theirishtimes--2020-04-19--HSE chief criticises ‘modern-day piracy’ of international market for PPE

There is “ modern-day piracy ” going on in the sourcing and purchasing of personal protection equipment ( PPE ) worldwide , the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) chief executive Paul Reid has said .
Speaking at a briefing at UCD on Sunday , Mr Reid said PPE was like gold dust internationally and “ you find when stock is secured , somebody is outbidding you at the delivery stage ” .
However , he said the €210 million order that the HSE has put in to source PPE and ventilators , mostly in China , was a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisation had not been outbid or denied the necessary equipment .
He praised the Chinese ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong for his interventions in helping Ireland secure PPE and said without his help “ we wouldn ’ t have secured what we have secured ” .
Mr Reid said the first batch of PPE worth €31 million had been distributed and some of the 20 per cent of it that was deemed unsuitable for use with Covid-19 will be used in other parts of the health service .
He said the difficulties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed ” in the second delivery order worth €67 million .
It was supposed to land in May and June , but the delivery is being accelerated and the first planes arrived from China on Saturday .
A third order of €130 million containing gowns , gloves and respirator masks is in the pipeline .
Additional supply lines have been found in Ireland and in other countries , he added .
“ The supply of PPE will always be a major challenge to us because the demands are very similar across the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have secured and we are in a much stronger position than countries in Europe , it remains a key focus for us to keep our staff and the public safe.
” He urged healthcare staff to be “ extremely prudent ” in their use of PPE .
The HSE said it had tested 4,000 healthcare workers and residents in nursing homes over the weekend for Covid-19 .
Mr Reid said there was now a “ very significant ramp-up ” of testing in nursing homes where there are currently 248 separate suspected outbreaks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people waiting for tests over the last week .
The 27 laboratories , one of which is in Germany , are now processing 1,000 test results a day .
The situation with reagents has improved with 150,000 reagents sourced from China .
There had also been 11,500 swab tests carried out last week on suspected cases of Covid-19 , Mr Reid outlined .
HSE national clinical adviser Dr Colm Henry said the situation in nursing homes was not unique to Ireland and many countries were struggling with outbreaks in such settings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when patients in nursing home care settings were exhibiting signs of Covid-19 as many did not show a fever in the early stages because their immune systems were not capable of fighting the disease .
He defended the HSE ’ s handling of outbreaks in nursing home following criticism that it did not act quickly enough to deal with the threats from the beginning .
“ This from the beginning has been an evolving situation .
We know so much more now that we knew a few weeks ago , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the focus has changed .
It was only a few weeks ago we were looking at our acute hospitals being overrun and our intensive care units overrun .
We can take some solace from our suppression of the virus in the community .
“ The biggest challenge for us now is nursing homes and the outbreaks there .
It is a challenge faced by every country because of the vulnerability of that population .
It is becoming clearer to know that we need to progressively test these people , identify these people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at people who don ’ t have symptoms at all and test so we can distinguish outbreaks wherever they are .
”

CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid, has said that the testing backlog for Covid-19 has been cleared. Video: RTÉ
There is "modern-day piracy" going on in the sourcing and purchasing of personal protection equipment (PPE) worldwide, the Health Service Executive (HSE) chief executive Paul Reid has said.
Speaking at a briefing at UCD on Sunday, Mr Reid said PPE was like gold dust internationally and “you find when stock is secured, somebody is outbidding you at the delivery stage”.
However, he said the €210 million order that the HSE has put in to source PPE and ventilators, mostly in China, was a "reasonable price" to pay and the organisation had not been outbid or denied the necessary equipment.
Later on Sunday, Mr Reid urged private sector hospital consultants to sign up to a proposed new contract which would see them treating only public patients during the current Covid-19 crisis.
READ MORE
He said some consultants had already signed up to the new deal which would see the consultants paid between €141,000 and €195,000. No details on the numbers who had taken up the contract were provided.
However, many of the 600 fully private sector consultants are concerned that the State will not reimburse them for the cost of paying their staff and operating their rooms while they worked exclusively in the public service. They fear their practices would become financially unviable under the Government’s proposals.
The State Claims Agency has extended for one week, until next Sunday night, a temporary facility to allow private sector consultants who have not signed up to the proposed new contract to treat patients in private hospitals which have been taken over by the public system while covered by its clinical indemnity scheme.
Mr Reid said he was calling on the private sector consultants to sign the proposed public contracts “and work with us through this very difficult phase and I am confident that this is what will happen”.
PPE difficulties
Speaking at the UCD briefing, Mr Reid praised the Chinese ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong for his interventions in helping Ireland secure PPE and said without his help "we wouldn't have secured what we have secured".
Mr Reid said the first batch of PPE worth €31 million had been distributed and some of the 20 per cent of it that was deemed unsuitable for use with Covid-19 will be used in other parts of the health service.
He said the difficulties with the first order were being “fully addressed” in the second delivery order worth €67 million. It was supposed to land in May and June, but the delivery is being accelerated and the first planes arrived from China on Saturday.
A third order of €130 million containing gowns, gloves and respirator masks is in the pipeline.
Additional supply lines have been found in Ireland and in other countries, he added.
“The supply of PPE will always be a major challenge to us because the demands are very similar across the world,” he said
"Though we have secured and we are in a much stronger position than countries in Europe, it remains a key focus for us to keep our staff and the public safe."
He urged healthcare staff to be “extremely prudent” in their use of PPE.
The HSE said it had tested 4,000 healthcare workers and residents in nursing homes over the weekend for Covid-19. Mr Reid said there was now a “very significant ramp-up” of testing in nursing homes where there are currently 248 separate suspected outbreaks.
The HSE has also eliminated the backlog of people waiting for tests over the last week. The 27 laboratories, one of which is in Germany, are now processing 10,000 test results a day.
The situation with reagents has improved with 150,000 reagents sourced from China. There had also been 11,500 swab tests carried out last week on suspected cases of Covid-19, Mr Reid outlined.
HSE national clinical adviser Dr Colm Henry said the situation in nursing homes was not unique to Ireland and many countries were struggling with outbreaks in such settings.
He said it was not always obvious when patients in nursing home care settings were exhibiting signs of Covid-19 as many did not show a fever in the early stages because their immune systems were not capable of fighting the disease.
He defended the HSE’s handling of outbreaks in nursing home following criticism that it did not act quickly enough to deal with the threats from the beginning.
“This from the beginning has been an evolving situation. We know so much more now that we knew a few weeks ago,” he said.
“The case definition has changed, the focus has changed. It was only a few weeks ago we were looking at our acute hospitals being overrun and our intensive care units overrun. We can take some solace from our suppression of the virus in the community.
“The biggest challenge for us now is nursing homes and the outbreaks there. It is a challenge faced by every country because of the vulnerability of that population. It is becoming clearer to know that we need to progressively test these people, identify these people and go beyond the case definition and look at people who don’t have symptoms at all and test so we can distinguish outbreaks wherever they are.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-19--ICU facilities can only safely deal with 411 patients, critical care specialists warn

Ireland ’ s hospital system can deal safely with just 411 patients requiring intensive care facilities , critical care specialists have maintained .
In a letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other politicians , they have argued that efforts must be made to identify how and where capacity can be quickly increased as the lives of critically -ill patients will depend on it .
The representatives of various organisations in the critical care community in Ireland warned that recent surge capacity , which has been developed in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic , represented “ a short-term solution ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said the surge capacity was “ provided by staff who are redeployed working with the support of intensive care unit staff ” .
“ They will ultimately have to return to their usual posts to provide services to our non-Covid population who will require definitive care in the next few weeks to months as we move through this pandemic .
As the curve is controlled in due course , those patients requiring complex surgery for cancer , heart disease , transplant and other surgeries will need access to care and have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as patients suffering from Covid-19.
” “ Ethically and morally this country must insist that the required expansion in intensive care unit capacity is funded , so we can offer appropriate care to all our critically ill patients and cope with the difficult months ahead .
Our pre-pandemic intensive care unit occupancy of 88 per cent nationally and over 96 per cent in major units is well above the international recommended rate of 75 per cent.
” “ For too long the request of the critical care community for appropriate capacity has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years have consistently documented the inadequacy of critical care capacity in Ireland.
” “ It is now time to identify how and where we can expand capacity in the short term .
We must assist hospitals to quickly build appropriate isolation facilities which are urgently required .
We have to recruit and retain the additional staff required .
This will be a challenge , but we have no time to prevaricate .
The lives of patients who will require timely access to critical care will depend on it.
” The letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up by organisations including the Intensive Care Society of Ireland , the Irish Association of Anaesthetists , the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine of Ireland , the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland and the Irish Association of Critical Care Nurses .
The letter said that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) guidance ( 25/3/2020 ) and international evidence indicated that hospitals needed critical care capacity sufficient to admit up to 15 per cent of hospitalised cases to critical care .
It said the ECDC identified that Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saturation of its baseline intensive care unit capacity even at rates of hospitalised cases well below every other European country ” The letter also said the HSE had estimated as far back as 2009 that there should be 579 critical care beds by 2020 while a more recent capacity review in 2018 suggested 430 beds by 2021 .
“ Recent funding in March of this year from HSE/Department of Health brought our base adult critical care bed numbers from 257 adult beds ( 197 level 3 and 60 level 2 ) to 285 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 ) , still far short of the HSE own recommendations ( by 145 beds ) .
This is insufficient to deal with the additional high numbers of critically ill patients with Covid-19 in addition to our usual cohort of critically ill patients.
” The letter said the intensive care community with the help of large numbers of staff redeployed from many other specialities had created additional capacity in a truly short time frame to cope with the expected surge in cases of Covid-19 presenting to our hospitals .
“ We are enormously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have stepped up in this unprecedented situation .
Most of our elective and semi-urgent work requiring critical care has been deferred to create capacity .
We are concerned for the many patients who wait anxiously with serious diagnoses for access to care and we are keen that their needs are addressed .
”

