theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Church leaders urge people to stay resolute amid pandemic restrictions

Ireland ’ s four main Christian leaders have lamented the continued restriction on church services but have encouraged followers to adhere to Government advice on social distancing and other measures .
“ The current restrictions are challenging , but are for the common good and the protection of everyone across our island , ” they have said in a joint statement issued on Sunday by Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin , Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop John McDowell , Presbyterian Moderator Rev Dr William Henry and Methodist President Rev Dr Ivan Patterson .
Under the latest restrictions for the Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , places of worship where social distancing can be maintained may be reopened on July 20th .
From then too , in phase four , small weddings , baptisms and such social gatherings involving family and close friends may take place but will be limited to a maximum number of attendees for a limited period of time where social distancing can be maintained .
More immediately , in phase two , from June 8th , slightly larger numbers than now may be permitted at funeral Masses where social distancing can be maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate family or close friends .
At present a maximum of 10 people may attend a funeral Mass .
In their statment the church leaders commended “ our ministers and clergy for their prayerful and creative use of various online platforms and other means that have brought encouragement , through God ’ s word and through prayer , to His scattered people .
“ At the same time , we lament the fact that our congregations are unable to gather together in person for worship .
We recognise , however , as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community in the real sense of the word , means that as individuals we acknowledge our interdependence , ” they said .
In terms of Northern Ireland the church leaders said that “ at this time , we are not calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to remove the current general restrictions on gathering together for church services , but we are asking that the issue is kept under regular review , so that when it is safe to do so there can be an easing of these restrictions.
” On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open for individual visits and private prayer , where this was desired locally , they felt that “ where the medical and scientific advice indicates that this limited step is possible , we would urge the Executive to consider easing this particular restriction sooner rather than later ” .
They concluded “ over the past number of weeks , we have seen the vast majority of the people embracing these challenging , but very necessary , restrictions - working together for the benefit and good of all .
We give thanks for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our community .
“ As we enter into the second full month of this emergency on our island , we urge everyone to remain resolute and vigilant , encouraging one another on , so that we can come through this together .
”

Places of worship where social distancing can be maintained may be reopened on July 20th
Ireland’s four main Christian leaders have lamented the continued restriction on church services but have encouraged followers to adhere to Government advice on social distancing and other measures.
“The current restrictions are challenging, but are for the common good and the protection of everyone across our island,” they have said in a joint statement issued on Sunday by Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin,Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop John McDowell, Presbyterian Moderator Rev Dr William Henry and Methodist President Rev Dr Ivan Patterson.
Under the latest restrictions for the Republic, announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last Friday, places of worship where social distancing can be maintained may be reopened on July 20th.
From then too, in phase four, small weddings, baptisms and such social gatherings involving family and close friends may take place but will be limited to a maximum number of attendees for a limited period of time where social distancing can be maintained.
READ MORE
More immediately, in phase two, from June 8th, slightly larger numbers than now may be permitted at funeral Masses where social distancing can be maintained, but will still be confined to immediate family or close friends. At present a maximum of 10 people may attend a funeral Mass.
In their statment the church leaders commended “our ministers and clergy for their prayerful and creative use of various online platforms and other means that have brought encouragement, through God’s word and through prayer, to His scattered people.
“At the same time, we lament the fact that our congregations are unable to gather together in person for worship. We recognise, however, as we have said previously, that to be a community in the real sense of the word, means that as individuals we acknowledge our interdependence,” they said.
In terms of Northern Ireland the church leaders said that “at this time, we are not calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to remove the current general restrictions on gathering together for church services, but we are asking that the issue is kept under regular review, so that when it is safe to do so there can be an easing of these restrictions.”
On the issue of church buildings being permitted to open for individual visits and private prayer, where this was desired locally, they felt that “where the medical and scientific advice indicates that this limited step is possible, we would urge the Executive to consider easing this particular restriction sooner rather than later”.
They concluded “over the past number of weeks, we have seen the vast majority of the people embracing these challenging, but very necessary, restrictions - working together for the benefit and good of all. We give thanks for this demonstration of love and concern for all in our community.
“As we enter into the second full month of this emergency on our island, we urge everyone to remain resolute and vigilant, encouraging one another on, so that we can come through this together.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Match unemployed with nursing home jobs, urges leading doctor

The Government should consider “ matching ” people made unemployed in the coronavirus pandemic with nursing homes battling outbreaks of infection with severe staff shortages , a leading infectious diseases specialist has said .
Prof Sam McConkey of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI ) said there has been “ massive national dysfunctional matching ” in the pandemic , with more than 700,000 out of work on State unemployment and wage subsidies , while nursing homes are depleted of key staff .
“ It is a challenge and a tragedy that with all these people unemployed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done , our current employment structures are not matching those , ” he said .
“ There is a real need for a piece of work to be done quite quickly to try and get people who want jobs into the jobs that are clearly there.
” The country ’ s nursing homes have reported hundreds of staff out on sick leave with Covid-19 or self-isolating with suspected symptoms , leaving the elderly care homes struggling to cope and more than 200 facilities with clusters of infection under deep strain trying to stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortages not just among nursing and healthcare staff but among cleaning and catering staff required to keep the homes open during the pandemic .
The HSE has redeployed just 217 nurses and healthcare staff to nursing homes .
Prof McConkey defended the HSE , saying that it did not operate “ a command and control ” structure where it could simply redirect staff to work in nursing homes .
The doctor said that a solution may lie in the Government and Minister for Health Simon Harris talking to nursing homes to “ try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way of mobilising some of the 700,000 people who are on benefits to help the nursing home owners ” .
Some privately owned nursing homes have criticised the HSE ’ s “ Be on call for Ireland ” recruitment drive , saying that they have not received any additional staff under the initiative .
Ann Fitzpatrick , owner of and a nurse at St Theresa ’ s Nursing Home in Thurles , Co Tipperary , said she would have to close her Covid-free 30-resident home if she had to go off duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ireland ’ is about the HSE ; it is not about nursing homes , ” she said .
She criticised the Government ’ s plan to mass-test nursing home residents and staff for Covid-19 without a follow-up plan to help homes replace staff who have to self-isolate if they test positive .
“ It is absolute madness .
I understand it has to be done but a lot of staff could be positive and they all have to isolate for two weeks , but who is going to mind the residents ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend that almost 2,000 people recruited through the “ Be on call for Ireland ” drive , launched by the Government on St Patrick ’ s Day to boost the medical frontline for the coronavirus pandemic , are either working or ready and available to work .
It said on Saturday that just 57 of these recruits have begun working , 553 are “ job ready ” and 500 are “ available ” when needed .
Some 880 student nurses who applied were progressed through a separate stream and are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acute hospitals .
This combined total of 1,990 to come through the “ Be on call for Ireland ” drive amounts to less than 3 per cent of the 73,000 people who applied to help the health service through this crisis .
The HSE said “ the vast majority ” of applicants were not healthcare professionals .
The health service has hired the recruitment company CPL , which provides subcontractors to Facebook and other large employers , to support the recruitment drive “ due to the strain on existing HSE resources to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman said .
The public health service declined to disclose what it was paying the private company , saying that the rate of pay was “ commercially sensitive ” .
Three-month contracts of employment through the recruitment drive will be with CPL , and not the HSE , but the HSE stressed that those recruited would be paid the same as HSE employees and their contracts could be extended , depending on the needs of the healthcare service .

