
If the SNP has failed , disappointed and underwhelmed with the powers it already has , what hope is there for an independent Scotland ?
Others are adopting a more positive approach than attacking Queen Nicola .
Nick Timothy , once chief adviser to Theresa May ( she of the “ precious ” Union ) writes that the Covid crisis has further exposed the flaws in the British unitary state and calls for the radical reform of ” a dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wrongs of different pandemic policies , we are witnessing , in high-definition picture with cinematic soundbar , the chaotic nature of the modern British state .
At almost every level , accountability and responsibility – particularly budgetary responsibility – are misaligned .
As a result we have public services led by officials accountable to nobody , local government that can not govern , mayors with so few powers that their time is spent lobbying ministers , and devolved governments that blame policy failures on England .
He gnaws at the old bone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governs England ?
MPs from Scottish and Welsh constituencies can vote on matters affecting England – like the health system – while English MPs have no say on the same matters in Scotland and Wales….. And the Barnett Formula , the means by which we determine public spending across the UK , is skewed against England.In Scotland , spending per person on services is twenty per cent higher .
The contrast between Germany ’ s experience of the pandemic and ours is striking .
We must move to a fully federal model , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more powers for the four nations .
Within England we need to decentralise more , giving more responsibilities to the metro-mayors and local councils .
We need a greater share of taxes raised at a local level .
And we need public services to be run in line with local needs and by leaders closer to the frontline .
These changes would be nothing short of a revolution .
The concern is now definitely cross party , shared by no less than Keir Starmer , as analysed here by Newton Emerson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ each part of a federal UK to have equal authority , with greatly increased powers guaranteed by a written constitution .
Westminster would no longer hold ultimate sovereignty over everything .
As an example of how this would work , Scotland and Northern Ireland would have vetoed Brexit .
There is little doubt Brexit is a factor in Starmer ’ s thinking .
The survival of the union is his stated priority and it is significant he took his message straight to Scotland , along with a promise of more devolved powers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most equal within the UK – more a case of a zebra and an elephant .
Scottish politics hinges on the debate over whether more devolution will save the union or end it .
Northern Ireland and Wales have been bystanders in this conversation , although their fate depends on it .
Former prime minister Gordon Brown had been preaching regionalism and federalism for years “ to prevent her breakup of the United Kingdom.
” To anoraks this has been familiar territory for a long time Now , after several false starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the main UK parties .
An agonising dilemma lies at the heart of it .
Would one size fits all federalism or something like it strengthen the Union or wreck it altogether ?
Other than as a theoretical solution does anybody anywhere actually want it ?
It has barely registered with the Northern Ireland parties , as one option too many just at the moment .
But as a symptom of concern it may mean that that the threats to the Union are being taken seriously at last .