Representatives of various organisations in the critical care community in Ireland have written to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other politicians. File photograph: Lucas Barioulet/AFP via Getty Images
Ireland’s hospital system can deal safely with just 411 patients requiring intensive care facilities, critical care specialists have maintained.
In a letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other politicians, they have argued that efforts must be made to identify how and where capacity can be quickly increased as the lives of critically -ill patients will depend on it.
The representatives of various organisations in the critical care community in Ireland warned that recent surge capacity, which has been developed in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, represented "a short-term solution" and was "not sustainable".
It said the surge capacity was “ provided by staff who are redeployed working with the support of intensive care unit staff”.
READ MORE
“They will ultimately have to return to their usual posts to provide services to our non-Covid population who will require definitive care in the next few weeks to months as we move through this pandemic. As the curve is controlled in due course, those patients requiring complex surgery for cancer, heart disease, transplant and other surgeries will need access to care and have the same right of access to critical care as patients suffering from Covid-19.”
“Ethically and morally this country must insist that the required expansion in intensive care unit capacity is funded, so we can offer appropriate care to all our critically ill patients and cope with the difficult months ahead. Our pre-pandemic intensive care unit occupancy of 88 per cent nationally and over 96 per cent in major units is well above the international recommended rate of 75 per cent.”
“For too long the request of the critical care community for appropriate capacity has been deferred. serial reports over the past 15 years have consistently documented the inadequacy of critical care capacity in Ireland.”
“It is now time to identify how and where we can expand capacity in the short term. We must assist hospitals to quickly build appropriate isolation facilities which are urgently required. We have to recruit and retain the additional staff required. This will be a challenge, but we have no time to prevaricate. The lives of patients who will require timely access to critical care will depend on it.”
The letter to the Taoiseach and opposition parties was drawn up by organisations including the Intensive Care Society of Ireland, the Irish Association of Anaesthetists, the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine of Ireland, the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland and the Irish Association of Critical Care Nurses.
The letter said that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance (25/3/2020) and international evidence indicated that hospitals needed critical care capacity sufficient to admit up to 15 per cent of hospitalised cases to critical care. It said the ECDC identified that Ireland “was at extremely high risk of saturation of its baseline intensive care unit capacity even at rates of hospitalised cases well below every other European country”
The letter also said the HSE had estimated as far back as 2009 that there should be 579 critical care beds by 2020 while a more recent capacity review in 2018 suggested 430 beds by 2021.
"Recent funding in March of this year from HSE/Department of Health brought our base adult critical care bed numbers from 257 adult beds (197 level 3 and 60 level 2) to 285 (239 level 3 and 46 level 2), still far short of the HSE own recommendations (by 145 beds). This is insufficient to deal with the additional high numbers of critically ill patients with Covid-19 in addition to our usual cohort of critically ill patients."
The letter said the intensive care community with the help of large numbers of staff redeployed from many other specialities had created additional capacity in a truly short time frame to cope with the expected surge in cases of Covid-19 presenting to our hospitals.
“We are enormously grateful for the cooperation of all staff who have stepped up in this unprecedented situation. Most of our elective and semi-urgent work requiring critical care has been deferred to create capacity. We are concerned for the many patients who wait anxiously with serious diagnoses for access to care and we are keen that their needs are addressed.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-19--Up to 40 in North targeted in ‘sextortion’ scam

About 40 people in Northern Ireland have been targeted by so-called sextortion scams since Thursday , according to police .
The majority of the scams involved emails in which the recipients were threatened that if they did not pay £2,000 , X-rated or compromising photographs of them would be sent to their families , or images or footage of them accessing pornographic websites would be released .
The police said others were phishing emails where the scammers tell the recipient they have their password in an attempt to convince them they are a genuine threat .
They claim they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and threaten to release them publicly if they do not pay £2,000 .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) said the scam emails were sent between Thursday and Saturday , and most of the attempts targeted people in counties Antrim , Derry , Down and Tyrone .
There were also a small number of scams of what police described as “ of the more traditional type ” .
These involved scammers who “ have claimed to be calling from a bank and have asked people for their bank details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are due a refund after their MoT was cancelled and they need their bank details to issue the refund .
“ One report was about workmen taking money from a householder for work yet to be completed , ” the police said .
Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said that “ thankfully , in relation to the reports we have received in the last few days , people appear to be aware of the fraudsters and it appears they haven ’ t fallen for their scams.
” He said that with young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus outbreak , parents should take extra care to monitor their children ’ s activity online .
“ It ’ s really important that parents and guardians know what their loved ones ’ online activity is , who their children are engaging with and what sites they are visiting .
“ It ’ s also important people have a conversation with their loved ones , and with each other , so they are aware of the extraordinary lengths scammers will go to and the abhorrent tactics they will employ .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may receive or has received one of these emails , please don ’ t worry .
Speak to your parent/guardian or someone you trust and do not reply to the email.
” Chief Supt Walls said people should never give out personal or financial information to an unverified source via email or over the phone .
If scammers claim to have their password , they should change that password as soon as possible .
“ I would urge people to be aware of cold callers and people claiming to carry out work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will often be too good to be true .
Be on your guard and do what you can to protect yourself financially.
” He said anyone who received a suspicious email should not interact with or reply to the scammers , but should forward the details to Action Fraud and contact police .
Action Fraud can be contacted via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040 .
Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 .

About 40 people in Northern Ireland have been targeted by so-called sextortion scams since Thursday, according to police.
The majority of the scams involved emails in which the recipients were threatened that if they did not pay £2,000, X-rated or compromising photographs of them would be sent to their families, or images or footage of them accessing pornographic websites would be released.
The police said others were phishing emails where the scammers tell the recipient they have their password in an attempt to convince them they are a genuine threat. They claim they have access to indecent images of the recipient, and threaten to release them publicly if they do not pay £2,000.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the scam emails were sent between Thursday and Saturday, and most of the attempts targeted people in counties Antrim, Derry, Down and Tyrone.
READ MORE
There were also a small number of scams of what police described as “of the more traditional type”.
These involved scammers who “have claimed to be calling from a bank and have asked people for their bank details, or where someone has been told they are due a refund after their MoT was cancelled and they need their bank details to issue the refund.
“One report was about workmen taking money from a householder for work yet to be completed,” the police said.
Extra care
Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said that "thankfully, in relation to the reports we have received in the last few days, people appear to be aware of the fraudsters and it appears they haven't fallen for their scams."
He said that with young people now spending more time at home because of the coronavirus outbreak, parents should take extra care to monitor their children’s activity online.
“It’s really important that parents and guardians know what their loved ones’ online activity is, who their children are engaging with and what sites they are visiting.
“It’s also important people have a conversation with their loved ones, and with each other, so they are aware of the extraordinary lengths scammers will go to and the abhorrent tactics they will employ.
“And, to any young person who may receive or has received one of these emails, please don’t worry. Speak to your parent/guardian or someone you trust and do not reply to the email.”
Chief Supt Walls said people should never give out personal or financial information to an unverified source via email or over the phone. If scammers claim to have their password, they should change that password as soon as possible.
“I would urge people to be aware of cold callers and people claiming to carry out work on their house for a price, which will often be too good to be true. Be on your guard and do what you can to protect yourself financially.”
He said anyone who received a suspicious email should not interact with or reply to the scammers, but should forward the details to Action Fraud and contact police.
Action Fraud can be contacted via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040. Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101.


theirishtimes--2020-04-19--Partial re-opening of primary schools to be examined by health authorities - Simon Harris

Health authorities are to examine the potential of re-opening primary schools on a limited basis , such as one day a week , in the summer .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said officials will closely monitor the experience of other countries such as Denmark which reopened its primary schools last week .
He cautioned that any decisions regarding easing current restrictions will be taken on the basis of public health advice .
However , he said , on a personal level he saw there was merit in partially reopening primary schools if permitted by public health advice .
Secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remainder of the academic year .
Such a step would be positive for the mental health and wellbeing of students and parents , he said .
“ The issue of re-opening schools is very much an open question , ” he told The Irish Times on Sunday .
“ All issues in relation to easing any restrictions will be considered by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) and will follow public health advice.
” Current public health restrictions are in place until May 5th , at which stage they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures will depend on public compliance and the advice of public health experts .
It is understood that if primary schools do partially reopen , it is more likely to be take place in June and would be subject to social distancing measures .
In Denmark , for example , pupils ’ desks are spaced apart and children are required to wash their hands on an hourly basis .
At break-time , children are only allowed out in small groups .
Mr Harris also explained his personal views of why opening schools would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with the Sunday Independent .
“ I ’ d like to see a situation whereby our schools could come back or at least could come partially back .
Now I can ’ t guarantee the timeline for this , but in terms of you ’ re asking me the hierarchy of things , I ’ d like to see comeback that would be one of them , ” he told the newspaper .
“ That would be one of them because I think , for the mental health and wellbeing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could go into school , even one day a week [ to ] get the books , meet the teacher , get the homework for the week .
“ From a socially distanced , safe point of view , meet their friends , and then go home .
That would provide breathing space for families and information and I think that would help.
” School managers , teachers ’ unions and other education partners , meanwhile , are meeting with the Department of Education on a weekly basis between now and the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting students and the State exams .
Sources say the possibility of secondary schools opening later than normal in September and on a staggered basis has been discussed .
This could allow for classes to attend for part of the week and to continue remote learning for the rest of the week .