A sign outside a nursing home in Dublin urging people not to visit due to Covid-19. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The Government should consider “matching” people made unemployed in the coronavirus pandemic with nursing homes battling outbreaks of infection with severe staff shortages, a leading infectious diseases specialist has said.
Prof Sam McConkey of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) said there has been "massive national dysfunctional matching" in the pandemic, with more than 700,000 out of work on State unemployment and wage subsidies, while nursing homes are depleted of key staff.
“It is a challenge and a tragedy that with all these people unemployed and all these jobs that need to be done, our current employment structures are not matching those,” he said.
“There is a real need for a piece of work to be done quite quickly to try and get people who want jobs into the jobs that are clearly there.”
READ MORE
The country’s nursing homes have reported hundreds of staff out on sick leave with Covid-19 or self-isolating with suspected symptoms, leaving the elderly care homes struggling to cope and more than 200 facilities with clusters of infection under deep strain trying to stem outbreaks.
Nursing homes have reported staff shortages not just among nursing and healthcare staff but among cleaning and catering staff required to keep the homes open during the pandemic.
The HSE has redeployed just 217 nurses and healthcare staff to nursing homes.
‘Command and control’
Prof McConkey defended the HSE, saying that it did not operate “a command and control” structure where it could simply redirect staff to work in nursing homes.
The doctor said that a solution may lie in the Government and Minister for Health Simon Harris talking to nursing homes to "try to work out solutions together and find a way of mobilising some of the 700,000 people who are on benefits to help the nursing home owners".
Some privately owned nursing homes have criticised the HSE’s “Be on call for Ireland” recruitment drive, saying that they have not received any additional staff under the initiative.
Ann Fitzpatrick, owner of and a nurse at St Theresa's Nursing Home in Thurles, Co Tipperary, said she would have to close her Covid-free 30-resident home if she had to go off duty.
“The ‘Be on call for Ireland’ is about the HSE; it is not about nursing homes,” she said.
She criticised the Government’s plan to mass-test nursing home residents and staff for Covid-19 without a follow-up plan to help homes replace staff who have to self-isolate if they test positive.
“It is absolute madness. I understand it has to be done but a lot of staff could be positive and they all have to isolate for two weeks, but who is going to mind the residents?” she said.
The HSE said over the weekend that almost 2,000 people recruited through the “Be on call for Ireland” drive, launched by the Government on St Patrick’s Day to boost the medical frontline for the coronavirus pandemic, are either working or ready and available to work.
Separate stream
It said on Saturday that just 57 of these recruits have begun working, 553 are “job ready” and 500 are “available” when needed.
Some 880 student nurses who applied were progressed through a separate stream and are working as health care assistants in community and acute hospitals.
This combined total of 1,990 to come through the “Be on call for Ireland” drive amounts to less than 3 per cent of the 73,000 people who applied to help the health service through this crisis.
The HSE said “the vast majority” of applicants were not healthcare professionals.
The health service has hired the recruitment company CPL, which provides subcontractors to Facebook and other large employers, to support the recruitment drive "due to the strain on existing HSE resources to meet the Covid-19 challenge", a HSE spokeswoman said.
The public health service declined to disclose what it was paying the private company, saying that the rate of pay was “commercially sensitive”.
Three-month contracts of employment through the recruitment drive will be with CPL, and not the HSE, but the HSE stressed that those recruited would be paid the same as HSE employees and their contracts could be extended, depending on the needs of the healthcare service.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Warning of ‘apocalyptic’ surge in non Covid-19 waiting lists

Plans are being drawn up to treat thousands of patients not infected by Covid-19 as the health service attempts to play catch-up after two months in which normal services were shut down .
The move comes as one senior doctor warned of an “ apocalyptic ” surge in hospital waiting lists over the coming months as the profession struggles to perform operations while keeping patients apart to stem the spread of coronavirus .
The number of procedures that can safely be carried out daily is likely to halve as strict social distancing and other infection control measures are implemented , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Irish Hospital Consultants Association .
Patients requiring treatment for urgent conditions such as cardiac problems and cancer will be prioritised under the new approach , officials indicated on Sunday .
Health Service Executive ( HSE ) chief executive Paul Reid committed to publishing the plan but did not say when it would be completed .
Mr Reid said occupancy levels in hospitals would have to be limited to 80 per cent – instead of the normal level of over 95 per cent – to allow for safe levels of operation .
Much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be delivered in private hospitals , which are currently working at just one-third capacity .
However , Mr Reid said spare capacity would have to be maintained in the system in case of a second wave of the virus later this year .
“ If there is any concern about a second surge there will be a step-back on the easing of restrictions , ” HSE integrated care lead Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain said .
All routine elective procedures were halted at the beginning of April to free up space and medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
Under the Government ’ s road map to reopening the country , elective procedures can resume in “ phase one ” , which starts on May 18th .
The number of patients in Ireland waiting to be seen by a specialist – already the highest in Europe – will “ only be growing and growing ” until there is a vaccine developed , Dr Colleran told The Irish Times .
She said there will be a “ huge impact ” from cancelled appointments , procedures and operations as well as new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 clusters in hospitals as they open up again to routine care .
“ I don ’ t like to be dramatic or cause fear in patients , but this is going to be apocalyptic , ” she said .
Dr Colleran added she was “ massively worried ” about a rise in morbidity and mortality for people with conditions unrelated to Covid-19 – including cancer , stroke and heart disease – because of delays in seeing patients .
“ In two or three years ’ time when we are doing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling this , we have to look at all the deaths .
“ It ’ s not just how many people died from Covid , if our outcomes from stroke , or cancer , or heart disease go through the floor and we have way more deaths because people aren ’ t coming to hospital , because they are scared , or their surgery was delayed , that is all part of the impact.
” Many Irish hospitals are unsuited to the new social distancing rules required to allow services to resume .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing for Covid-19 , and infection control requirements are likely to require a move to virtual clinics and electronic charts .
In addition , throughput in operating theatres and other clinical settings will fall because staff will have to don and doff protective clothing regularly .
A further 19 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died , the National Public Health Emergency Team disclosed on Sunday .
There have now been a total of 1,303 deaths associated with the disease in Ireland , it said in its latest update on Sunday .
Another 330 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This brings the total number of cases to 21,506 .

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said occupancy levels in hospitals would have to be limited to 80 per cent – instead of the normal level of over 95 per cent – to allow for safe levels of operation. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
Plans are being drawn up to treat thousands of patients not infected by Covid-19 as the health service attempts to play catch-up after two months in which normal services were shut down.
The move comes as one senior doctor warned of an “apocalyptic” surge in hospital waiting lists over the coming months as the profession struggles to perform operations while keeping patients apart to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The number of procedures that can safely be carried out daily is likely to halve as strict social distancing and other infection control measures are implemented, said Dr Gabrielle Colleran, vice-president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association.
Patients requiring treatment for urgent conditions such as cardiac problems and cancer will be prioritised under the new approach, officials indicated on Sunday.
READ MORE
Health Service Executive (HSE) chief executive Paul Reid committed to publishing the plan but did not say when it would be completed.
Mr Reid said occupancy levels in hospitals would have to be limited to 80 per cent – instead of the normal level of over 95 per cent – to allow for safe levels of operation.
Much of the treatment for non Covid-19 patients will be delivered in private hospitals, which are currently working at just one-third capacity.
Second wave
However, Mr Reid said spare capacity would have to be maintained in the system in case of a second wave of the virus later this year.
“If there is any concern about a second surge there will be a step-back on the easing of restrictions,” HSE integrated care lead Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain said.
All routine elective procedures were halted at the beginning of April to free up space and medical staff for a feared spike in Covid-19 patients.
Under the Government’s road map to reopening the country, elective procedures can resume in “phase one”, which starts on May 18th.
The number of patients in Ireland waiting to be seen by a specialist – already the highest in Europe – will “only be growing and growing” until there is a vaccine developed, Dr Colleran told The Irish Times.
She said there will be a “huge impact” from cancelled appointments, procedures and operations as well as new measures being implemented to control any outbreaks of Covid-19 clusters in hospitals as they open up again to routine care.
“I don’t like to be dramatic or cause fear in patients, but this is going to be apocalyptic,” she said.
Dr Colleran added she was “massively worried” about a rise in morbidity and mortality for people with conditions unrelated to Covid-19 – including cancer, stroke and heart disease – because of delays in seeing patients.
‘Post-match analysis’
“In two or three years’ time when we are doing our post-match analysis of how well we did handling this, we have to look at all the deaths.
“It’s not just how many people died from Covid, if our outcomes from stroke, or cancer, or heart disease go through the floor and we have way more deaths because people aren’t coming to hospital, because they are scared, or their surgery was delayed, that is all part of the impact.”
Many Irish hospitals are unsuited to the new social distancing rules required to allow services to resume.
Both patients and staff will require repeated testing for Covid-19, and infection control requirements are likely to require a move to virtual clinics and electronic charts.
In addition, throughput in operating theatres and other clinical settings will fall because staff will have to don and doff protective clothing regularly.
A further 19 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, the National Public Health Emergency Team disclosed on Sunday.
There have now been a total of 1,303 deaths associated with the disease in Ireland, it said in its latest update on Sunday.
Another 330 new confirmed cases were also reported. This brings the total number of cases to 21,506.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--‘Plan B’ for Leaving Cert exams under active consideration