Schadenfreude at the state of the United Kingdom is a familiar default sentiment among republicans who comment in Slugger. They believe that mishandling of Brexit and now Covid is evidence of terminal decline. The notion is not limited to those predisposed against the UK . It crosses the community. What encourages the republican- minded depresses unionist Cassandras like Alex Kane. The most eloquent is the Guardian columnist Martin Kettle.
To the surprise of many of those watching, and perhaps even to Johnson himself, it turned out that the coronavirus outbreak has changed the prime minister of the United Kingdom into the prime minister of England.
..when, as this week, it became effectively illegal for English people to cross the Scottish or Welsh borders to do what they are now permitted – wrongly, in my view – to do in England a significant political line has been crossed.
The result is a curious and still only tentative UK form of what Lenin once called “dual power”. But it is growing and it is significant… t does not yet add up to a unilateral declaration of independence from Britain. It may indeed have reached its zenith this week, because the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish authorities will eventually lift their lockdowns in ways that bring them closer to England’s more permissive approach. Note also that Nicola Sturgeon faces increasing challenges to her authority from other nationalist opponents and that her record in handling the pandemic is far from spotless either.
Nevertheless, Covid-19 is proving to be a wake-up call about serious defects in the UK’s constitutional order and its sense of itself that it would be reckless to ignore. Things could get more confrontational, not less. The case for a more truly federalised UK, with equal degrees of local self-government and double sovereignties, becomes ever stronger
So warning notes have been sounded . They do not yet amount to a call for action. Regional differences over the spread of Covid should properly be reflected in NHS treatment plans and in contact testing and tracing without collapsing the Union. After all, differences of policy to suit different conditions was what devolution was designed for. And there are many regional authorities in England like the high profile mayors who are envious of the devolved administration’s discretion – provided of course they would enjoy the same access to expert advice and have the whole thing funded by HM Treasury.
Nevertheless the witch’s brew of the unresolved Covid and Brexit crises has boosted cross party demand for a rethink of how the UK is governed . Spanning left and right, the main underlying motivation is to save the Union but in a newly acceptable form. The paradox is that it has taken of a certain degree of English nationalism to do so. Covid has forced the centre right London establishment to notice differences of approach for the first time. They ignored them over Brexit but can hardly ignore them now and they don’t like it one little bit. Now the Empire is striking back. One of its more interesting forms is what looks like a concerted attack on Nicola Sturgeon for exploiting the coronavirus crisis to further the cause of Scottish secession.
Following the publication of the comparative data of the four nations the broadcaster Iain Dale has tweeted
Cybernats furious with me. 1. Testing in Scot is 25% of Eng allowing for pop. 2. Virus-related deaths in Scot care homes x2 ratio of Eng 3. Scotland has higher number of coronavirus cases p/ capita than Eng 4. Scot drug deaths 3x more than rest of UK
Clare Foges in The Times has mounted a full-blown assault
Whether criticising the UK government’s latest slogan or letting the public in on decisions reached at Cobra meetings before Westminster has cleared its throat, Sturgeon is suspected of playing the political football of coronavirus with a deftness that recalls Sir Kenny Dalglish in his heyday….
… The way nationalists sneer at Conservative incompetence in Westminster you would imagine theirs is a glowing record, and that Scotland is a pin-up nation for “progressives” everywhere. Alas for the people of Scotland, it ain’t so.
The Scottish education system was once renowned as a social mobility machine; no longer. The attainment gap between the least and most deprived children has barely moved during Sturgeon’s time in office. Standards in reading, science and maths have slipped dramatically since the nationalists came to power. Performance in science has fallen by 25 points against other OECD countries, the second highest drop in the world. This is from the Pisa rankings, the only international educational survey that Scotland still takes part in, since the SNP pulled out of two others. It didn’t enjoy the scrutiny for some reason.
In healthcare, the SNP’s treatment targets fail spectacularly month after month. Before this crisis, record numbers were spending more than 12 hours waiting for treatment in Scottish A&Es. Hundreds of children have been waiting for more than a year for mental health care. In the last three months of 2019 (the latest figures) the target for 95 per cent of those with an urgent cancer referral to be treated within 62 days was missed again. It has not been met for eight years. Scotland’s drug crisis persists; drug deaths are three times higher north of the border than in the UK as a whole: a devilish problem for any government, sure, but cutting £15 million from the treatment budget seems short-sighted.
The SNP’s political games are a great distraction from these failures, as well as from the questions that hang over the prospect of an independent Scotland: the currency question, the possibility of rejoining the EU question, the question about how sound the foundations of the Scottish economy can be when the price of oil is plummeting. (You may remember that before the 2014 referendum the SNP based its plans on an average price of over $100 a barrel; at the time of writing Brent Crude is around the low $30s.)
The SNP will continue to blame Westminster for everything and take responsibility for nothing. It will continue to play politics and push the prospect of Indyref2 at every conceivable opportunity. But those of us who wish to avoid the break-up of the United Kingdom have got to be smarter. “He said, she said” bickering about Nicola’s latest jibe at Boris only plays their game. Instead of railing against SNP single-mindedness, unionists should seek to emulate it by relentlessly scrutinising its actions, slamming its record as a hopeless administrator and putting this clear warning to the waverers among the Scottish people. If the SNP has failed, disappointed and underwhelmed with the powers it already has, what hope is there for an independent Scotland?
Others are adopting a more positive approach than attacking Queen Nicola. Nick Timothy, once chief adviser to Theresa May (she of the “precious” Union) writes that the Covid crisis has further exposed the flaws in the British unitary state and calls for the radical reform of ” a dangerous mess.”
Quite apart from the rights and wrongs of different pandemic policies, we are witnessing, in high-definition picture with cinematic soundbar, the chaotic nature of the modern British state. At almost every level, accountability and responsibility – particularly budgetary responsibility – are misaligned. As a result we have public services led by officials accountable to nobody, local government that cannot govern, mayors with so few powers that their time is spent lobbying ministers, and devolved governments that blame policy failures on England.
He gnaws at the old bone of the West Lothian Question
.. who governs England? MPs from Scottish and Welsh constituencies can vote on matters affecting England – like the health system – while English MPs have no say on the same matters in Scotland and Wales….. And the Barnett Formula, the means by which we determine public spending across the UK, is skewed against England.In Scotland, spending per person on services is twenty per cent higher.
The contrast between Germany’s experience of the pandemic and ours is striking. We must move to a fully federal model, with an English government and parliament, and more powers for the four nations. Within England we need to decentralise more, giving more responsibilities to the metro-mayors and local councils. We need a greater share of taxes raised at a local level. And we need public services to be run in line with local needs and by leaders closer to the frontline. These changes would be nothing short of a revolution.
The concern is now definitely cross party, shared by no less than Keir Starmer, as analysed here by Newton Emerson.
Starmer’s overarching plan is for each part of a federal UK to have equal authority, with greatly increased powers guaranteed by a written constitution. Westminster would no longer hold ultimate sovereignty over everything. As an example of how this would work, Scotland and Northern Ireland would have vetoed Brexit. There is little doubt Brexit is a factor in Starmer’s thinking. The survival of the union is his stated priority and it is significant he took his message straight to Scotland, along with a promise of more devolved powers. The relationship between Scotland and England is the most equal within the UK – more a case of a zebra and an elephant. Scottish politics hinges on the debate over whether more devolution will save the union or end it. Northern Ireland and Wales have been bystanders in this conversation, although their fate depends on it.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown had been preaching regionalism and federalism for years “to prevent the breakup of the United Kingdom.”
To anoraks this has been familiar territory for a long time. Now, after several false starts, it may be surfacing again and across the main UK parties. An agonising dilemma lies at the heart of it. Would one size fits all federalism or something like it strengthen the Union or wreck it altogether? Other than as a theoretical solution does anybody anywhere actually want it? It has barely registered with the Northern Ireland parties, as one option too many just at the moment. But as a symptom of concern it may mean that that the threats to the Union are being taken seriously at last.


sluggerotoole--2020-05-18--Beyond the lockdown we must sustain a long term culture of care for others