While secondary schools look set to remain shut for the remainder of the academic year, officials are monitoring the experience of Denmark which reopened its primary schools last week. Photograph: iStock
Health authorities are to examine the potential of reopening primary schools on a limited basis, such as one day a week, in the summer.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said officials will closely monitor the experience of other countries such as Denmark which reopened its primary schools last week.
He cautioned that any decisions regarding easing current restrictions will be taken on the basis of public health advice.
However, he said, on a personal level he saw there was merit in partially reopening primary schools if permitted by public health advice. Secondary schools look set to remain shut for the remainder of the academic year.
READ MORE
Such a step would be positive for the mental health and wellbeing of students and parents, he said.
“The issue of reopening schools is very much an open question,” he told The Irish Times on Sunday.
“All issues in relation to easing any restrictions will be considered by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and will follow public health advice.”
Current public health restrictions are in place until May 5th, at which stage they will be reviewed.
Any easing of measures will depend on public compliance and the advice of public health experts.
It is understood that if primary schools do partially reopen, it is more likely to be take place in June and would be subject to social distancing measures.
In Denmark, for example, pupils’ desks are spaced apart and children are required to wash their hands on an hourly basis. At break-time, children are only allowed out in small groups.
Mr Harris also explained his personal views of why opening schools would be a positive development for children in an interview with the Sunday Independent.
“I’d like to see a situation whereby our schools could come back or at least could come partially back. Now I can’t guarantee the timeline for this, but in terms of you’re asking me the hierarchy of things, I’d like to see comeback that would be one of them,” he told the newspaper.
“That would be one of them because I think, for the mental health and wellbeing of students and parents, imagine if children could go into school, even one day a week [to] get the books, meet the teacher, get the homework for the week.
“From a socially distanced, safe point of view, meet their friends, and then go home. That would provide breathing space for families and information and I think that would help.”
In response to Mr Harris’s comments, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said any decision to reopen primary schools must be led by public health advice.
“Engagement with workers and their unions must take place in advance of any such decision,” an INTO spokesman said.
“The health and safety of teachers, pupils and parents must be guaranteed before our schools reopen. We should look closely at the small number of jurisdictions where some schools have opened and endeavour to avoid repeating any mistakes that may have been made elsewhere.”
The spokesman added that primary teachers were ready to resume facilitating the continuity of learning remotely from Monday, following the Easter holidays.
School managers, teachers’ unions and other education partners, meanwhile, are meeting with the Department of Education on a weekly basis between now and the end of May to discuss issues relating to supporting students and the State exams.
Sources say the possibility of secondary schools opening later than normal in September and on a staggered basis has been discussed.
This could allow for classes to attend for part of the week and to continue remote learning for the rest of the week.


theirishtimes--2020-04-18--Lotto €9.7 million jackpot ticket sold in Co Kerry, the National Lottery has announced

The winning ticket of Saturday night ’ s Lotto jackpot of €9.7 million was sold in Co Kerry , the National Lottery has announced There was one winner of the jackpot with the winning numbers being 4 , 9 , 15 , 27 , 29 and 34 while the bonus number was 17 .
The National Lottery appealed to Lotto players in Kerry to check their Lotto tickets .
The lucky ticketholder is the fourth Lotto jackpot winner of 2020 .
Since the Lotto games inception in 1988 , there have been 38 Lotto jackpot winners from Co Kerry who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prizes .
The National Lottery said it hopes to reveal the name of the winning store in the next couple of days .
“ With a jackpot win of this amount , it is important that we take some time to inform the winning retailer and of course to give the winning ticketholder the time and space they need to let this amazing win to sink in so we will be announcing the winning store in the coming days .
We encourage all of our Lotto players who purchased a ticket for Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tickets carefully .
If you are one of the lucky winners of any of last night ’ s big prizes , please sign the back of the ticket and contact our prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims @ lottery.ie , and we will make arrangements for you to collect your prize when it is safe to do so.
” The jackpot was close to being shared by three more players from Carlow , Dublin and Galway who fell just one number short , matching five numbers and the bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €36,453 each , sharing the €109,359 Lotto Match 5 + Bonus prize .
These tickets were sold at Flynn ’ s Spar Garage in Tullow , Co Carlow , News N Choose in Loughrea , Co Galway and the Spar store in Drimnagh , Dublin 12 .

The winning ticket of Saturday night's Lotto jackpot of €9.7 million was sold in Co Kerry, the National Lottery has announced
There was one winner of the jackpot with the winning numbers being 4, 9, 15, 27, 29 and 34 while the bonus number was 17.
The National Lottery appealed to Lotto players in Kerry to check their Lotto tickets.
The lucky ticketholder is the fourth Lotto jackpot winner of 2020.
READ MORE
Since the Lotto games inception in 1988, there have been 38 Lotto jackpot winners from Co Kerry who have shared over €58 million in jackpot prizes.
The National Lottery said it hopes to reveal the name of the winning store in the next couple of days.
“With a jackpot win of this amount, it is important that we take some time to inform the winning retailer and of course to give the winning ticketholder the time and space they need to let this amazing win to sink in so we will be announcing the winning store in the coming days. We encourage all of our Lotto players who purchased a ticket for Saturday’s Lotto draw to check their tickets carefully. If you are one of the lucky winners of any of last night’s big prizes, please sign the back of the ticket and contact our prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie, and we will make arrangements for you to collect your prize when it is safe to do so.”
The jackpot was close to being shared by three more players from Carlow, Dublin and Galway who fell just one number short, matching five numbers and the bonus ball. These three players will win €36,453 each, sharing the €109,359 Lotto Match 5 + Bonus prize.
These tickets were sold at Flynn’s Spar Garage in Tullow, Co Carlow, News N Choose in Loughrea, Co Galway and the Spar store in Drimnagh, Dublin 12.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Covid-19 benefit: Applicants complain of difficulties getting paid

As unemployment reaches unprecedented levels , long queues continue at unemployment offices a month into the lockdown .
Several people queueing at offices on Cork Street in Dublin ’ s south inner city and on Parnell Street in the north inner city describe desperate financial situations .
Many say they have had no income for up to four weeks .
Up to last week , according to the Department of Social Protection , 533,000 people had been approved for the new Covid-19 pandemic unemployment benefit , with 27,300 more approved for the Covid enhanced illness benefit , both worth €350 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were turned down “ for a variety of reasons ” , including that they were already on jobseeker ’ s allowance , they were not working immediately prior to the lockdown or had provided incorrect PPS or bank account numbers .
By 10am on Friday at the Intreo office on Cork Street , a queue of about 20 people has formed when the office opens .
Staff are letting very few inside , dealing with most at a table at the entrance .
The queue remains steady for three hours , until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , from Pearse Street , had been off sick on illness benefit when she was laid off from her job as a chef in a pub .
She was turned down twice for the Covid-19 payment because , she says , she answered on her application that she had last been paid by her employer in February , and so it appeared she was not employed .
“ The sick payment finished four weeks ago .
The woman is after telling me I should have put down the day I was meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last day in work .
But they don ’ t give you that facility on the form , so I was refused .
I have to apply again .
“ I have an 18-year-old waiting to go to college .
My rent is €80 a week .
I ’ m getting €200 a week for my daughter , so we have €120 a week for everything .
I ’ m very stressed .
I ’ m hardly eating.
” Syed Abbas ( 29 ) , who is originally from Pakistan , worked as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified for the Covid-19 unemployment payment but it has been stopped .
He doesn ’ t know why .
“ Last week I got money , this week none .
I have one baby , she is six months.
” He has been given a phone number to call .
“ Obviously I am worried .
I have no idea where this is going.
” A woman in her 30s , who does not want to give her name , worked in Debenhams on Henry Street .
“ We were told it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all thought we were going back .
I was in the restaurant , there about two years.
” Przenek Okznajczyk , from Poland , is here with a friend who is too upset to speak .
He has had no payment since he lost his construction job three weeks ago , says Okznajczyk .
“ He delivered the form .
Yesterday he was sent the form back and told his bank account is not an Irish account .
He is with Ulster Bank , which is British .
He was told today you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department spokeswoman confirmed payments will only be made electronically into accounts held in Irish institutions , though clients can nominate a local post office .
“ Why wasn ’ t he told this the first day ?
” asks Okznajczyk .
“ This is all playing games , make him wait , wait , wait .
You must understand people ’ s frustration .
He has bills .
Landlords were told to wait for the rents .
Nobody is waiting .
People are getting threatened by the landlords .
They will be kicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling.
” A number of English-language students , laid off from jobs in cafes or restaurants , are here .
Franci Ellen Fin ( 28 ) , a pharmacist from Brazil , lost her waitressing job on March 14th .
She qualified for the Covid-19 payment , got it for one week and it stopped two weeks ago .
“ They told me to reapply .
I could go back to Brazil but I paid for my visa and my classes .
[ The Government ] promised I would receive this payment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month for a bed in a triple room , in a house with nine people .
So we have a problem with the rent .
Just two people in the house are still working.
” On Parnell Street a family of seven , including five children between the ages of one month and 14 , is homeless .
The father , Vasile Lupu , works for a rubbish collection firm .
He worked five eight-hour days a week but he has been cut to three days to minimise numbers on the collection truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dinner in their emergency accommodation and are here hoping for some help buying baby clothes .
They say they get no child benefit .
Lupu shows his payslip from last week .
After “ deductions ” of €55 his take-home pay was €106 for the week .
“ I bring my family from Romania to Ireland , for I get job , ” says Lupu .
“ This virus is making life very , very difficult.
” A Department spokeswoman said a person ’ s Covid-19 payment “ may have stopped for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their employer has availed of the wage subsidy scheme and they remain employed .
Anyone that should still receive a Covid-19 payment should contact 1890 800 024 .
“ Arrangements will be made to restore their payment or provide them with interim income support .
”