A contingency plan for awarding grades to Leaving Certificate students in the event that summer exams are cancelled is being actively examined by senior officials , according to well-placed sources .
It is understood that detailed planning for how a “ plan B ” could work has been stepped up in recent times with a focus on what role teachers might play in determining students ’ grades in the absence of an exam .
A broad outline of the plans is likely to be discussed with education stakeholders later this week .
However , a spokesman for the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to proceed with Leaving Cert exams on July 29th , subject to public health advice .
“ Planning for the Leaving Cert is still being discussed , including through the advisory group set up by the department involving education stakeholders .
It is still hoped to bring just Leaving Cert students back in July , subject to adequate planning and public health advice , ” the spokesman said .
The lack of a reference to the Leaving Cert exams in the Government ’ s roadmap for reopening society published on Friday prompted fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would go ahead .
A department spokesman said this roadmap was a general guide rather than a detailed plan and no significance should be read into the fact that the exams were not referenced .
However , the document prompted Fianna Fáil at the weekend to call for the exams to be cancelled and replaced with a “ fair alternative ” .
Thomas Byrne TD , the party ’ s education spokesman , said the omission of the Leaving Cert in the Government ’ s roadmap was a “ huge oversight ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Leaving Cert students ” .
“ I believe the Government can not continue to adopt this wait-and-see approach with the Leaving Cert .
It is becoming clearer with every week that passes that it is simply not tenable for it to proceed , ” he said .
Mr Byrne said he had discussed alternatives with some universities and with Minister for Education Joe McHugh , adding : “ They do exist and we must now switch our focus to them .
The current situation is unacceptable and unfair and is causing untold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , Labour ’ s education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin criticised Fianna Fáil ’ s “ knee-jerk ” stance on calling for the cancellation of the Leaving Cert without providing viable alternatives .
“ I have called on the Minister to outline a plan B , but what I am certain on is that predictive grading is not the right solution , as it would benefit the better-off , ” he said .
He said such an alternative would disadvantage less well-off students who were already struggling with the digital divide and lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the cancellation of the Leaving Cert should be putting forward a credible alternative entry mechanism for third-level places .
Such calls simply cause more mental stress and anguish for students , and add to the growing uncertainty about the Leaving Cert , ” Mr Ó Ríordáin said .
“ We are open to all alternatives that will protect the health and mental health of students , and will uphold the integrity of the exams process but playing to the gallery just adds further uncertainty.
” Mr McHugh has previously stated that using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unfair as there was “ too much inherent bias ” in a system where teachers ’ graded their own students .
He has also pointed out that students who miss out on courses by a small margin would feel especially aggrieved .
It is understood that any alternative may not be termed predictive or expected grades , but could still involve grades being applied to students .
For example , the State Examinations Commission operates a system called “ assessed grades ” in cases where some or all of a student ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to “ unique , unforeseen and exceptional ” circumstances .
The process involves requesting an estimate from the student ’ s school on the likely result the student would have received based on their prior coursework and their performance relative to other students .
A total of 148 students were awarded these assessed grades last year .
The equivalent figure for 2018 was 116 students , with 116 in 2017 and 159 in 2016 .

A spokesman for the Department of Education said the Government was still planning to proceed with Leaving Cert exams on July 29th, subject to public health advice.
A contingency plan for awarding grades to Leaving Certificate students in the event that summer exams are cancelled is being actively examined by senior officials, according to well-placed sources.
It is understood that detailed planning for how a “plan B” could work has been stepped up in recent times with a focus on what role teachers might play in determining students’ grades in the absence of an exam.
A broad outline of the plans is likely to be discussed with education stakeholders later this week.
However, a spokesman for the Department of Education said the Government was still planning to proceed with Leaving Cert exams on July 29th, subject to public health advice.
READ MORE
“Planning for the Leaving Cert is still being discussed, including through the advisory group set up by the department involving education stakeholders. It is still hoped to bring just Leaving Cert students back in July, subject to adequate planning and public health advice,” the spokesman said.
The lack of a reference to the Leaving Cert exams in the Government’s roadmap for reopening society published on Friday prompted fresh uncertainty at the weekend over whether they would go ahead .
A department spokesman said this roadmap was a general guide rather than a detailed plan and no significance should be read into the fact that the exams were not referenced.
‘Fair alternative’
However, the document prompted Fianna Fáil at the weekend to call for the exams to be cancelled and replaced with a "fair alternative".
Thomas Byrne TD, the party's education spokesman, said the omission of the Leaving Cert in the Government's roadmap was a "huge oversight" and added to the "already heightened anxiety among Leaving Cert students".
“I believe the Government cannot continue to adopt this wait-and-see approach with the Leaving Cert. It is becoming clearer with every week that passes that it is simply not tenable for it to proceed,” he said.
Mr Byrne said he had discussed alternatives with some universities and with Minister for Education Joe McHugh, adding: “They do exist and we must now switch our focus to them. The current situation is unacceptable and unfair and is causing untold psychological damage to these students.”
On Sunday, Labour’s education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin criticised Fianna Fáil’s “knee-jerk” stance on calling for the cancellation of the Leaving Cert without providing viable alternatives.
“I have called on the Minister to outline a plan B, but what I am certain on is that predictive grading is not the right solution, as it would benefit the better-off,” he said.
He said such an alternative would disadvantage less well-off students who were already struggling with the digital divide and lack of resources.
Entry mechanism
“Anyone out calling for the cancellation of the Leaving Cert should be putting forward a credible alternative entry mechanism for third-level places. Such calls simply cause more mental stress and anguish for students, and add to the growing uncertainty about the Leaving Cert,” Mr Ó Ríordáin said.
“We are open to all alternatives that will protect the health and mental health of students, and will uphold the integrity of the exams process but playing to the gallery just adds further uncertainty.”
Mr McHugh has previously stated that using predicted or expected grades for students would be unfair as there was “too much inherent bias” in a system where teachers’ graded their own students.
He has also pointed out that students who miss out on courses by a small margin would feel especially aggrieved.
It is understood that any alternative may not be termed predictive or expected grades, but could still involve grades being applied to students.
For example, the State Examinations Commission operates a system called "assessed grades" in cases where some or all of a student's work in not available for marking due to "unique, unforeseen and exceptional" circumstances.
The process involves requesting an estimate from the student’s school on the likely result the student would have received based on their prior coursework and their performance relative to other students.
A total of 148 students were awarded these assessed grades last year. The equivalent figure for 2018 was 116 students, with 116 in 2017 and 159 in 2016.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Young people 'disproportionately affected' by Covid-19 related job losses