Last week Wuhan reported its first new cases of Corvid 19 since early April .
The Economist also reports a new cluster of cases linked to nightclubs in Seoul .
Disneyland in Shanghai insists that visitors must have a digital health code .
Anyone who thinks this thing will be over soon has another thing coming .
Robin Swann ’ s announcement that testing in residential care homes ( without doubt place re-infection risks are higher than anywhere ) is coming in June is just a step to new normal .
This has been the weak spot in national and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sweden where their partial lockdown had given them the bandwidth to prioritise the protection of older and more vulnerable patients .
This is in part because most resources have been funnelled into the primary healthcare system , from PPE to oxygen ventilators and testing .
We ’ ve even seen advice shift from “ masks don ’ t make any difference ” to “ using anything to cover exhalation ” will help .
In the east wearing masks is interpreted as a courtesy , whilst in the west , at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian friend ) wearing a mask on a long haul flight was likely to get a couple of free seats as people assumed you were infected .
As Atule Gawande has already noted , Culture is a huge feature of our handling and mishandling of the pandemic .
The culture he identifies is one of learning and positive re-enforcement of new norms that will have to continue long after the lockdown is over .
He talked to Anne Doyle who runs a retirement village with about 250 residents and 200 staff , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistical considerations of PPE etc , are important , we also need to change the way we all behave not to protect ourselves… In hospitals , we have had to learn how to bring the stringent antiseptic standards of the operating room into the professional culture of other parts of our institutions .
This requires absorbing the detailed practices that keep us from transmitting germs in a given setting—like the rule at the operating table that , once you ’ re scrubbed in , you never let your hands fall below your waist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norms about how to address lapses in rules , so you can comfortably call one another out when you see a standard slipping and still enjoy working together .
This isn ’ t simple ; I ’ ve seen surgical colleagues in the hallway pop their masks down below their noses to talk , which they never would have done across an operating table , yet I am hesitant to call out the lapse .
Culture is the fifth , and arguably the most difficult , pillar of a new combination therapy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on two desires : safety and freedom ; keep me safe and leave me alone .
What Doyle says she needs her people—both staff and residents—to embrace is the desire to keep others safe , not just themselves .
She needs them to say , “ I ’ m worried about my sore throat , and I am going to stay home.
” Or “ I am O.K .
with being reminded to pull my mask up.
” That is the culture of the operating room .
It ’ s about wanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the one to make someone else sick .
At Lasell Village , Doyle is doing what she can to create cultural change under pressure .
She has made sure that all her staff has enough paid sick time .
“ Most people have a ton of sick days .
For those who don ’ t , we make it clear that we ’ ll top up whatever they have in order for them to adhere to precautions around the coronavirus , ” she said .
She ’ s worked to foster an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runny nose seriously .
Residents , however , often have outside aides .
When it became clear to Doyle that these aides weren ’ t necessarily getting adequate support , she had her team track them down , and made sure they had masks and training .
In March , feeling flu-like symptoms , Doyle set an example by putting herself into self-quarantine .
Her symptoms worsened , and it was a full three weeks until she was able to be tested and to return to work .
Every day , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she asks employees and residents alike to figure out how to rise to the challenge .
“ When you have a community that cares about each other , then people are interested in adhering [ to the guidelines ] for other people , ” Doyle told me .
All the effort appears to be making a difference .
The frequency of cases among residents fell substantially after the initial outbreak .
Lasell Village went from five cases per week down to two and then one .
This is an ongoing fight that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain indoors permanently , but which does require us to continue taking the virus seriously long after the personal danger to each of us recedes .
As I ’ ve noted before… good habits are hard to acquire , and the bad ones hard to get rid of .
It ’ s not about saving ourselves so much as not passing it on to others .
Photo by sasint is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Last week Wuhan reported its first new cases of Corvid 19 since early April. The Economist also reports a new cluster of cases linked to nightclubs in Seoul. Disneyland in Shanghai insists that visitors must have a digital health code.
Anyone who thinks this thing will be over soon has another thing coming. Robin Swann’s announcement that testing in residential care homes (without doubt place re-infection risks are higher than anywhere) is coming in June is just a step to new normal.
This has been the weak spot in national and regional defences all over Europe, even in Sweden where their partial lockdown had given them the bandwidth to prioritise the protection of older and more vulnerable patients.
This is in part because most resources have been funnelled into the primary healthcare system, from PPE to oxygen ventilators and testing. We’ve even seen advice shift from “masks don’t make any difference” to “using anything to cover exhalation” will help.
In the east wearing masks is interpreted as a courtesy, whilst in the west, at the beginning of the outbreak (according to one Asian friend) wearing a mask on a long haul flight was likely to get a couple of free seats as people assumed you were infected.
As Atule Gawande has already noted, Culture is a huge feature of our handling and mishandling of the pandemic. The culture he identifies is one of learning and positive re-enforcement of new norms that will have to continue long after the lockdown is over.
He talked to Anne Doyle who runs a retirement village with about 250 residents and 200 staff, and reflects on the fact that whilst the logistical considerations of PPE etc, are important, we also need to change the way we all behave not to protect ourselves…
In hospitals, we have had to learn how to bring the stringent antiseptic standards of the operating room into the professional culture of other parts of our institutions. This requires absorbing the detailed practices that keep us from transmitting germs in a given setting—like the rule at the operating table that, once you’re scrubbed in, you never let your hands fall below your waist. Even more, this requires developing norms about how to address lapses in rules, so you can comfortably call one another out when you see a standard slipping and still enjoy working together. This isn’t simple; I’ve seen surgical colleagues in the hallway pop their masks down below their noses to talk, which they never would have done across an operating table, yet I am hesitant to call out the lapse. Culture is the fifth, and arguably the most difficult, pillar of a new combination therapy to stop the coronavirus. People tend to focus on two desires: safety and freedom; keep me safe and leave me alone. What Doyle says she needs her people—both staff and residents—to embrace is the desire to keep others safe, not just themselves. She needs them to say, “I’m worried about my sore throat, and I am going to stay home.” Or “I am O.K. with being reminded to pull my mask up.” That is the culture of the operating room. It’s about wanting, among other things, never to be the one to make someone else sick. At Lasell Village, Doyle is doing what she can to create cultural change under pressure. She has made sure that all her staff has enough paid sick time. “Most people have a ton of sick days. For those who don’t, we make it clear that we’ll top up whatever they have in order for them to adhere to precautions around the coronavirus,” she said. She’s worked to foster an atmosphere in which everyone will take a runny nose seriously. Residents, however, often have outside aides. When it became clear to Doyle that these aides weren’t necessarily getting adequate support, she had her team track them down, and made sure they had masks and training. In March, feeling flu-like symptoms, Doyle set an example by putting herself into self-quarantine. Her symptoms worsened, and it was a full three weeks until she was able to be tested and to return to work. Every day, there’s a new problem to solve, and she asks employees and residents alike to figure out how to rise to the challenge. “When you have a community that cares about each other, then people are interested in adhering [to the guidelines] for other people,” Doyle told me. All the effort appears to be making a difference. The frequency of cases among residents fell substantially after the initial outbreak. Lasell Village went from five cases per week down to two and then one.
This is an ongoing fight that will not require all of us to remain indoors permanently, but which does require us to continue taking the virus seriously long after the personal danger to each of us recedes.
As I’ve noted before… good habits are hard to acquire, and the bad ones hard to get rid of. It’s not about saving ourselves so much as not passing it on to others.
Photo by sasint is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA


sluggerotoole--2020-05-18--Covid-19 has forced us to think differently. So let’s take the opportunity to build back better.

Councillor Anthony Flynn represents the Ormiston DEA for the Green Party in Belfast City Council Dolly Parton ’ s Working Nine to Five is without question the anthem of the office worker .
The sentiment is familiar to many of us and I might even have sang along to Dolly ’ s classic at Friday evening work drinks at some point .
Covid-19 has put an abrupt end to office life and we ’ ve been thrust into working from home and in different ways .
There ’ s been little or no preparation for this shift and the lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents .
I work as a software developer and working from home had been an easy transition for me .
I have the systems I need to do my job and the only distraction through my day is to entertain the dog Red !
I get that I ’ m in a fortunate position .
Working from home with kids must be challenging and I appreciate that I can stay home and stay safe .
But beyond this pandemic why would we rush back to doing business as we did before ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were making us sick , leading to climate breakdown and now we know , made us susceptible to pandemic .
Covid-19 has forced us to think differently .
So let ’ s take the opportunity to build back better .
To make optional working from home the norm and give workers more choice over how their lives are organised .
To get rid of the rigid 9-5 Monday to Friday and end the soul destroying noxious fume ridden work commute .
To introduce more green spaces into our city centres rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Covid-19 has robbed us of so much but it has also provided an opportunity to rebuild a Green Economy .
To make the just transition towards a low carbon economy which protects workers rights .
A Green Economy which maintains productivity but with a greater emphasis on the health and well being of workers .
The rat race has been run and good riddance !

Councillor Anthony Flynn represents the Ormiston DEA for the Green Party in Belfast City Council
Dolly Parton’s Working Nine to Five is without question the anthem of the office worker. The sentiment is familiar to many of us and I might even have sang along to Dolly’s classic at Friday evening work drinks at some point.
Covid-19 has put an abrupt end to office life and we’ve been thrust into working from home and in different ways. There’s been little or no preparation for this shift and the lack of childcare has been difficult for many parents.
I work as a software developer and working from home had been an easy transition for me. I have the systems I need to do my job and the only distraction through my day is to entertain the dog Red!
I get that I’m in a fortunate position. Working from home with kids must be challenging and I appreciate that I can stay home and stay safe.
But beyond this pandemic why would we rush back to doing business as we did before?
The old ways weren’t working – they were making us sick, leading to climate breakdown and now we know, made us susceptible to pandemic.
Covid-19 has forced us to think differently. So let’s take the opportunity to build back better.
To make optional working from home the norm and give workers more choice over how their lives are organised.
To get rid of the rigid 9-5 Monday to Friday and end the soul destroying noxious fume ridden work commute.
To introduce more green spaces into our city centres rather than build concrete office block after office block.
Covid-19 has robbed us of so much but it has also provided an opportunity to rebuild a Green Economy. To make the just transition towards a low carbon economy which protects workers rights.
A Green Economy which maintains productivity but with a greater emphasis on the health and well being of workers.
The rat race has been run and good riddance!


sluggerotoole--2020-05-18--Why, who are you anyway? – Casual encounters with celebrities…