As unemployment reaches unprecedented levels, long queues continue at unemployment offices a month into the lockdown.
Several people queueing at offices on Cork Street in Dublin’s south inner city and on Parnell Street in the north inner city describe desperate financial situations. Many say they have had no income for up to four weeks.
Up to last week, according to the Department of Social Protection, 533,000 people had been approved for the new Covid-19 pandemic unemployment benefit, with 27,300 more approved for the Covid enhanced illness benefit, both worth €350 a week.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Franci Ellen Fin on Cork Street. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
However, 68,000 people were turned down “for a variety of reasons”, including that they were already on jobseeker’s allowance, they were not working immediately prior to the lockdown or had provided incorrect PPS or bank account numbers.
READ MORE
By 10am on Friday at the Intreo office on Cork Street, a queue of about 20 people has formed when the office opens. Staff are letting very few inside, dealing with most at a table at the entrance. The queue remains steady for three hours, until the office closes.
Helena Murphy (46), from Pearse Street, had been off sick on illness benefit when she was laid off from her job as a chef in a pub. She was turned down twice for the Covid-19 payment because, she says, she answered on her application that she had last been paid by her employer in February, and so it appeared she was not employed.
“The sick payment finished four weeks ago. The woman is after telling me I should have put down the day I was meant to go back to work as my last day in work. But they don’t give you that facility on the form , so I was refused. I have to apply again.
“I have an 18-year-old waiting to go to college. My rent is €80 a week. I’m getting €200 a week for my daughter, so we have €120 a week for everything . I’m very stressed. I’m hardly eating.”
Payment stopped
Syed Abbas (29), who is originally from Pakistan, worked as a chef for seven years. He qualified for the Covid-19 unemployment payment but it has been stopped. He doesn't know why.
“Last week I got money, this week none. I have one baby, she is six months.” He has been given a phone number to call. “Obviously I am worried. I have no idea where this is going.”
A woman in her 30s, who does not want to give her name, worked in Debenhams on Henry Street.
“We were told it was closing down with this Covid but we all thought we were going back. I was in the restaurant, there about two years.”
Przenek Okznajczyk, from Poland, is here with a friend who is too upset to speak. He has had no payment since he lost his construction job three weeks ago, says Okznajczyk.
"He delivered the form. Yesterday he was sent the form back and told his bank account is not an Irish account. He is with Ulster Bank, which is British. He was told today you must have an Irish account."
A department spokeswoman confirmed payments will only be made electronically into accounts held in Irish institutions, though clients can nominate a local post office. She said nobody with an Ulster Bank account shoud have issues getting the payment as it is recognised as an Irish financial institution.*
“Why wasn’t he told this the first day?” asks Okznajczyk. “This is all playing games, make him wait, wait, wait. You must understand people’s frustration. He has bills. Landlords were told to wait for the rents. Nobody is waiting. People are getting threatened by the landlords. They will be kicked out on the streets. They are struggling.”
Told to reapply
A number of English-language students, laid off from jobs in cafes or restaurants, are here.
Franci Ellen Fin (28), a pharmacist from Brazil, lost her waitressing job on March 14th. She qualified for the Covid-19 payment, got it for one week and it stopped two weeks ago.
“They told me to reapply. I could go back to Brazil but I paid for my visa and my classes. [The Government] promised I would receive this payment and now nothing. I pay €420 a month for a bed in a triple room, in a house with nine people. So we have a problem with the rent. Just two people in the house are still working.”
On Parnell Street a family of seven, including five children between the ages of one month and 14, is homeless. The father, Vasile Lupu, works for a rubbish collection firm. He worked five eight-hour days a week but he has been cut to three days to minimise numbers on the collection truck.
The family are provided with breakfast and dinner in their emergency accommodation and are here hoping for some help buying baby clothes. They say they get no child benefit. Lupu shows his payslip from last week. After “deductions” of €55 his take-home pay was €106 for the week.
"I bring my family from Romania to Ireland, for I get job," says Lupu. "This virus is making life very, very difficult."
A Department spokeswoman said a person’s Covid-19 payment “may have stopped for a number of reasons” including that their employer has availed of the wage subsidy scheme and they remain employed. Anyone that should still receive a Covid-19 payment should contact 1890 800 024. “Arrangements will be made to restore their payment or provide them with interim income support.”
*This article was amended on Monday April 20th, 2020.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--How will Covid-19 affect our relationship with the Garda?

The Irish cholera outbreak of 1832 can teach us a lot about the current coronavirus pandemic .
Like today , the crisis saw a desperate search for quick cures , many of which had little basis in science ( whiskey and ginger was one ) , and the need to find a scapegoat for the disease .
Back then it was doctors , who some believed were spreading the disease so they could make money from treating patients .
Today it is immigrants and 5G technology .
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the 1832 outbreak was how quickly law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the path of the pandemic in many countries , including Ireland .
Observers recorded riots in Dublin , Kerry , Donegal , Mayo and Sligo .
Whatever relationship the population had with the authorities and the nascent Irish Constabulary quickly broke down as fear and mistrust spread through communities .
It would be dramatic bordering on absurd to suggest we face similar prospects as we battle coronavirus today .
Despite isolated incidents , public compliance with the draconian legislation introduced remains extremely high .
A survey last week found 85 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent believed the State was doing a good job .
But how long can this continue ?
And what impact will the restrictions have on the relationship between the public and the Garda Síochána , a relationship which had only just recovered following years of scandals and crisis ?
There is always a danger whenever draconian legislation is introduced that it will damage the image of the Garda as a community-focused force which polices by consent , says Dr Johnny Connolly , a University of Limerick academic and former member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CFP ) .
“ Policing by consent , particularly in the age of social media , can be a bit like walking on eggshells .
You can have a few overzealous guards , for example , who are captured on social media and go viral .
That can have a hugely damaging impact.
” He points to the emergency anti-gang measures introduced following the murder of Veronica Guerin , “ some more useful than others ” , which were widely condemned by human rights groups .
“ It ’ s really important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it ’ s used.
” However , Connolly believes there is a major difference this time around .
He says the anti-gang laws of the late 1990s are sometimes referred to as “ legislation by moral panic ” , while the even more draconian laws introduced last month are rooted in clear data and have a clear goal : to stop the spread of the disease and keep as many people as possible alive .
“ Now , of course , all of this is imperfect .
But it is symbolically very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses have been formed.
” It is too early to pass judgment on how gardaí and the State are handling their new powers of arrest and detention .
There is reason to be hopeful that the powers will be used sparingly but also some cause for concern .
Last weekend only seven people were arrested under the legislation and gardaí reported widespread compliance .
However , 144 others were arrested during Covid-19 patrols and checkpoints using other laws such as road traffic and public order legislation .
Anecdotes have also spread about mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this reporter about being chastised by gardaí for travelling too far to do their food shopping while RTÉ ’ s Liveline programme heard about a gravedigger who was admonished by gardaí for allowing others to come with him to help him with his work .
Since the crisis began the Garda has been extremely active on social media , using its platforms to encourage and occasionally shame people into obeying the rules .
Most posts are met with positivity but not all .
This week the Garda account shared a photo of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Phoenix Park .
“ We advised these two sun worshipers and in fairness they headed off , ” it stated .
“ Gardaí relishing their new powers to hassle people more like , ” was one broadly typical reply .
However , these are isolated incidents which are far outweighed by reports of positive experiences with friendly and helpful gardaí .
“ You have to remember , approaching people , talking to them and convincing them in a friendly way to do something is probably 70 per cent of frontline police work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well used to it , ” said a Co Kildare Garda who had just finished twelve hours on checkpoints in the county .
“ You will always get a cranky [ garda ] who is having a bad day who will be short with people .
But it ’ s not in our interests to hassle people or arrest them if we don ’ t have to .
We don ’ t want to be bringing potentially sick people to a cell and to court .
There ’ s not much social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunny day last week in Dublin ’ s north inner city , a group of five young men had gathered on some wasteground to smoke and pass around a can of cider when they were spotted by two female gardaí .
Each of the men were at least a foot taller than the gardaí and onlookers out for their 2km stroll stopped to watch what happened next .
If they were looking for drama they were disappointed .
After chatting and joking with the two gardaí for a minute the men dispersed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí drafted the guidelines underpinning their new powers , a major worry was how to operate in communities which traditionally mistrust the gardaí .
According to Eddie D ’ Arcy who runs the Solas Project , an outreach project for at-risk youths in Dublin city centre , “ things are not too bad ” in terms of community relations and compliance .
“ We ’ ve been at pains to explain to our young people that the extra guards on the street are nothing to do with them , that they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try and explain it to them that it ’ s about making sure your granny doesn ’ t get sick .
We were concerned with extra guards on the street that there would be tensions but so far we haven ’ t seen much .
Just a few of the young lads complaining they can ’ t go out and buy weed.
” But D ’ Arcy wonders how long this can be maintained .
“ The level of boredom is increasing and people will begin to ignore the lockdown by gathering in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could see increased conflict.
” Connolly points out that , as well as posing a threat to garda-community relations , the current crisis is also an opportunity .
“ And you should never let a good crisis go to waste.
” This is a sentiment shared by a senior garda with a background in community policing .
“ This is the biggest challenge for the guards since we were established , but it ’ s also one of our biggest opportunities .
Most people have very little dealings with An Garda so every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to cement relations , or do the opposite.
” Much of this is done through the use of discretion , says Connolly , something which is a key tool in the Garda ’ s armoury .
They must know when to enforce the letter of the law , such as in domestic violence situations , or when to take a more benign approach , such as when they encounter pensioners walking 2.5km from home , he says .
“ In many ways , gardaí are street level politicians.
” The crisis also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unglamorous but hugely valuable work ” that gardaí carry out every day in urban and rural communities , ” says Prof Donncha O ’ Connell , law lecturer at NUI Galway and Connolly ’ s former colleague on the CFP .
“ A huge amount of work is under way to restore public trust and confidence in An Garda and a crisis such as the current one allows the guards to showcase the excellent work that they do to reduce harm and ensure community safety.
” Since the start of March , gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checking on the elderly and collecting shopping for those unable to leave their homes .
The CFP says it found that most gardaí viewed this community-focused work as the most important part of their job but that it was never supported by the force ’ s management .
That at least may be starting to change .