Young people have been “ disproportionately affected ” by job losses in recent weeks , according to the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) .
And they have been hit not just by a loss of income but also by social stigma , some students say .
“ You get a lot of welfare hatred on Twitter and Facebook towards young people , ” says final-year Trinity College Dublin student Michael Dooley , who applied for the State ’ s Covid-19 unemployment payment after he lost a planned six-month paid internship .
“ I know some people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment .
Some of them worked nearly full time before the pandemic but have decided not to apply because of that guilt .
But it ’ s everyone ’ s tax money , it ’ s very misguided.
” More than half of people aged 18-24 who were working before the coronavirus pandemic are now claiming the State pandemic unemployment payment .
In contrast , just over 20 per cent of workers aged 25-34 are availing of the payment .
“ The scale of job losses is astronomical and young people are bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Barra Roantree , who compiled the data .
Mr Dooley is one of the 135,000 people aged 18-24 who were working before the virus outbreak and are now claiming the State benefit .
Just days before the State lockdown was announced , the 22-year-old quit his full-time job in an off-licence in anticipation of taking up the paid internship .
“ Up until very late I was still convinced the new job was going ahead and , if not , it would be put on hold for a month or two .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to cut the whole programme .
“ This wasn ’ t just an internship , it was very much a monetary requirement .
I worked my way through college .
I wasn ’ t just losing an opportunity , I had lost financial security.
” Mr Dooley struggled to secure the Covid-19 unemployment payment as he had left his full-time job voluntarily but he was granted it after four weeks , following his third application .
Union of Students in Ireland president Lorna Fitzpatrick says the lockdown has created deep uncertainty for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while those who relied on summer work to pay for fees and accommodation are at risk of dropping out .
“ In the previous recession there was the opportunity to travel abroad but this is a global downturn.
” Online rhetoric attacking young people for availing of State support was “ really harmful ” , she adds .
“ It ’ s very unhelpful to divide society into cohorts and target them individually at this time .
This virus doesn ’ t discriminate against anybody and we need to look at society in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 per cent of people working in the hospitality sector and more than half of those in construction are claiming the Covid-19 support payment .
High numbers of people working in the arts , administrative jobs and retail are also relying on pandemic support .
Dr Roantree expressed concern for the almost 100,000 renters who work in hospitality , construction and the arts and have lost their jobs and may now struggle to meet rent payments .
Central Statistics Office figures released earlier this month show the Republic ’ s unemployment rate trebled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , higher than the 16 per cent recorded at the peak of the financial crisis .
However , if those now availing of the payment are classified as unemployed the total rate of joblessness rises to 28 per cent , says Dr Roantree .

Michael Dooley quit his full-time job in an off-licence just days before the State lockdown was announced.
Young people have been “disproportionately affected” by job losses in recent weeks, according to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
And they have been hit not just by a loss of income but also by social stigma, some students say.
"You get a lot of welfare hatred on Twitter and Facebook towards young people," says final-year Trinity College Dublin student Michael Dooley, who applied for the State's Covid-19 unemployment payment after he lost a planned six-month paid internship.
“I know some people who feel very guilty about applying for the payment. Some of them worked nearly full time before the pandemic but have decided not to apply because of that guilt. But it’s everyone’s tax money, it’s very misguided.”
READ MORE
More than half of people aged 18-24 who were working before the coronavirus pandemic are now claiming the State pandemic unemployment payment.
In contrast, just over 20 per cent of workers aged 25-34 are availing of the payment.
"The scale of job losses is astronomical and young people are bearing the brunt," says ESRI economist Dr Barra Roantree, who compiled the data.
Mr Dooley is one of the 135,000 people aged 18-24 who were working before the virus outbreak and are now claiming the State benefit.
Just days before the State lockdown was announced, the 22-year-old quit his full-time job in an off-licence in anticipation of taking up the paid internship.
“Up until very late I was still convinced the new job was going ahead and, if not, it would be put on hold for a month or two. But then I was told they were going to cut the whole programme.
“This wasn’t just an internship, it was very much a monetary requirement. I worked my way through college. I wasn’t just losing an opportunity, I had lost financial security.”
Mr Dooley struggled to secure the Covid-19 unemployment payment as he had left his full-time job voluntarily but he was granted it after four weeks, following his third application.
Uncertainty
Union of Students in Ireland president Lorna Fitzpatrick says the lockdown has created deep uncertainty for students who are about to graduate, while those who relied on summer work to pay for fees and accommodation are at risk of dropping out.
“In the previous recession there was the opportunity to travel abroad but this is a global downturn.”
Online rhetoric attacking young people for availing of State support was “really harmful”, she adds.
“It’s very unhelpful to divide society into cohorts and target them individually at this time. This virus doesn’t discriminate against anybody and we need to look at society in that way.”
Dr Roantree found nearly 70 per cent of people working in the hospitality sector and more than half of those in construction are claiming the Covid-19 support payment.
High numbers of people working in the arts, administrative jobs and retail are also relying on pandemic support.
Dr Roantree expressed concern for the almost 100,000 renters who work in hospitality, construction and the arts and have lost their jobs and may now struggle to meet rent payments.
Central Statistics Office figures released earlier this month show the Republic’s unemployment rate trebled to a record 16.5 per in March, higher than the 16 per cent recorded at the peak of the financial crisis.
However, if those now availing of the payment are classified as unemployed the total rate of joblessness rises to 28 per cent, says Dr Roantree.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: ‘Transplant for me means that I could get back to normal’

Sally Nagle from Co Cork , was due to receive a kidney transplant from her aunt this month but because of coronavirus , the surgery has been suspended until further notice .
Ms Nagle ( 28 ) , who is undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week at Cork University Hospital , was informed of the decision in recent weeks .
“ It was a little bit of a shock even though I can understand the reasoning why .
It ’ s just not knowing now when it might happen because they said it was suspended until further notice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m trying to stay positive because I know it will still come .
It ’ s just the unknown – will it be weeks , months ?
” Kidney , lung and pancreas transplants have all been paused “ for patient safety ” , the HSE has said .
Organ Donation Transplant Ireland said the national kidney transplant service at Beaumont Hospital advised that “ during this period of uncertainty and with careful consideration of the risks and benefits , they have paused kidney transplant activity , but this is under continuing review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered where possible , ” it said .
There are generally about 150-180 kidney transplants carried out every year .
Ms Nagle suffers from a rare bone disorder Ideopathic Multicentric Osteolysis and , as a result , suffered kidney failure aged 14 .
She received her first kidney transplant in 2008 , which lasted 11 years and has been on dialysis since last July .
“ It ’ s a rare condition and I ’ m the only case known in Britain and Ireland , ” she said .
“ The bones in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was younger , they deteriorated and formed a hard tissue instead of the bone .
“ I can walk , but wouldn ’ t be able to walk very long distances or play contact sports that are more prone to bone breakages.
” Ms Nagle , who has been working in childcare and heavily involved in voluntary work over recent years , hopes to pursue a career in event management following the transplant .
“ Transplant for me means that I could get back to normal , obviously not at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d be able to look at maybe going back to work and things that I wouldn ’ t really have the energy for at the moment , ” she said .
“ With life donation , it ’ s two people involved and the timing has to be right for both .
.
.
Trying to stay healthy is obviously always a worry , especially when I ’ m on dialysis and , overall , I ’ m keeping well .
“ But there ’ s nothing to say that if something was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will set us back so definitely worries do come with it but overall I ’ m trying to stay positive.
” Mark Murphy , chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association , said kidney transplants stopped in early March .
“ Everything has come to a complete halt , ” he said.
” Patients are in this limbo because they don ’ t know when it might happen , they haven ’ t been given any new dates .
People are frustrated but they understand it just can ’ t happen now @ @