I ’ m with the good people of Dalkey going that extra mile to keep superstar celebrity Matt Damon in his box .
Graham O ’ Toole and Nathan O ’ Reilly , hosts of Spin 1038 ’ s morning radio show , should not have been so mawkish and sycophantic after hounding Matt out of his Dalkey lockdown hideaway and he telephoned the show .
It is simply not the Irish thing to do .
Chasing ratings is one thing but these boys have let down the side and all the stoical efforts of previous generations that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not our way to fawn over the rich and famous .
Learn from the experts such as in an apocryphal story when Liam Neeson was showing his good friend Robert De Niro around the striking natural beauty of our Antrim Coast and they called into Mary McBride ’ s Bar in Cushendun for a pint of Guinness .
In the tiny cramped bar Liam was approached for an autograph by a young female fan which he generously gave but grumpy De Niro , no doubt irked by the approach and expecting the usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twenty or so drinkers to announce that he and his friend were just in for a quiet drink and would appreciate if people would leave them alone to which a regular at the bar replied : “ Why , who the hell are you anyway ?
” .
That ’ s the spirit .
The reply was not from a genuine and benign ignorance rather it was the sharpest repost County Antrim could deliver and it defines the decorum we should give those who , through no fault of their own , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt , indeed it is often said , that in Ireland because of this , the rich and famous can enjoy a high degree of pleasant anonymity .
And we should never be concerned that this anonymity could be annoying for celebrities too .
I was in a Belfast restaurant many years ago waiting to leave with a friend who was speaking to others at a table when a couple approached and the man , known to my friend , joined their conversation causing his partner to be forced into my personal space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was famous , I pretended I didn ’ t and struct up a fairly banal conversation asking where she had been and what her plans were for the evening .
Then I struck her hard by asking if she was a pharmacist .
She winced and replied “ no a musician ” but I remained indifferent even though she was so stunningly beautiful and I felt I was being cruel .
Her table ready she left and my friend re-joined me asking how I knew Sharon Corr .
And this is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called out as cold and heartless to the rich and famous in their dire need of a daily ego boost .
I was witness to a master class in celebrity put down a few years back and as this case proves the drunker we are the better we perform .
Attending a black-tie business event at the Culloden , I was negotiating in the gent ’ s toilets with a senior colleague sent to tie my bow-tie so I could join the dinner .
The context here was that my wife , aspiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bow-tie but we found the instructions impossible and I had huffed and left home not properly dressed .
My colleague was terribly drunk insisted I lie on the floor as this was the only way he could do the tie and having only met him for the first time I was suspicious if not slightly nervous .
His uncle , he slurred , apprenticed him as an undertaker in the 1940s somewhere around Ballymena and this is the first skill he learned .
But the point of my tale ( or is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were joined by Gerry Anderson .
Gerry , finding us as we were , was noticeably concerned but seemed broad-minded enough to overlook it .
While at the urinal my colleague assailed him about ; how talented he was , that his sister was his biggest fan and that tomorrow he would ring her and tell her that he “ had met the famous Gerry Kelly ” .
To be fair to the Spin 1038 hosts they only suggested that it would be nice to find Matt and it was Matt who , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave himself up by ringing into their show .
But even this defence does not get away from the fact that this is the thin edge of a very slippery slope to mix a few metaphors .
We need to get back to ignoring celebrities something Ireland is truly proud of and when they crave recognition and flaunt themselves we must always ask ; ” why who the hell are you anyway ?
” .
“ Bob and Matt ” by Siebbi is licensed under CC BY

I’m with the good people of Dalkey going that extra mile to keep superstar celebrity Matt Damon in his box. Graham O’Toole and Nathan O’Reilly, hosts of Spin 1038’s morning radio show, should not have been so mawkish and sycophantic after hounding Matt out of his Dalkey lockdown hideaway and he telephoned the show. It is simply not the Irish thing to do. Chasing ratings is one thing but these boys have let down the side and all the stoical efforts of previous generations that have been ingeniously indifferent to celebrity. It is not our way to fawn over the rich and famous.
Learn from the experts such as in an apocryphal story when Liam Neeson was showing his good friend Robert De Niro around the striking natural beauty of our Antrim Coast and they called into Mary McBride’s Bar in Cushendun for a pint of Guinness. In the tiny cramped bar Liam was approached for an autograph by a young female fan which he generously gave but grumpy De Niro, no doubt irked by the approach and expecting the usual celebrity harassment experienced state-side, silenced the twenty or so drinkers to announce that he and his friend were just in for a quiet drink and would appreciate if people would leave them alone to which a regular at the bar replied: “Why, who the hell are you anyway?”. That’s the spirit. The reply was not from a genuine and benign ignorance rather it was the sharpest repost County Antrim could deliver and it defines the decorum we should give those who, through no fault of their own, just happened on celebrity.
I have always felt, indeed it is often said, that in Ireland because of this, the rich and famous can enjoy a high degree of pleasant anonymity. And we should never be concerned that this anonymity could be annoying for celebrities too. I was in a Belfast restaurant many years ago waiting to leave with a friend who was speaking to others at a table when a couple approached and the man, known to my friend, joined their conversation causing his partner to be forced into my personal space and, since I knew her and she was famous, I pretended I didn’t and struct up a fairly banal conversation asking where she had been and what her plans were for the evening. Then I struck her hard by asking if she was a pharmacist. She winced and replied “no a musician” but I remained indifferent even though she was so stunningly beautiful and I felt I was being cruel. Her table ready she left and my friend re-joined me asking how I knew Sharon Corr. And this is how it should be even if we are called out as cold and heartless to the rich and famous in their dire need of a daily ego boost.
I was witness to a master class in celebrity put down a few years back and as this case proves the drunker we are the better we perform. Attending a black-tie business event at the Culloden, I was negotiating in the gent’s toilets with a senior colleague sent to tie my bow-tie so I could join the dinner. The context here was that my wife, aspiring for better, had bought a real bow-tie but we found the instructions impossible and I had huffed and left home not properly dressed. My colleague was terribly drunk insisted I lie on the floor as this was the only way he could do the tie and having only met him for the first time I was suspicious if not slightly nervous. His uncle, he slurred, apprenticed him as an undertaker in the 1940s somewhere around Ballymena and this is the first skill he learned. But the point of my tale (or is it tail?) is that mid-tying we were joined by Gerry Anderson. Gerry, finding us as we were, was noticeably concerned but seemed broad-minded enough to overlook it. While at the urinal my colleague assailed him about; how talented he was, that his sister was his biggest fan and that tomorrow he would ring her and tell her that he “had met the famous Gerry Kelly”.
To be fair to the Spin 1038 hosts they only suggested that it would be nice to find Matt and it was Matt who, when he wasn’t hunted down, gave himself up by ringing into their show. But even this defence does not get away from the fact that this is the thin edge of a very slippery slope to mix a few metaphors. We need to get back to ignoring celebrities something Ireland is truly proud of and when they crave recognition and flaunt themselves we must always ask; ”why who the hell are you anyway?”.
“Bob and Matt” by Siebbi is licensed under CC BY