The Irish cholera outbreak of 1832 can teach us a lot about the current coronavirus pandemic. Like today, the crisis saw a desperate search for quick cures, many of which had little basis in science (whiskey and ginger was one), and the need to find a scapegoat for the disease. Back then it was doctors, who some believed were spreading the disease so they could make money from treating patients. Today it is immigrants and 5G technology.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the 1832 outbreak was how quickly law and order broke down. Rioting followed the path of the pandemic in many countries, including Ireland. Observers recorded riots in Dublin, Kerry, Donegal, Mayo and Sligo. Whatever relationship the population had with the authorities and the nascent Irish Constabulary quickly broke down as fear and mistrust spread through communities.
It would be dramatic bordering on absurd to suggest we face similar prospects as we battle coronavirus today. Despite isolated incidents, public compliance with the draconian legislation introduced remains extremely high. A survey last week found 85 per cent of people are practising social distancing and 82 per cent believed the State was doing a good job.
Catching a few ‘Rays’ in the Phoenix Pk y/day, ‘No Way’ for the moment, please adhere to Govt guidelines and #StayAtHomeAndStaySafe. We advised these two sun worshipers and in fairness they headed off. Remember we are #HereToHelp #SocialDistancing. pic.twitter.com/9JMaGnqI4i — Garda Info (@gardainfo) April 12, 2020
But how long can this continue? And what impact will the restrictions have on the relationship between the public and the Garda Síochána, a relationship which had only just recovered following years of scandals and crisis?
READ MORE
Policing by consent
There is always a danger whenever draconian legislation is introduced that it will damage the image of the Garda as a community-focused force which polices by consent, says Dr Johnny Connolly, a University of Limerick academic and former member of the Commission on the Future of Policing (CFP).
“Policing by consent, particularly in the age of social media, can be a bit like walking on eggshells. You can have a few overzealous guards, for example, who are captured on social media and go viral. That can have a hugely damaging impact.”
He points to the emergency anti-gang measures introduced following the murder of Veronica Guerin, "some more useful than others", which were widely condemned by human rights groups.
A large tailback ahead of a Garda checkpoint on the M4 near Celbridge, Co Kildare. Despite isolated incidents, public compliance with draconian Covid-19 legislation remains extremely high. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
“It’s really important to be conscious of excessive police power and how it’s used.”
However, Connolly believes there is a major difference this time around. He says the anti-gang laws of the late 1990s are sometimes referred to as “legislation by moral panic”, while the even more draconian laws introduced last month are rooted in clear data and have a clear goal: to stop the spread of the disease and keep as many people as possible alive.
“Now, of course, all of this is imperfect. But it is symbolically very, very different in terms of how responses have been formed.”
It is too early to pass judgment on how gardaí and the State are handling their new powers of arrest and detention. There is reason to be hopeful that the powers will be used sparingly but also some cause for concern. Last weekend only seven people were arrested under the legislation and gardaí reported widespread compliance. However, 144 others were arrested during Covid-19 patrols and checkpoints using other laws such as road traffic and public order legislation. Anecdotes have also spread about mild garda overreach. Several people have complained to this reporter about being chastised by gardaí for travelling too far to do their food shopping while RTÉ’s Liveline programme heard about a gravedigger who was admonished by gardaí for allowing others to come with him to help him with his work.
Since the crisis began the Garda has been extremely active on social media, using its platforms to encourage and occasionally shame people into obeying the rules. Most posts are met with positivity but not all. This week the Garda account shared a photo of a couple sitting in the sun in the Phoenix Park. "We advised these two sun worshipers and in fairness they headed off," it stated.
“Gardaí relishing their new powers to hassle people more like,” was one broadly typical reply.
The Garda mounted division on duty on O’Connell Street, Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
However, these are isolated incidents which are far outweighed by reports of positive experiences with friendly and helpful gardaí.
"You have to remember, approaching people, talking to them and convincing them in a friendly way to do something is probably 70 per cent of frontline police work in normal times. We're well used to it," said a Co Kildare Garda who had just finished twelve hours on checkpoints in the county.
“You will always get a cranky [garda] who is having a bad day who will be short with people. But it’s not in our interests to hassle people or arrest them if we don’t have to. We don’t want to be bringing potentially sick people to a cell and to court. There’s not much social distancing in a Garda station.”
Community relations
On a sunny day last week in Dublin’s north inner city, a group of five young men had gathered on some wasteground to smoke and pass around a can of cider when they were spotted by two female gardaí. Each of the men were at least a foot taller than the gardaí and onlookers out for their 2km stroll stopped to watch what happened next. If they were looking for drama they were disappointed. After chatting and joking with the two gardaí for a minute the men dispersed and went their separate ways.
When senior gardaí drafted the guidelines underpinning their new powers, a major worry was how to operate in communities which traditionally mistrust the gardaí.
According to Eddie D’Arcy who runs the Solas Project, an outreach project for at-risk youths in Dublin city centre, “things are not too bad” in terms of community relations and compliance.
“We’ve been at pains to explain to our young people that the extra guards on the street are nothing to do with them, that they’re not picking on them.”
“We try and explain it to them that it’s about making sure your granny doesn’t get sick. We were concerned with extra guards on the street that there would be tensions but so far we haven’t seen much. Just a few of the young lads complaining they can’t go out and buy weed.”
But D’Arcy wonders how long this can be maintained. “The level of boredom is increasing and people will begin to ignore the lockdown by gathering in parks. That’s when we could see increased conflict.”
Gardaí from Boyle, Co Roscommon, help unload food donated by local businesses. Photograph: Brian Farrell/The Irish Times
Opportunity
Connolly points out that, as well as posing a threat to garda-community relations, the current crisis is also an opportunity. “And you should never let a good crisis go to waste.”
This is a sentiment shared by a senior garda with a background in community policing. “This is the biggest challenge for the guards since we were established, but it’s also one of our biggest opportunities. Most people have very little dealings with An Garda so every interaction in situations like this are a chance to cement relations, or do the opposite.”
Much of this is done through the use of discretion, says Connolly, something which is a key tool in the Garda’s armoury. They must know when to enforce the letter of the law, such as in domestic violence situations, or when to take a more benign approach, such as when they encounter pensioners walking 2.5km from home, he says. “In many ways, gardaí are street level politicians.”
The crisis also presents an opportunity to highlight the “unglamorous but hugely valuable work” that gardaí carry out every day in urban and rural communities,” says Prof Donncha O’Connell, law lecturer at NUI Galway and Connolly’s former colleague on the CFP.
“A huge amount of work is under way to restore public trust and confidence in An Garda and a crisis such as the current one allows the guards to showcase the excellent work that they do to reduce harm and ensure community safety.”
Since the start of March, gardaí have been spending much of their day checking on the elderly and collecting shopping for those unable to leave their homes. The CFP says it found that most gardaí viewed this community-focused work as the most important part of their job but that it was never supported by the force’s management. That at least may be starting to change.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Wide testing in nursing homes essential, says professor