Sally Nagle, from Montenotte, Co Cork, was to receive a kidney transplant next month.
Sally Nagle from Co Cork, was due to receive a kidney transplant from her aunt this month but because of coronavirus, the surgery has been suspended until further notice.
Ms Nagle (28), who is undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week at Cork University Hospital, was informed of the decision in recent weeks.
“It was a little bit of a shock even though I can understand the reasoning why. It’s just not knowing now when it might happen because they said it was suspended until further notice,” she said.
“I’m trying to stay positive because I know it will still come. It’s just the unknown – will it be weeks, months?”
READ MORE
Kidney, lung and pancreas transplants have all been paused “for patient safety”, the HSE has said.
Organ Donation Transplant Ireland said the national kidney transplant service at Beaumont Hospital advised that "during this period of uncertainty and with careful consideration of the risks and benefits, they have paused kidney transplant activity, but this is under continuing review".
“Donations are being actively considered where possible,” it said.
There are generally about 150-180 kidney transplants carried out every year.
Bone disorder
Ms Nagle suffers from a rare bone disorder Ideopathic Multicentric Osteolysis and, as a result, suffered kidney failure aged 14. She received her first kidney transplant in 2008, which lasted 11 years and has been on dialysis since last July.
“It’s a rare condition and I’m the only case known in Britain and Ireland,” she said. “The bones in my hands and feet, mainly when I was younger, they deteriorated and formed a hard tissue instead of the bone.
“I can walk, but wouldn’t be able to walk very long distances or play contact sports that are more prone to bone breakages.”
Ms Nagle, who has been working in childcare and heavily involved in voluntary work over recent years, hopes to pursue a career in event management following the transplant.
“Transplant for me means that I could get back to normal, obviously not at the moment with the crisis, but I’d be able to look at maybe going back to work and things that I wouldn’t really have the energy for at the moment,” she said.
“With life donation, it’s two people involved and the timing has to be right for both . . . Trying to stay healthy is obviously always a worry, especially when I’m on dialysis and, overall, I’m keeping well.
“But there’s nothing to say that if something was to happen, I could get something that will set us back so definitely worries do come with it but overall I’m trying to stay positive.”
Mark Murphy, chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association, said kidney transplants stopped in early March.
“Everything has come to a complete halt,” he said.”Patients are in this limbo because they don’t know when it might happen, they haven’t been given any new dates. People are frustrated but they understand it just can’t happen now.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-05--Tourism tide goes out for Clare Island

Tourism tide goes out for Clare Island

Padraig O ’ Malley is in his small grocery shop and post office on Clare Island on a wonderfully balmy , sunny day – clear blue sky above him and 7km of turquoise sea separating his island from the Mayo mainland .
“ It ’ s not getting to me , ” he says of the lockdown .
“ My routine hasn ’ t changed , but I have to be careful because I ’ m getting stuff from the mainland .
If I got [ the virus ] I ’ d have to close , and that ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by telephone from the shop , the island ’ s only one .
Each day he takes orders over the phone , and delivers them around the island , often to over-70s neighbours living on their own .
The lockdown , which by all accounts is being well observed on the west coast island , as well as the neighbouring island of Inisturk , means the ferry from Roonagh pier near Louisburg is bringing no one out who doesn ’ t live there – only food or other necessary supplies .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend by simply shutting down access , but full-time residents are also more vulnerable should the virus break through .
“ If it got to Clare Island it ’ d sweep around something phenomenal , ” says Alan O ’ Grady , skipper of the Sea Sprinter , one of two ferries his family runs between Clare Island pier and Roonagh .
“ That ’ s the thing about an island : it ’ s easy to keep something out , but once it gets in you ’ re in trouble .
Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a family .
Everybody known everybody else intimately.
” Shortly before he docked one day last week to take on post and a few bags of groceries from SuperValu in Westport , an Inisturk boat , the Naomh Ciaran II , crew members all wearing surgical gloves and masks , took on bags of logs but no passengers .
It then scurried back to Turk , Clare Island ’ s smaller and less populated neighbour , both of them sitting south of Achill at the mouth of Clew Bay .
Between them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ferry company , O ’ Malleys , bring 17,000 to 20,000 visitors , mainly day-trippers , to Clare Island every year , mostly between St Patrick ’ s Day or Easter , and late September/early October .
“ Even those who don ’ t get a financial kick from the tourists get a social kick from them , ” says O ’ Malley .
“ There are events organised for the summer months aimed at visitors , but which islanders also enjoy .
Well , that ’ s not going to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and how it has forced people to adapt could bring long-term benefits .
“ In many ways this shows the value , the real value , of places like the offshore islands .
People can work from anywhere if there ’ s the right infrastructure.
” He says the Government should incentivise infrastructure provision to out-of-the-way places .
Contracts should be awarded on the basis of “ deliver to the periphery and then , if you do that , you can have the cherry of the cities ” .
Alan O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re trying to get a digital hub going – well , we were before all this craziness got going – to try and create jobs .
There ’ s a few in IT from Clare Island working on the mainland , and if we had broadband on the island , which we were promised by Mayo County Council .
.
.
” His brother Carl runs a 42-bed hostel and a tourism company Clare Island Adventures , that offers packages of accommodation plus food and activities from hiking and orienteering to Fr Ted-themed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the financial implications of the crisis , he also looks to the future .
For the past two year he has serviced visits by the up-market Silverseas Cruises – 270 passengers visiting the island for a few hours of local food and some culture .
The successful partnership was to grow this year into whole-day visits to include sheepdog trials , whiskey-tasting and local children performing , giving a flavour of traditional Irish culture .
Passengers included many French , German and US tourists .
“ That was going to happen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they had to cancel , ” says Carl , somewhat forlorn .
“ They were so well received on the island before , and it was really exciting to see such a big ship come to us.
” For now Carl is turning his mind to his other venture – Clare Island Whiskey and the three alcohol-filled , recharred bourbon barrels maturing nicely for three years on board the family ’ s old wooden boat , the Dolphin .
It ’ s moored in the island ’ s small harbour , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oak inside it for added flavour .
He hopes that when ready and launched the aged-at-sea liquor will enhance the island ’ s can-do spirit , and dull the memory of the summer lost to coronavirus .

Padraig O’Malley is in his small grocery shop and post office on Clare Island on a wonderfully balmy, sunny day – clear blue sky above him and 7km of turquoise sea separating his island from the Mayo mainland.
“It’s not getting to me,” he says of the lockdown. “My routine hasn’t changed, but I have to be careful because I’m getting stuff from the mainland. If I got [the virus] I’d have to close, and that’d affect the island.”
He is speaking by telephone from the shop, the island’s only one. Each day he takes orders over the phone, and delivers them around the island, often to over-70s neighbours living on their own.
The lockdown, which by all accounts is being well observed on the west coast island, as well as the neighbouring island of Inisturk, means the ferry from Roonagh pier near Louisburgh is bringing no one out who doesn’t live there – only food or other necessary supplies.
READ MORE
With the Covid-19 outbreak the islands are easier to defend by simply shutting down access, but full-time residents are also more vulnerable should the virus break through.
“If it got to Clare Island it’d sweep around something phenomenal,” says Alan O’Grady, skipper of the Sea Sprinter, one of two ferries his family runs between Clare Island pier and Roonagh.
“That’s the thing about an island: it’s easy to keep something out, but once it gets in you’re in trouble. Big trouble. And an island is almost like a family. Everybody known everybody else intimately.”
Groceries
Shortly before he docked one day last week to take on post and a few bags of groceries from SuperValu in Westport, an Inisturk boat, the Naomh Ciaran II, crew members all wearing surgical gloves and masks, took on bags of logs but no passengers. It then scurried back to Turk, Clare Island’s smaller and less populated neighbour, both of them sitting south of Achill at the mouth of Clew Bay.
Between them the O’Grady ferries and the other ferry company, O’Malleys, bring 17,000 to 20,000 visitors, mainly day-trippers, to Clare Island every year, mostly between St Patrick’s Day or Easter, and late September/early October.
“Even those who don’t get a financial kick from the tourists get a social kick from them,” says O’Malley. “There are events organised for the summer months aimed at visitors, but which islanders also enjoy. Well, that’s not going to happen this year.”
However, he thinks the pandemic and how it has forced people to adapt could bring long-term benefits. “In many ways this shows the value, the real value, of places like the offshore islands. People can work from anywhere if there’s the right infrastructure.”
He says the Government should incentivise infrastructure provision to out-of-the-way places. Contracts should be awarded on the basis of “deliver to the periphery and then, if you do that, you can have the cherry of the cities”.
Carl O’Grady, who runs a 42-bed hostel and a tourism company Clare Island Adventures. He is also a cruise tour host and a whiskey-maker. Photograph: Peter Murtagh
Alan O’Grady agrees. “We’re trying to get a digital hub going – well, we were before all this craziness got going – to try and create jobs. There’s a few in IT from Clare Island working on the mainland, and if we had broadband on the island, which we were promised by Mayo County Council . . .”
Orienteering
His brother Carl runs a 42-bed hostel and a tourism company Clare Island Adventures, that offers packages of accommodation plus food and activities from hiking and orienteering to Fr Ted-themed hen parties. While trying to cope with the financial implications of the crisis, he also looks to the future.
For the past two year he has serviced visits by the up-market Silverseas Cruises – 270 passengers visiting the island for a few hours of local food and some culture. The successful partnership was to grow this year into whole-day visits to include sheepdog trials, whiskey-tasting and local children performing, giving a flavour of traditional Irish culture. Passengers included many French, German and US tourists.
“That was going to happen on May 26th, but, of course, they had to cancel,” says Carl, somewhat forlorn. “They were so well received on the island before, and it was really exciting to see such a big ship come to us.”
For now Carl is turning his mind to his other venture – Clare Island Whiskey and the three alcohol-filled, recharred bourbon barrels maturing nicely for three years on board the family’s old wooden boat, the Dolphin. It’s moored in the island’s small harbour, each barrel with a piece of island bog oak inside it for added flavour.
He hopes that when ready and launched the aged-at-sea liquor will enhance the island’s can-do spirit, and dull the memory of the summer lost to coronavirus.