sluggerotoole--2020-05-18--How best to manage school transfers?

How best to manage school transfers?

The coronavirus crisis upends society , changes the way we live and presents huge challenges to every sector , including the education sector .
The crisis has both led to immediate and dramatic changes and prompted a deeper analysis of how we structure our system in the future .
The initial response of closing schools led to the challenge of how examinations would be managed .
In the unprecedented circumstances of school closures , DE rightly decided that GCSE and A level exams would not take place this year and ruled that students be awarded grades based on performance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pragmatic solution to a pressing problem .
However , pragmatism has gone missing when it comes to the transfer of students from primary to secondary school in the coming academic year .
It has been decided that the year 7 cohort of students will take selection exams in autumn , albeit a little later than usual .
Parents , understandably , their priority being their individual child , are up in arms .
DE has shown itself unable to confront the shibboleth of the 11plus .
Why has this examination , provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a short- term measure for next year ?
Is the exam ’ s underpinning of our unequal education system so embedded that DE could not consider cancelling it in the coming academic year ?
Or were they concerned that , if , for one year , transfer was managed successfully without subjecting our children to the stresses of the system , that no-one would wish to revive it ?
Perhaps , it was the fear that a change to teacher assessment would put undue pressure on teachers from concerned parents ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to take selection exams next year when workable alternatives are available .
A solution exists , tried and tested , which enables selection , including academic selection , without relying on teacher assessment .
A number of integrated colleges have been using such a system for the last five years .
Integrated colleges are inclusive , welcome all faiths and none , and are all ability .
They achieve their integrated balance through allocating places on the basis of religious background through carefully designed admissions criteria .
It is equally important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability , accepting children from the full range of abilities .
A number of integrated colleges have adopted a set of admissions criteria which enable them to accept up to one third of their incoming children on the basis of ability based on evidence presented by parents .
Such evidence can be PTE/PTM scores ( progress tests in English and Maths ) , CAT scores ( cognitive ability tests ) , or AQE or GL assessment scores .
Such an approach removes the burden of selection from the primary school and the Y7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school with the parent , where , on paper , it resides .
These criteria work and have allowed schools to allocate places on the basis of academic ability for up to a third of its places .
No stressful test is needed .
Children can still be successful in attaining a place in their school of choice , even if they are not selected for the ‘ grammar ’ scheme .
All children from a family can attend the same school with their individual needs being met .
All secondary schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to adopt similar criteria for the coming year .
A common set of criteria for all schools should be developed as a matter of urgency using the model already working successfully for integrated colleges .
This will solve the immediate problem of transfer for the coming year .
An avenue for the long-term solution to the problems inherent in our present system is also available .
One of the last decisions taken by the assembly before the crisis took hold was a majority vote to establish an independent commission to review our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Decade , New Approach agreement .
Such a commission will review the detrimental outcomes of exclusionary practices , either by selection or segregation , on our children , our prosperity and our society .
Such a commission will surely note our new -found reliance on and appreciation of nurses and care workers and other essential workers and reflect that many of these workers were educated in what are deemed to be ‘ second rate schools .
The present crisis underlines the importance of fundamentally changing our education system .
The promised commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency .
Photo by Pixabay is licensed under CC0