We need to “ test the living death ” out of everyone in residential nursing homes , including staff , if we are going to eradicate Covid-19 there , a consultant geriatrician providing support to the sector has said .
Prof Sean Kennelly , who is based at Tallaght University Hospital , Dublin , is providing support to 14 nursing homes in the southwest of the city , as well as to St Michael ’ s House in Cheeverstown and other residential facilities for the intellectually disabled .
Between 45 and 60 per cent of all Covid-related deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Italy have been residents of nursing homes , he said .
“ I think that is the most important thing to stress .
What is happening in Ireland is not an outlier.
” The fact that the most vulnerable members of the population were gathered together in nursing homes was the key factor , he said .
“ What we are experiencing , unfortunately , is not unusual.
” He said he and his colleagues are noticing lots of elderly patients who are infected but are not showing the symptoms that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as temperature and a cough .
Older people can present with gastrointestinal problems or confusion , and can be infectious for a period before they come to show any significant symptoms .
“ Only 30-35 per cent of nursing home residents that have Covid-19 will have a temperature , ” he said .
On Friday the National Public Health Emergency Team announced that up to 100,000 staff and residents of long-term residential care facilities were going to be urgently tested .
Prof Kennelly said 10 of the 14 nursing homes he is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In many of the nursing homes I have been dealing with , an unexpected death has occurred in the preceding week or two.
” It was a feature of the new disease that a person could be very seriously infected but be without symptoms before going into an abrupt decline .
This was why comprehensive testing was needed , he said .
There was also an urgent need for a regulatory body to assess those nursing homes where there had been significant outbreaks , to decide if they were suitable places for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Beds are being freed up in these nursing homes , unfortunately , as a result of people passing away .
Most of these are private operators , and they have to be able to pay their staff .
The acute hospitals are , as always , under pressure and need to free up beds .
We need to find a way of doing that in a safe fashion.
” Some nursing homes , through no fault of their own , may no longer be suitable places for elderly residents in the context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ There are going to have to be some difficult conversations.
” Prof Kennelly said that the families of residents who were sick or who had died , or who are not able to visit loved ones , had been going through a very traumatic time .
Once the crisis was under control , thought would have to be given to how it might be possible to reopen visiting arrangements .
“ Is a life worth living if you spend 18 months away from seeing your family , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing them again at all ?
”

A person with coronavirus can be very seriously infected but without symptoms before going into an abrupt decline. Photograph: Getty
Everyone in residential nursing homes, including staff, should be tested if Covid-19 is going to be eradicated from them, a consultant geriatrician providing support to the sector has said.
Prof Sean Kennelly, who is based at Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, is providing support to 14 nursing homes in the southwest of the city, and residential facilities for the intellectually disabled.
Between 45 and 60 per cent of all Covid-related deaths in the UK, Belgium, France, Spain and Italy have been residents of nursing homes, he said.
“I think that is the most important thing to stress. What is happening in Ireland is not an outlier.”
READ MORE
The fact that the most vulnerable members of the population were gathered together in nursing homes was the key factor, he said. “What we are experiencing, unfortunately, is not unusual.”
He said he and his colleagues are noticing lots of elderly patients who are infected but are not showing the symptoms that were typical in the Chinese outbreak, such as temperature and a cough.
Older people can present with gastrointestinal problems or confusion, and can be infectious for a period before they come to show any significant symptoms.
“Only 30-35 per cent of nursing home residents that have Covid-19 will have a temperature,” he said.
Abrupt decline
On Friday the National Public Health Emergency Team announced that up to 100,000 staff and residents of long-term residential care facilities were going to be urgently tested.
Prof Kennelly said 10 of the 14 nursing homes he is working with have residents with the infection.
“In many of the nursing homes I have been dealing with, an unexpected death has occurred in the preceding week or two.”
It was a feature of the new disease that a person could be very seriously infected but be without symptoms before going into an abrupt decline. This was why comprehensive testing was needed, he said.
There was also an urgent need for a regulatory body to assess those nursing homes where there had been significant outbreaks, to decide if they were suitable places for sending new residents, he said.
“Beds are being freed up in these nursing homes, unfortunately, as a result of people passing away. Most of these are private operators, and they have to be able to pay their staff. The acute hospitals are, as always, under pressure and need to free up beds. We need to find a way of doing that in a safe fashion.”
Unsuitable places
Some nursing homes, through no fault of their own, may no longer be suitable places for elderly residents in the context of Covid-19 because of their physical structure, he said. “There are going to have to be some difficult conversations.”
Prof Kennelly said that the families of residents who were sick or who had died, or who are not able to visit loved ones, had been going through a very traumatic time.
Once the crisis was under control, thought would have to be given to how it might be possible to reopen visiting arrangements.
“Is a life worth living if you spend 18 months away from seeing your family, and run the potential risk of dying without seeing them again at all?”


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--New project aims to frustrate gangs and lure children away from organised crime

A pilot programme to disrupt organised crime and prevent children being drawn into criminal gangs is to be launched this year by the Government and the Garda at a cost of €3 million .
The three-year programme builds on research carried out by the University of Limerick ( UL ) which examined how criminal networks operate in disadvantaged communities and how senior criminals groom children for a life of offending with the promise of money , drugs and status .
According to tendering documents , the pilot programmes will be rolled out in two communities which will remain anonymous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals which recruit children for crime and supporting families and communities so that children are not drawn to gangs in the first place .
The Greentown programme , which is named after the pseudonym of the community studied by the UL researchers , will target between 25 and 30 children and families each year in each of the two communities and will operate 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
However , the primary goal of the programme is not to break up the gangs but rather to “ reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organised crime and/or gangs ” .
The programme will begin with an assessment of the gang activity in the area by the Garda Analysis Service and UL .
“ This assessment will provide an overall measure of the size and shape of the network , the key actors , the relationships forged between adults and children in joint criminal enterprise , and identify those children at risk or at the periphery of network criminal activity , ” a briefing document states .
The criminal network will then be targeted in a four-pronged approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing opportunities for young people and building up communities .
The first part will be handled by the Garda which will utilise “ all reasonable executive authority to frustrate and disrupt ” the activities of senior gang members .
This will provide an opportunity for social workers to dissuade children from joining a gang or help them leave a gang they have already joined .
At the same time , social workers will select the most at-risk children to take part in an “ intensive family programme ” , designed to improve parenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the lure of the gangs on their children .
They will also identify the talents and interests of the children and provide practical support to take up employment or training in those areas .
Lastly , the project will help build up positive community initiatives which may have been eroded by gang activity and drug dealing in the area .
This involves working alongside local communities “ to bring about small neighbourhood human and social improvements with the intended outcome of increased community confidence ” .
The Department of Children has requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and intervention to tender for the programme and have made €3 million available over a three-year period .
Prospective applicants are warned about being “ too choosy ” about taking on difficult or complex cases .
“ A key criterion is that non-eligibility on the grounds of risk or case complexity is kept to an absolute minimum , ” the briefing document states .
The programme will be overseen by the department along with the Garda , the Probation Service , Tusla and UL .
It is understood the programme will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful .

The new programme builds on research carried which senior criminals groom children for a life of offending with the promise of money, drugs and status. Photograph: David Sleator
A pilot programme to disrupt organised crime and prevent children being drawn into criminal gangs is to be launched this year by the Government and the Garda at a cost of €3 million.
The three-year programme builds on research carried out by the University of Limerick (UL) which examined how criminal networks operate in disadvantaged communities and how senior criminals groom children for a life of offending with the promise of money, drugs and status.
According to tendering documents, the pilot programmes will be rolled out in two communities which will remain anonymous. It will involve both actively targeting organised criminals which recruit children for crime and supporting families and communities so that children are not drawn to gangs in the first place.
The Greentown programme, which is named after the pseudonym of the community studied by the UL researchers, will target between 25 and 30 children and families each year in each of the two communities and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Primary goal
However, the primary goal of the programme is not to break up the gangs but rather to “reduce the risk and attractiveness of children to organised crime and/or gangs”.
The programme will begin with an assessment of the gang activity in the area by the Garda Analysis Service and UL. “This assessment will provide an overall measure of the size and shape of the network, the key actors, the relationships forged between adults and children in joint criminal enterprise, and identify those children at risk or at the periphery of network criminal activity,” a briefing document states.
The criminal network will then be targeted in a four-pronged approach: gang disruption, family support, providing opportunities for young people and building up communities.
The first part will be handled by the Garda which will utilise “all reasonable executive authority to frustrate and disrupt” the activities of senior gang members.
This will provide an opportunity for social workers to dissuade children from joining a gang or help them leave a gang they have already joined.
Lure
At the same time, social workers will select the most at-risk children to take part in an “intensive family programme”, designed to improve parenting skills and enable parents to fight back against the lure of the gangs on their children.
They will also identify the talents and interests of the children and provide practical support to take up employment or training in those areas.
Lastly, the project will help build up positive community initiatives which may have been eroded by gang activity and drug dealing in the area.
This involves working alongside local communities “to bring about small neighbourhood human and social improvements with the intended outcome of increased community confidence”.
The Department of Children has requested organisations with a background in complex social work and intervention to tender for the programme and have made €3 million available over a three-year period.
Prospective applicants are warned about being “too choosy” about taking on difficult or complex cases. “A key criterion is that non-eligibility on the grounds of risk or case complexity is kept to an absolute minimum,” the briefing document states.
The programme will be overseen by the department along with the Garda, the Probation Service, Tusla and UL.
It is understood the programme will be rolled out nationwide if the pilot is successful.