theirishtimes--2020-05-05--Covid-19 visa woes: Filipino nurse ‘frightened’ to give birth alone

A Filipino dialysis nurse working in Dublin has said she is “ truly frightened ” about giving birth to her first child alone in a foreign country after her husband ’ s visa application was put on hold because of Covid-19 arrangements .
Andrea Maria Cruz , who has been working as a nurse in Ireland since 2017 , is due her baby on June 13th .
She and her husband , Rexter , applied for a visa last year so he could join her in Ireland .
The couple ’ s first application was refused because they were late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2020 in the hope that Rexter would secure the visa before the child ’ s birth .
“ Based on the wait my colleagues went through in applying for their partners , we thought it would take between two and six months so we sent in a letter explaining that I was due a baby , ” Ms Cruz said .
She also sent a letter to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service ( Inis ) from the National Maternity Hospital which recommended that her husband be granted a visa .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the hospital wrote .
“ This pregnancy was not planned and Andrea moved jobs recently .
This is a very stressful time for her.
” In late March , Ms Cruz learned the Department of Justice was putting all visa applications on hold for the foreseeable future in response to the spread of Covid-19 .
She hoped the immigration service would consider her situation as a “ priority/emergency ” case which could still be processed , and contacted immigration authorities numerous times seeking clarification .
For weeks Ms Cruz received automated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted by this journalist for comment on her case did she receive a personalised email stating that her husband ’ s visa application was under review .
Ms Cruz has recently stopped working after she discovered swelling in her left leg and was admitted to hospital for six days .
The scan of her leg was inconclusive but she was advised to take leave in case of blood clots in her legs .
Ms Cruz said she had friends in Ireland but they all worked in healthcare so were extremely busy right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d be away from my family at this time .
I tried to be strong about the situation but when Covid happened , that ’ s when everything became real and it ’ s so overwhelming now .
I feel helpless.
” She said she was jealous of new mothers who had spoken publicly about the challenge of limited visiting hours in maternity hospitals for partners during the pandemic .
“ Just imagine me coming home with my newborn all by myself .
I ’ ve already had to go through all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about labour , getting into a cab to get to the hospital all without assistance .
It ’ s not how I expected things would go .
“ I hope they [ immigration officials ] can realise how frightening this is for me being a first time mother in a foreign land.
” A spokesman for the Department of Justice said he could not comment on individual cases and that measures put in place for visa processing were part of the national response to tackling Covid-19 .
Emergency visas are processed only for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals , elderly care professionals , immediate family members of Irish citizens , diplomats and military personnel , he clarified , adding that these measures would remain in place until at least May 5th .
He noted that visa services usually operated through Irish missions , honorary consuls and visa offices worldwide and that the reopening of these offices would depend on coronavirus measures adopted in different countries .

A Filipino dialysis nurse working in Dublin has said she is “truly frightened” about giving birth to her first child alone in a foreign country after her husband’s visa application was put on hold because of Covid-19 arrangements.
Andrea Maria Cruz, who has been working as a nurse in Ireland since 2017, is due her baby on June 13th. She and her husband, Rexter, applied for a visa last year so he could join her in Ireland. The couple's first application was refused because they were late submitting a document so they reapplied in January 2020 in the hope that Rexter would secure the visa before the child's birth.
“Based on the wait my colleagues went through in applying for their partners, we thought it would take between two and six months so we sent in a letter explaining that I was due a baby,” Ms Cruz said.
She also sent a letter to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (Inis) from the National Maternity Hospital which recommended that her husband be granted a visa.
READ MORE
“This is Andrea’s first pregnancy,” the hospital wrote. “This pregnancy was not planned and Andrea moved jobs recently. This is a very stressful time for her.”
In late March, Ms Cruz learned the Department of Justice was putting all visa applications on hold for the foreseeable future in response to the spread of Covid-19. She hoped the immigration service would consider her situation as a “priority/emergency” case which could still be processed, and contacted immigration authorities numerous times seeking clarification.
For weeks Ms Cruz received automated answers and only after the department was contacted by this journalist for comment on her case did she receive a personalised email stating that her husband’s visa application was under review.
Rexter on the phone to his wife, Andrea Maria Cruz who is due their baby on June 13th.
I never imagined I'd be away from my family at this time . . . it's so overwhelming now. I feel helpless
Ms Cruz has recently stopped working after she discovered swelling in her left leg and was admitted to hospital for six days. The scan of her leg was inconclusive but she was advised to take leave in case of blood clots in her legs.
Ms Cruz said she had friends in Ireland but they all worked in healthcare so were extremely busy right now. “I never imagined I’d be away from my family at this time. I tried to be strong about the situation but when Covid happened, that’s when everything became real and it’s so overwhelming now. I feel helpless.”
She said she was jealous of new mothers who had spoken publicly about the challenge of limited visiting hours in maternity hospitals for partners during the pandemic.
“Just imagine me coming home with my newborn all by myself. I’ve already had to go through all the prenatal checks on my own and thinking about labour, getting into a cab to get to the hospital all without assistance. It’s not how I expected things would go.
“I hope they [immigration officials] can realise how frightening this is for me being a first time mother in a foreign land.”
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said he could not comment on individual cases and that measures put in place for visa processing were part of the national response to tackling Covid-19.
Emergency visas are processed only for a small cohort of people including healthcare professionals, elderly care professionals, immediate family members of Irish citizens, diplomats and military personnel, he clarified, adding that these measures would remain in place until at least May 5th.
He noted that visa services usually operated through Irish missions, honorary consuls and visa offices worldwide and that the reopening of these offices would depend on coronavirus measures adopted in different countries.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Patients warned on ‘sitting out’ ailments not linked to Covid-19