The coronavirus crisis upends society, changes the way we live and presents huge challenges to every sector, including the education sector. The crisis has both led to immediate and dramatic changes and prompted a deeper analysis of how we structure our system in the future. The initial response of closing schools led to the challenge of how examinations would be managed.
In the unprecedented circumstances of school closures, DE rightly decided that GCSE and A level exams would not take place this year and ruled that students be awarded grades based on performance and teacher predictions, a decision welcomed as a pragmatic solution to a pressing problem. However, pragmatism has gone missing when it comes to the transfer of students from primary to secondary school in the coming academic year. It has been decided that the year 7 cohort of students will take selection exams in autumn, albeit a little later than usual. Parents, understandably, their priority being their individual child, are up in arms.
DE has shown itself unable to confront the shibboleth of the 11plus. Why has this examination, provided by independent consortia, not been cancelled as a short- term measure for next year? Is the exam’s underpinning of our unequal education system so embedded that DE could not consider cancelling it in the coming academic year? Or were they concerned that, if, for one year, transfer was managed successfully without subjecting our children to the stresses of the system, that no-one would wish to revive it? Perhaps, it was the fear that a change to teacher assessment would put undue pressure on teachers from concerned parents? It is not acceptable that children should be forced to take selection exams next year when workable alternatives are available. A solution exists, tried and tested, which enables selection, including academic selection, without relying on teacher assessment.
A number of integrated colleges have been using such a system for the last five years. Integrated colleges are inclusive, welcome all faiths and none, and are all ability. They achieve their integrated balance through allocating places on the basis of religious background through carefully designed admissions criteria. It is equally important to integrated colleges that they are also all ability, accepting children from the full range of abilities. A number of integrated colleges have adopted a set of admissions criteria which enable them to accept up to one third of their incoming children on the basis of ability based on evidence presented by parents. Such evidence can be PTE/PTM scores (progress tests in English and Maths), CAT scores (cognitive ability tests), or AQE or GL assessment scores. Such an approach removes the burden of selection from the primary school and the Y7 teacher and places the selection of a school with the parent, where, on paper, it resides. These criteria work and have allowed schools to allocate places on the basis of academic ability for up to a third of its places. No stressful test is needed. Children can still be successful in attaining a place in their school of choice, even if they are not selected for the ‘grammar’ scheme. All children from a family can attend the same school with their individual needs being met. All secondary schools, including grammar schools, should now be asked to adopt similar criteria for the coming year. A common set of criteria for all schools should be developed as a matter of urgency using the model already working successfully for integrated colleges. This will solve the immediate problem of transfer for the coming year.
An avenue for the long-term solution to the problems inherent in our present system is also available. One of the last decisions taken by the assembly before the crisis took hold was a majority vote to establish an independent commission to review our education system, as promised in the New Decade, New Approach agreement. Such a commission will review the detrimental outcomes of exclusionary practices, either by selection or segregation, on our children, our prosperity and our society. Such a commission will surely note our new -found reliance on and appreciation of nurses and care workers and other essential workers and reflect that many of these workers were educated in what are deemed to be ‘second rate schools. The present crisis underlines the importance of fundamentally changing our education system. The promised commission should be established as a matter of urgency.
Photo by Pixabay is licensed under CC0


sluggerotoole--2020-05-18--“Epidemiologically, we’re all one Ireland”

It is clear that health services in both Northern Ireland and the Republic will need to be reformed as our society recovers from Covid-19 .
They need to be more resilient and flexible to cope with both underlying existing demand and the capacity to cope with the current and possible future pandemics .
Reform was already planned in both jurisdictions – the Bengoa plan in the north and Sláintecare in the south .
But could reform be even more effective – in terms of cost-effectiveness , efficiencies and quality of outcomes – if there was more cross-border integration of health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merger cross-border single healthcare system , irrespective of the question of Irish unity ?
This was the theme of the latest Holywell Trust Forward Together podcast , with Professor Jim Dornan .
Jim is a former clinical director and head of fetal medicine in the Royal Maternity Belfast Trust .
He was also senior vice president of the Royal College , running its international office .
Jim played a key role in the development of cross-border healthcare provision in recent years , specifically the arrangements for children ’ s heart surgery in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he says .
“ I was around at the beginning of the very successful paediatric services for Ireland .
I ’ m reassured by many others that that example has been followed in other areas , such as perinatal and mental health .
I believe there are quite a few ideas bubbling around.
” The benefits of these arrangements have been improved health outcomes for children , reducing the risks for extremely ill patients undergoing difficult travel and also reducing the stress on parents , who otherwise would have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain after surgery .
In addition , specialist consultants improve their skills if they do lots of similar cases .
“ You don ’ t want somebody not having enough cases so they might lose their experience , ” says Jim .
“ But you don ’ t want to be flooded by having too many .
Ireland is Goldilocks sized – not too big and not too small for its own health service .
With a joint population of six million , that ’ s about right.
” It is obvious that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future structure of healthcare across the island of Ireland .
Jim says : “ It was well put by somebody who said that epidemiologically we ’ re all one Ireland , no matter what borders are there.
” Jim explains : “ Both sides of the border , big decisions have to be made as to how much taxpayer money should be spent on health .
It ’ s really down to that at the end of the day .
America has a wonderful health service for everybody except the twenty seven and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have health insurance .
They use about 18 % of their gross national product on health .
Britain uses just under 10 % of its gross national product for health .
And the Republic , somewhere around about 7 % .
“ So it ’ s a very simple thing – people must vote in politicians who are willing to put what the people have decided should be put into health going forward .
The health service is a very hungry animal .
People working in it on both sides of the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always not be two-tiered , but a multi-tiered system – that ’ s just a fact of life .
But everybody must have access to life-saving medicines that are evidence-based and that we know work.
” He adds : “ Personally , I can see no reason why both governments should not now try to look at where are the best places to integrate health .
We don ’ t have to wait for a political decision .
For example , it is so obvious with paediatric surgery that having one successful unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is no great clashing of cultures for us all to work together.
” Jim continues : “ We ’ re talking about efficiency .
I think everybody in Ireland wants to have a health service that meets the needs of everyone , free at point of delivery based on need , which is the basis of the National Health Service .
In fairness , that ’ s exactly what the public side of the health service in the Republic is based on as well… .
But you ’ ve got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be more than one tier .
It ’ s idealistic to think of a one size fits all health system .
There ’ s no country in the world that does that.
” But moving towards more evidence-based policy-making with regard to the structure of health provision , means that arrangements need a level of flexibility and near constant change and reform .
As new evidence emerges , as new treatments are proven to be effective , so health care delivery has to respond .
This is uncomfortable for the health service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It both permanent revolution and evolution , concedes Jim , who stresses that “ everything has to be evidence-based ” .
Jim has also been a strong advocate for reconsidering the constitutional position of Northern Ireland .
“ I 100 % think that at some time in the next five years the border is going to have to be addressed .
But I honestly think that it can not and should not be addressed until we have all the answers on various options on major issues , like health , education , economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best way forward .
Instead of just going narrowly into should we get rid of the border .
With what is happening in Scotland and in people ’ s mind , we should be looking at the status quo , an independent Ulster , the union of Ireland , the position of Scotland , could we have a new federated Celtic islands situation ?
But let ’ s have an awful lot of facts… .
This is where the universities can step forward.
” This latest podcast in the second Forward Together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of peace and reconciliation charity Holywell Trust .
It is funded by the Community Relations Council ’ s Media Grant Scheme Disclaimer : This project has received support from the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council which aims to promote a pluralist society characterised by equity , respect for diversity , and recognition of interdependence .
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Community Relations Council .