theirishtimes--2020-04-20--Dublin bicycle shop owner offers free repairs to frontline hospital staff battling Covid-19

Dozens of bicycles , many that have not left the shed since they were bought in a burst of enthusiastic optimism on the bike-to-work scheme , have been finding their way to Paul McQuaid ’ s workshop at Usher ’ s Island in Dublin in the last few weeks .
Paul , who runs River Cycles just beside the James Joyce Bridge , had found his business stopped abruptly when the initial wave of coronavirus restrictions hit .
“ I ’ ve been working on bikes for 40 years , and overnight business just stopped .
The whole country got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their minds.
” A former competitive cyclist , and member of the famous McQuaid cycling family , being idle doesn ’ t suit him .
“ I ’ d be reading the papers and thinking what , if anything , could I do to help .
It dawned on me that a lot of the front line staff would be in the demographic where they ’ d be likely to be taking buses or other public transport , and they ’ d be better off on bicycles.
” He emailed the human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and St James ’ s hospitals to ask if they thought staff might be interested in having their bicycles mended , for free .
“ They all replied and said they thought people would be interested .
That was three weeks ago and I ’ ve had more than a hundred bikes into me in that time.
” In some cases he collects the bikes on his own cargo bike , in others , where the bikes need only minor repairs or refurbishment people will cycle to the workshop and he will give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theirs is being repaired .
Two of his nephews are also collecting and delivering bikes for him .
Family members who are also in the trade , particularly his brothers Oliver and Kieron , have donated “ a mountain of stuff ” in terms of spare parts he says , and people in general have been “ amazingly kind ” .
“ A gentleman rang me and offered to deliver me in two bikes as a donation .
He used to race with my father in the 50s !
He said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his “ better half ’ ” used to use when they used to go off on holidays .
They haven ’ t used them in years so they wanted them to go to a good cause , ” he says .
“ A little over a week ago I got a call out of the blue from a lady called Angela in Rathfarnham .
Her husband died a couple of years ago and she wanted to donate his bike .
The other day one of the delivery drivers from James ’ s came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d collect bikes and bring them back so that ’ d be a great help.
” The donated bikes will be refurbished and given to front line workers or used for parts for the refurbishments , depending on their state of repair .
The repairs generally range from flat tyres and new brake pads – “ everyone neglects their brake pads ” he says – to a general refurbishment , although he does get in the odd one that hasn ’ t seen outside of a garden shed in many years .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment ; it needs to have everything done.
” The small blue bike he points to with an old leather spring suspension saddle could most kindly be described as ‘ vintage ’ but is possibly more accurately described as clapped out .
It ’ s so old that standard brake leads don ’ t fit it , so Paul has had to order specific ones online , again at his own expense .
“ That one belongs to a nurse in Glasnevin , it will take a while to do , maybe four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it going again.
” Most repairs are quick however such as a patch to a inner tube – and he believes in mending rather than replacing tubes where possible .
“ Why would you discard a tube that just has a pin prick hole ?
Look at that patch , it ’ s beautiful.
” The patch on the tube he holds up is indeed seamless .
Mostly he says he can get through 10 to 15 bicycles a day .
“ I spend the morning replying to all the emails I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away on the bikes from about 12pm to 5pm.
” In recent days he ’ s expanded from fixing bikes for hospital workers to repairs for fire fighters and gardaí .
“ For as long as anyone on the front line needs it , I ’ ll keep going.
” Having this work to do has been uplifting and often moving , he says .
“ I ’ m normally a pretty optimistic person , but in this situation it ’ s hard not to be pessimistic .
You see some of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , porters and consultants , and they are so haggard-looking .
But I love what I do and I ’ m very lucky to be able to fix bikes for these people .
There ’ s no comparison between sitting in a car and the joy of cycling .
Everyone should have a bike in their life.
” Angela Keogh had been looking for a home for her late husband ’ s bike for some time .
“ Joe died very suddenly of a heart attack just over two years ago now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he had only retired three years so it was very unexpected.
” Up until his retirement from the Dublin Institute of Technology in Kevin Street , he had cycled to work every day from their home in Rathfarnham .
“ He worked in Kevin Street for 50 years , if you can imagine that , he was a physics technician .
He started working there when he was 16 , but he still cycled every day after he retired down to the gym in Rathmines three times a week , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death , Angela says , she didn ’ t know anyone who wanted or needed his bicycle .
“ The poor bike just sat in the garage .
I thought I might pass it on to someone who wanted it .
I didn ’ t want to sell it , because I didn ’ t want to make a profit from it , but I just thought someone might come along at some stage who would really like a bike.
” When she heard that Paul McQuaid was refurbishing bikes for frontline workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I was absolutely delighted to be able to support this and when I told Joe ’ s brothers and our two daughters , they were delighted too .
It was a poignant moment when Paul came to collect it , but Joe had a very generous nature and he would have loved that this is where his bike is going to.
” Emma Gorman , a physiotherapist in the Mater Hospital , cycles to work from Beaumont every day .
She had begun recently to notice the chain on her bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycled .
“ At first it was just annoying , but it got worse and I could feel I was starting to lose control of the bike and it was becoming dangerous .
I borrowed my sister ’ s bike for a while , but , well it ’ s like wearing someone else ’ s shoes .
I was stuck on the bus for a couple of days , but I really missed the bike.
” Around this time she saw an internal email with Paul McQuaid ’ s offer to fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he came to the conclusion the gears were slipping .
I dropped it into him and he did a whole service – the gears , breaks , cleaned the whole thing up .
There was a lot of what you might call ‘ general neglect ’ .
“ I collected it a few days later and he wouldn ’ t take any payment , I tried to insist he take the price of a cup of coffee , but he wouldn ’ t even do that .
” Based in the hospital ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her daily bicycle trip gives her time to adjust between work and home .
“ The cycle home really helps clear your head , particularly at the moment , ” she says .
“ We are still preparing , waiting for the surge , it seems the efforts to flatten the curve are working .
But we have had a patient who was Covid-19 positive discharged from the ICU .
It ’ s wonderful to see someone going home .
”