Doctors have cautioned patients against “ sitting out ” non Covid-19-related health complaints during the crisis but say a large backlog is likely in providing treatment as the system attempts to return to normal .
Endocrinologist Prof Donal O ’ Shea says a lot of his clinics have been successfully moved away from face-to-face and on to telehealth platforms .
“ We ’ re very surprised at how positive an experience it has been to date .
Whatever about seeing follow-up patients , we thought it would be very difficult to see new patients with just phone or visual support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proving not to be the case , and distance consultation are proving to be very effective 80 per cent of the time.
” However , the situation is different for surgery across a range of medical disciplines , “ where no phone or visual will do for you ” .
He foresees “ massive backlogs and build-up ” of lists in areas such as gastro-intestinal medicine , minor surgery and elective procedures such as endoscopy , due to the concerns over infection control .
With the system remaining in “ paralysis mode ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , Dr O ’ Shea says his biggest concern is that so many patients are “ sitting it out ” and not seeking any medical advice for ailments from primary care or in hospital .
“ Most advances in medical care in the last 30 years are built on earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention .
The later a person presents in any disease , the worse the outcome .
So the clear worry is that patients who may have a chronic disease , such as diabetes or cancer , are not presenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shea , who works at St Vincent ’ s University hospital , says emergency department attendances last week showed “ a bit of a comeback ” , and Friday was “ a normal day ” , numbers wise .
Today ’ s attendances will be “ interesting ” , he says , because the day after a bank holiday weekend is normally busy .
The HSE is now planning to ramp up non Covid-19 activity in hospitals once again but says capacity will have to be restricted to about 80 per cent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Shea says “ this will be a tough one to balance ” and is likely to involve “ keeping a lot of patients out of hospital ” .
“ When you ’ re in an environment where you actively want people to come to hospital and seek help , but at the same time you ’ re saying we can only operate at 80 per cent capacity , that ’ s a mismatch , it ’ s part of the contradictions you get in the middle of this situation .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlog of work , ” says respiratory consultant JJ Gilmartin .
“ This has affected cancer , COPD [ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ] , sleep medicine , everything , and pathways are going to have to be found to pick up again on all the non Covid-19 cases.
” Many of the patients Dr Gilmartin sees at Galway University Hospitals are developing COPD , which often starts off with a cough and progresses to breathlessness , by which time the patient may have lost half their lung function .
While the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple spirometry test , the earlier this happens the better for management of the condition .
What is the impact on patients ?
However , the tests have been cancelled along with so much other hospital work and Dr Gilmartin says he has been unable to see new referrals for several months .
“ You can ’ t deal with a new patient on a phone call , but genuinely terrified of coming into the clinics .
These people were cocooning before the word was known.
” Existing patients have missed out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group activity and the chance to network these provide .
“ Some feel that we must be awful busy in the hospitals and they don ’ t want to bother us .
But if they don ’ t act promptly when they suffer a flare-up they ’ ll get worst and may end up with prolonged hospitalisation.
” One doctor who himself required urgent medical attention in recent months admits “ I really didn ’ t want to go into hospital ” because of his fears over infection .
“ Things have improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of awareness of the risk and the protection provided to patients and staff , ” he says .

The HSE is planning to ramp up non Covid-19 activity in hospitals but says capacity will have to be restricted to about 80% to allow for infection control. File photograph: The Irish Times
Doctors have cautioned patients against “sitting out” non Covid-19-related health complaints during the crisis but say a large backlog is likely in providing treatment as the system attempts to return to normal.
Endocrinologist Prof Donal O’Shea says a lot of his clinics have been successfully moved away from face-to-face and on to telehealth platforms.
“We’re very surprised at how positive an experience it has been to date. Whatever about seeing follow-up patients, we thought it would be very difficult to see new patients with just phone or visual support. But in our specialty this is proving not to be the case, and distance consultation are proving to be very effective 80 per cent of the time.”
However, the situation is different for surgery across a range of medical disciplines, “where no phone or visual will do for you”.
READ MORE
He foresees “massive backlogs and build-up” of lists in areas such as gastro-intestinal medicine, minor surgery and elective procedures such as endoscopy, due to the concerns over infection control.
With the system remaining in “paralysis mode” for the past two months during the crisis, Dr O’Shea says his biggest concern is that so many patients are “sitting it out” and not seeking any medical advice for ailments from primary care or in hospital.
“Most advances in medical care in the last 30 years are built on earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention. The later a person presents in any disease, the worse the outcome. So the clear worry is that patients who may have a chronic disease, such as diabetes or cancer, are not presenting to primary care.”
Dr O’Shea, who works at St Vincent’s University hospital, says emergency department attendances last week showed “a bit of a comeback”, and Friday was “a normal day”, numbers wise. Today’s attendances will be “interesting”, he says, because the day after a bank holiday weekend is normally busy.
The HSE is now planning to ramp up non Covid-19 activity in hospitals once again but says capacity will have to be restricted to about 80 per cent to allow for infection control.
Dr O’Shea says “this will be a tough one to balance” and is likely to involve “keeping a lot of patients out of hospital”.
“When you’re in an environment where you actively want people to come to hospital and seek help, but at the same time you’re saying we can only operate at 80 per cent capacity, that’s a mismatch, it’s part of the contradictions you get in the middle of this situation.
“There’s going to be a big backlog of work,” says respiratory consultant JJ Gilmartin. “This has affected cancer, COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], sleep medicine, everything, and pathways are going to have to be found to pick up again on all the non Covid-19 cases.”
Many of the patients Dr Gilmartin sees at Galway University Hospitals are developing COPD, which often starts off with a cough and progresses to breathlessness, by which time the patient may have lost half their lung function.
While the disease is easy to diagnose, through a simple spirometry test, the earlier this happens the better for management of the condition.
What is the impact on patients?
However, the tests have been cancelled along with so much other hospital work and Dr Gilmartin says he has been unable to see new referrals for several months.
“You can’t deal with a new patient on a phone call, but genuinely terrified of coming into the clinics. These people were cocooning before the word was known.”
Existing patients have missed out on pulmonary rehab clinics as well as support group activity and the chance to network these provide.
“Some feel that we must be awful busy in the hospitals and they don’t want to bother us. But if they don’t act promptly when they suffer a flare-up they’ll get worst and may end up with prolonged hospitalisation.”
One doctor who himself required urgent medical attention in recent months admits “I really didn’t want to go into hospital” because of his fears over infection. “Things have improved a lot since this crisis started, in terms of awareness of the risk and the protection provided to patients and staff,” he says.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Irish priest working with Syrian refugees appeals for help

A Dublin priest working with Syrian refugee children in Lebanon has urged people not to lose sight of the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the world ’ s displaced people .
“ The situation is critical , all NGOs are gone .
People are starving , ” Fr William Stuart has told parishioners in Dalkey , Co Dublin , where he had previously served .
“ Like everywhere else we are in lockdown in Lebanon , ” the effect of which on the refugee population was “ drastic ” , he wrote in a stark message last month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground and are ‘ working from home ’ with the result that refugees are receiving no aid.
” From Clontarf in Dublin , Fr Stuart ( 59 ) is a Rosminian priest and works as a volunteer with Insan , a Lebanese NGO , in the coastal city of Tyre , as well as in the refugee camps .
He has had an involvement with the Middle East since 2003 , as well as serving in Dublin .
In 2018 , he set up a school in Tyre “ to get street kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some form of learning ” .
They teach 54 children aged eight to 17 , and while the building has been closed “ we have been distributing worksheets three times a weeks in Maths , Arabic and English ” , he told The Irish Times .
They have also been providing basic supports to students and their families with “ a food hamper of dry goods weekly and rent support where eviction is being threatened ” .
He said : “ I have taken the view that as an NGO we are frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ luxury of ‘ working from home ’ nor can we abandon the most vulnerable in this most difficult of times .
To my disappointment this view is not shared by the NGO sector who have wholescale abandoned ship.
” The most urgent need among the refugees was for food , he said .
“ With no sign of aid agencies and the body politic only helping the Lebanese , things are not good.
” Fr Stuart felt very reluctant to ask for help at this time .
“ With 22 per cent cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , “ but anything people can contribute would be very helpful.
” Anyone who wants to support Fr Stuart ’ s work can contact him at stresa2 @ gmail.com