It is clear that health services in both Northern Ireland and the Republic will need to be reformed as our society recovers from Covid-19. They need to be more resilient and flexible to cope with both underlying existing demand and the capacity to cope with the current and possible future pandemics. Reform was already planned in both jurisdictions – the Bengoa plan in the north and Sláintecare in the south.
But could reform be even more effective – in terms of cost-effectiveness, efficiencies and quality of outcomes – if there was more cross-border integration of health services? Could there even be a merger cross-border single healthcare system, irrespective of the question of Irish unity? This was the theme of the latest Holywell Trust Forward Together podcast, with Professor Jim Dornan. Jim is a former clinical director and head of fetal medicine in the Royal Maternity Belfast Trust. He was also senior vice president of the Royal College, running its international office.
Jim played a key role in the development of cross-border healthcare provision in recent years, specifically the arrangements for children’s heart surgery in Dublin. “It seemed so very obvious,” he says. “I was around at the beginning of the very successful paediatric services for Ireland. I’m reassured by many others that that example has been followed in other areas, such as perinatal and mental health. I believe there are quite a few ideas bubbling around.”
The benefits of these arrangements have been improved health outcomes for children, reducing the risks for extremely ill patients undergoing difficult travel and also reducing the stress on parents, who otherwise would have had to travel or stay with their children in Britain after surgery.
In addition, specialist consultants improve their skills if they do lots of similar cases. “You don’t want somebody not having enough cases so they might lose their experience,” says Jim. “But you don’t want to be flooded by having too many. Ireland is Goldilocks sized – not too big and not too small for its own health service. With a joint population of six million, that’s about right.”
It is obvious that this is a moment to consider the future structure of healthcare across the island of Ireland. Jim says: “It was well put by somebody who said that epidemiologically we’re all one Ireland, no matter what borders are there.”
Jim explains: “Both sides of the border, big decisions have to be made as to how much taxpayer money should be spent on health. It’s really down to that at the end of the day. America has a wonderful health service for everybody except the twenty seven and a half million who don’t have health insurance. They use about 18% of their gross national product on health. Britain uses just under 10% of its gross national product for health. And the Republic, somewhere around about 7%.
“So it’s a very simple thing – people must vote in politicians who are willing to put what the people have decided should be put into health going forward. The health service is a very hungry animal. People working in it on both sides of the border are doing their best. Medicine will always not be two-tiered, but a multi-tiered system – that’s just a fact of life. But everybody must have access to life-saving medicines that are evidence-based and that we know work.”
He adds: “Personally, I can see no reason why both governments should not now try to look at where are the best places to integrate health. We don’t have to wait for a political decision. For example, it is so obvious with paediatric surgery that having one successful unit is better than having two failing units…. There is no great clashing of cultures for us all to work together.”
Jim continues: “We’re talking about efficiency. I think everybody in Ireland wants to have a health service that meets the needs of everyone, free at point of delivery based on need, which is the basis of the National Health Service. In fairness, that’s exactly what the public side of the health service in the Republic is based on as well…. But you’ve got to be realistic. It’s going to be more than one tier. It’s idealistic to think of a one size fits all health system. There’s no country in the world that does that.”
But moving towards more evidence-based policy-making with regard to the structure of health provision, means that arrangements need a level of flexibility and near constant change and reform. As new evidence emerges, as new treatments are proven to be effective, so health care delivery has to respond. This is uncomfortable for the health service, but essential for its future. It both permanent revolution and evolution, concedes Jim, who stresses that “everything has to be evidence-based”.
Jim has also been a strong advocate for reconsidering the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. “I 100% think that at some time in the next five years the border is going to have to be addressed. But I honestly think that it cannot and should not be addressed until we have all the answers on various options on major issues, like health, education, economics, culture. I feel that is the best way forward. Instead of just going narrowly into should we get rid of the border. With what is happening in Scotland and in people’s mind, we should be looking at the status quo, an independent Ulster, the union of Ireland, the position of Scotland, could we have a new federated Celtic islands situation? But let’s have an awful lot of facts…. This is where the universities can step forward.”
This latest podcast in the second Forward Together series is available here on the website of peace and reconciliation charity Holywell Trust. It is funded by the Community Relations Council’s Media Grant Scheme
Disclaimer: This project has received support from the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council which aims to promote a pluralist society characterised by equity, respect for diversity, and recognition of interdependence. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Community Relations Council.