Paul McQuaid, of River Cycles, Ushers Island, Dublin repairing and servicing bicycles of Covid-19 frontline workers. “I’m very lucky to be able to fix bikes for these people.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Dozens of bicycles, many that have not left the shed since they were bought in a burst of enthusiastic optimism on the bike-to-work scheme, have been finding their way to Paul McQuaid’s workshop at Usher’s Island in Dublin in the last few weeks.
Paul, who runs River Cycles just beside the James Joyce Bridge, had found his business stopped abruptly when the initial wave of coronavirus restrictions hit.
“I’ve been working on bikes for 40 years, and overnight business just stopped. The whole country got a collective fright and nobody had bikes on their minds.”
A former competitive cyclist, and member of the famous McQuaid cycling family, being idle doesn’t suit him.
READ MORE
“I’d be reading the papers and thinking what, if anything, could I do to help. It dawned on me that a lot of the front line staff would be in the demographic where they’d be likely to be taking buses or other public transport, and they’d be better off on bicycles.”
He emailed the human resources departments of the Mater, Beaumont and St James’s hospitals to ask if they thought staff might be interested in having their bicycles mended, for free.
“They all replied and said they thought people would be interested. That was three weeks ago and I’ve had more than a hundred bikes into me in that time.”
In some cases he collects the bikes on his own cargo bike, in others, where the bikes need only minor repairs or refurbishment people will cycle to the workshop and he will give them a bike to borrow, while theirs is being repaired. Two of his nephews are also collecting and delivering bikes for him.
Family members who are also in the trade, particularly his brothers Oliver and Kieron, have donated “a mountain of stuff” in terms of spare parts he says, and people in general have been “amazingly kind”.
“A gentleman rang me and offered to deliver me in two bikes as a donation. He used to race with my father in the 50s! He said he had two fold up bikes that he and his “better half’”used to use when they used to go off on holidays. They haven’t used them in years so they wanted them to go to a good cause,” he says.
General refurbishment
“A little over a week ago I got a call out of the blue from a lady called Angela in Rathfarnham. Her husband died a couple of years ago and she wanted to donate his bike. The other day one of the delivery drivers from James’s came in his van and said he’d collect bikes and bring them back so that’d be a great help.”
The donated bikes will be refurbished and given to front line workers or used for parts for the refurbishments, depending on their state of repair.
The repairs generally range from flat tyres and new brake pads – “everyone neglects their brake pads” he says – to a general refurbishment, although he does get in the odd one that hasn’t seen outside of a garden shed in many years.
“I’ve one there at the moment; it needs to have everything done.”
The small blue bike he points to with an old leather spring suspension saddle could most kindly be described as ‘vintage’ but is possibly more accurately described as clapped out. It’s so old that standard brake leads don’t fit it, so Paul has had to order specific ones online, again at his own expense.
“That one belongs to a nurse in Glasnevin, it will take a while to do, maybe four hours, but we’ll get it going again.”
Most repairs are quick however such as a patch to a inner tube – and he believes in mending rather than replacing tubes where possible.
“Why would you discard a tube that just has a pin prick hole? Look at that patch, it’s beautiful.” The patch on the tube he holds up is indeed seamless.
Mostly he says he can get through 10 to 15 bicycles a day.
“I spend the morning replying to all the emails I’m getting, and then I work away on the bikes from about 12pm to 5pm.”
In recent days he’s expanded from fixing bikes for hospital workers to repairs for fire fighters and gardaí.
“For as long as anyone on the front line needs it, I’ll keep going.”
Having this work to do has been uplifting and often moving, he says.
“I’m normally a pretty optimistic person, but in this situation it’s hard not to be pessimistic. You see some of these people coming in, doctors, nurses, porters and consultants, and they are so haggard-looking. But I love what I do and I’m very lucky to be able to fix bikes for these people. There’s no comparison between sitting in a car and the joy of cycling. Everyone should have a bike in their life.”
***
Angela Keogh had been looking for a home for her late husband’s bike for some time.
“Joe died very suddenly of a heart attack just over two years ago now. He was a cyclist all his life and he had only retired three years so it was very unexpected.”
Up until his retirement from the Dublin Institute of Technology in Kevin Street, he had cycled to work every day from their home in Rathfarnham.
“He worked in Kevin Street for 50 years, if you can imagine that, he was a physics technician. He started working there when he was 16, but he still cycled every day after he retired down to the gym in Rathmines three times a week, and to the shops.”
However, after his death, Angela says, she didn’t know anyone who wanted or needed his bicycle.
“The poor bike just sat in the garage. I thought I might pass it on to someone who wanted it. I didn’t want to sell it, because I didn’t want to make a profit from it, but I just thought someone might come along at some stage who would really like a bike.”
When she heard that Paul McQuaid was refurbishing bikes for frontline workers she realised it was the ideal solution.
“I was absolutely delighted to be able to support this and when I told Joe’s brothers and our two daughters, they were delighted too. It was a poignant moment when Paul came to collect it, but Joe had a very generous nature and he would have loved that this is where his bike is going to.”
Emma Gorman, a physiotherapist in the Mater Hospital, cycles to work from Beaumont every day. She had begun recently to notice the chain on her bike was getting stuck and jerking as she cycled.
“At first it was just annoying, but it got worse and I could feel I was starting to lose control of the bike and it was becoming dangerous. I borrowed my sister’s bike for a while, but, well it’s like wearing someone else’s shoes. I was stuck on the bus for a couple of days, but I really missed the bike.”
Around this time she saw an internal email with Paul McQuaid’s offer to fix bikes.
“I rang Paul and he came to the conclusion the gears were slipping. I dropped it into him and he did a whole service – the gears, breaks, cleaned the whole thing up. There was a lot of what you might call ‘general neglect’.
“I collected it a few days later and he wouldn’t take any payment, I tried to insist he take the price of a cup of coffee, but he wouldn’t even do that .”
Based in the hospital’s intensive care unit, she says her daily bicycle trip gives her time to adjust between work and home.
“The cycle home really helps clear your head, particularly at the moment,” she says. “We are still preparing, waiting for the surge, it seems the efforts to flatten the curve are working. But we have had a patient who was Covid-19 positive discharged from the ICU. It’s wonderful to see someone going home.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Over half of young people feel anxious or stressed due to pandemic

Over half of young people say they are feeling anxious , stressed or depressed due to the coronavirus pandemic , new research indicates .
However , most are optimistic society will change for the better , and are staying in regular contact with their friends by phone or online , according to a survey of almost 800 people aged 16 to 19 .
The online poll , carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of Young Social Innovators ( YSI ) earlier this month , also indicates that most young people are closely practising social distancing measures .
The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people have stopped going out to meet with friends .
Most are keeping at least 2m apart from people when in public , and practising strict handwashing and proper coughing hygiene .
There is a strong interest among young people in helping out in their community , with just over half those surveyed having a desire to help or are already helping .
Sarah Rooney , associate director of Amárach Research , said young people who are optimistic that society will change for the better hope that wider society will re-evaluate life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously been taken for granted .
“ They are also aware of communities coming together and hope that this will continue , as well as the positive environmental impact of the economic shutdown.
” However , among those ( 32 per cent ) who think society will be impacted for the worse , 40 per cent worry about the threat of recession .
Young Social Innovators chief executive Rachel Collier said it was important to understand how young people were coping in such uncertainty .
“ We are encouraged by the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in staying informed , their knowledge of Government guidelines , and their high levels of commitment to following these , all of which suggests they are playing their part in the national effort , and know what is expected of them to do so , ” said Mr Rooney .
“ While we are buoyed that many young people are remaining positive amidst the emergency , we must acknowledge the many others who may not be managing as well.
” She asked that parents and relations check up on young people in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer a listening ear to any worries or frustrations they may have .
Ms Collier said the strong interest among young people in helping their communities reflected other findings which indicate that “ Generation Z ” is keen to make a positive difference in the world .
“ Such contribution and participation should be encouraged and enabled as we collectively deal with and begin to emerge from this crisis to rebuild our country , ” she said .
“ Any discussions of the kind of world we wish to live in after this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspectives .
“ We must also listen to young people ’ s anxieties concerning a potential economic downturn , appreciating that it will likely be the second recession they have lived through , and be cognisant of the strain this may put on them and their families , and on their mental health in particular.
” In response to the findings , Young Social Innovators is launching an “ open call to teenagers ” to submit ideas on how to tackle the problems in our communities as a result of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential for impact will be given the opportunity to pitch to a panel of leaders from across business , non-governmental organisations and government .
Ms Collier said : “ No idea is too big or too small , and I would encourage all young people to think about how they can explore , create , innovate and make a difference , and enter the YSI open call .
”

There is a strong interest among young people in helping out in their community, with just over half those surveyed having a desire to help or are already helping. Photograph: iStock
Over half of young people say they are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed due to the coronavirus pandemic, new research indicates.
However, most are optimistic society will change for the better, and are staying in regular contact with their friends by phone or online, according to a survey of almost 800 people aged 16 to 19.
The online poll, carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of Young Social Innovators (YSI) earlier this month, also indicates that most young people are closely practising social distancing measures.
The vast majority (94 per cent) of young people have stopped going out to meet with friends. Most are keeping at least 2m apart from people when in public, and practising strict handwashing and proper coughing hygiene.
READ MORE
There is a strong interest among young people in helping out in their community, with just over half those surveyed having a desire to help or are already helping.
Sarah Rooney, associate director of Amárach Research, said young people who are optimistic that society will change for the better hope that wider society will re-evaluate life, and appreciate that which may have previously been taken for granted.
“They are also aware of communities coming together and hope that this will continue, as well as the positive environmental impact of the economic shutdown.”
However, among those (32 per cent) who think society will be impacted for the worse, 40 per cent worry about the threat of recession.
Young Social Innovators chief executive Rachel Collier said it was important to understand how young people were coping in such uncertainty.
“We are encouraged by the level of awareness among young people, their interest in staying informed, their knowledge of Government guidelines, and their high levels of commitment to following these, all of which suggests they are playing their part in the national effort, and know what is expected of them to do so,” said Mr Rooney .
“While we are buoyed that many young people are remaining positive amidst the emergency, we must acknowledge the many others who may not be managing as well.”
She asked that parents and relations check up on young people in their lives by phone or email, and offer a listening ear to any worries or frustrations they may have.
Ms Collier said the strong interest among young people in helping their communities reflected other findings which indicate that “Generation Z” is keen to make a positive difference in the world.
Participation
“Such contribution and participation should be encouraged and enabled as we collectively deal with and begin to emerge from this crisis to rebuild our country,” she said. “Any discussions of the kind of world we wish to live in after this crisis must include young people’s perspectives.
“We must also listen to young people’s anxieties concerning a potential economic downturn, appreciating that it will likely be the second recession they have lived through, and be cognisant of the strain this may put on them and their families, and on their mental health in particular.”
In response to the findings, Young Social Innovators is launching an "open call to teenagers" to submit ideas on how to tackle the problems in our communities as a result of the pandemic.
Those with the ideas with the most potential for impact will be given the opportunity to pitch to a panel of leaders from across business, non-governmental organisations and government.
Ms Collier said: “No idea is too big or too small, and I would encourage all young people to think about how they can explore, create, innovate and make a difference, and enter the YSI open call.”