A Dublin priest working with Syrian refugee children in Lebanon has urged people not to lose sight of the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the world's displaced people.
"The situation is critical, all NGOs are gone. People are starving," Fr William Stuart has told parishioners in Dalkey, Co Dublin, where he had previously served.
“Like everywhere else we are in lockdown in Lebanon,” the effect of which on the refugee population was “drastic”, he wrote in a stark message last month.
“All the NGOs have gone to ground and are ‘working from home’ with the result that refugees are receiving no aid.”
READ MORE
From Clontarf in Dublin, Fr Stuart (59) is a Rosminian priest and works as a volunteer with Insan, a Lebanese NGO, in the coastal city of Tyre, as well as in the refugee camps. He has had an involvement with the Middle East since 2003, as well as serving in Dublin.
In 2018, he set up a school in Tyre “to get street kids who are long-term out of school into some form of learning”. They teach 54 children aged eight to 17, and while the building has been closed“we have been distributing worksheets three times a weeks in Maths, Arabic and English”, he told The Irish Times.
They have also been providing basic supports to students and their families with “a food hamper of dry goods weekly and rent support where eviction is being threatened”.
‘Abandoned ship’
He said: “I have taken the view that as an NGO we are frontline people who don’t have the luxury of ‘working from home’ nor can we abandon the most vulnerable in this most difficult of times. To my disappointment this view is not shared by the NGO sector who have wholescale abandoned ship.”
The most urgent need among the refugees was for food, he said. “With no sign of aid agencies and the body politic only helping the Lebanese, things are not good.”
Fr Stuart felt very reluctant to ask for help at this time. "With 22 per cent cent unemployment in Ireland it is almost immoral," he said, "but anything people can contribute would be very helpful."
Anyone who wants to support Fr Stuart’s work can contact him at stresa2@gmail.com


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Lockdown tedium: Huge rise in traffic over long weekend as complacency grows

Traffic increased more than a third over the weekend compared to the Easter bank holiday as signs of complacency and frustration with the coronavirus lockdown start to surface .
There was an even bigger increase in the number of cars on the road on and near the Border with Northern Ireland as motorists from the North continue to exploit a loophole in the movement restrictions which allows them to travel into the Republic for non-essential reasons without facing penalty .
According to an Irish Times analysis of traffic data from the country ’ s 13 motorways , there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday and Saturday when compared to the Easter bank holiday weekend .
There was a similar 36 per cent increase in traffic on 18 roads which either cross the Border or run alongside it .
This increased to 38 per cent when only cars are counted .
By comparison , the equivalent rise between the two bank holiday weekends in 2019 was just 2 per cent .
It was zero per cent when only cars are counted .
The figures are based on data from Transport Infrastructure Ireland which operates dozens of traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend car traffic on several motorway sections was almost 50 per cent higher than it was on the Easter bank holiday , including on the M6 in Westmeath ( 46 per cent ) and M8 near Fermoy in Cork ( 44 per cent ) .
The M50 between Dundrum and Sandyford in south Dublin recorded an increase of more than 42 per cent compared to April ’ s long weekend .
On Friday the Government announced a road map for lifting of lockdown restrictions .
This will begin with the opening of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Garda said on several occasions over the weekend there had been good compliance with movement restrictions .
But individual officers who manned checkpoints in several counties said there was a noticeable increase in traffic .
Nonetheless , there was no large jump in arrests , said gardaí .
“ Everyone has their excuses ready .
We have no means of checking those excuses , ” said one officer .
“ There is definitely some complacency setting in everywhere , especially as the daily figures continue to improve , ” said another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 per cent on several cross-Border roads including on the N3 between Belleek in Fermanagh and Ballyshannon in Donegal which marked a 57 per cent increase .
The Border situation has been a source of growing frustration for gardaí in the region , with one commenting that it means they are policing “ with one hand tied behind our back ” .
Senior gardaí in the Border region have raised the issue with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris .
Some were under the impression that amending legislation was being planned to close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said there is no requirement for this .
Gardaí in the Border region believe next weekend is likely to have an even greater increase in traffic volumes as it is a bank holiday in the UK .
“ People are coming across the Border and on to west Donegal or Sligo , places like Bundoran .
It makes locals there wonder why they bother following the rules , ” said one garda .
While there was a large increase in traffic compared to the Easter bank holiday , it was still dramatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates in 2019 .
There were 72 per cent fewer vehicles on the motorways this weekend compared to the 2019 May bank holiday and 76 per cent fewer vehicles over the Easter bank holiday weekend compared to the same weekend in 2019 .

Officers who manned checkpoints in several counties said there was a noticeable increase in traffic. Photograph: Photograph: Rolling News
Traffic increased more than a third over the weekend compared to the Easter bank holiday as signs of complacency and frustration with the coronavirus lockdown start to surface.
There was an even bigger increase in the number of cars on the road on and near the Border with Northern Ireland as motorists from the North continue to exploit a loophole in the movement restrictions which allows them to travel into the Republic for non-essential reasons without facing penalty.
The current restrictions on social and economic life will be eased in stages from May 18th but from Tuesday two changes take effect. The limit for exercising from people's homes is being extended from 2km to 5km, and the recommendation that over-70s "cocoon" at all times is being adjusted to allow for outings with appropriate social distancing.
According to an Irish Times analysis of traffic data from the country’s 13 motorways, there was a 35 per cent increase in traffic on Friday and Saturday when compared to the Easter bank holiday weekend.
READ MORE
There was a similar 36 per cent increase in traffic on 18 roads which either cross the Border or run alongside it. This increased to 38 per cent when only cars are counted.
By comparison, the equivalent rise between the two bank holiday weekends in 2019 was just 2 per cent. It was zero per cent when only cars are counted.
The figures are based on data from Transport Infrastructure Ireland which operates dozens of traffic monitoring stations around the country.
This weekend car traffic on several motorway sections was almost 50 per cent higher than it was on the Easter bank holiday, including on the M6 in Westmeath (46 per cent) and M8 near Fermoy in Cork (44 per cent).
The M50 between Dundrum and Sandyford in south Dublin recorded an increase of more than 42 per cent compared to April's long weekend.
On Friday the Government announced a road map for lifting of lockdown restrictions. This will begin with the opening of some businesses and outdoor areas on May 18th.
The Garda said on several occasions over the weekend there had been good compliance with movement restrictions. But individual officers who manned checkpoints in several counties said there was a noticeable increase in traffic.
Nonetheless, there was no large jump in arrests, said gardaí. “Everyone has their excuses ready. We have no means of checking those excuses,” said one officer.
“There is definitely some complacency setting in everywhere, especially as the daily figures continue to improve,” said another.
There were traffic increases of more than 50 per cent on several cross-Border roads including on the N3 between Belleek in Fermanagh and Ballyshannon in Donegal which marked a 57 per cent increase.
Gardaí frustrated
The Border situation has been a source of growing frustration for gardaí in the region, with one commenting that it means they are policing “with one hand tied behind our back”.
Senior gardaí in the Border region have raised the issue with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Some were under the impression that amending legislation was being planned to close the loophole but the Government and Mr Harris has said there is no requirement for this.
Gardaí in the Border region believe next weekend is likely to have an even greater increase in traffic volumes as it is a bank holiday in the UK.
"People are coming across the Border and on to west Donegal or Sligo, places like Bundoran. It makes locals there wonder why they bother following the rules," said one garda.
While there was a large increase in traffic compared to the Easter bank holiday, it was still dramatically down on traffic levels for the same dates in 2019. There were 72 per cent fewer vehicles on the motorways this weekend compared to the 2019 May bank holiday and 76 per cent fewer vehicles over the Easter bank holiday weekend compared to the same weekend in 2019.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Covid-19 jobless face ‘multiple layers of uncertainty’, study finds

The “ multiple layers of uncertainty ” faced by people who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic are revealed in a study just under way .
Conducted by Dr Amie Lajoie , senior researcher with Tasc , the “ think tank for action on social change ” , the study is gathering experiences from people across the labour force .
It is “ imperative ” , she says , “ the experiences of workers are integrated in policy and practice both now and after the pandemic emergency ” .
Ten of the first interviews shared with The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from small business-owners struggling to stay afloat to workers experiencing difficulties with employers and private landlords , or , in some cases , the State when it comes to accessing the Covid-19 unemployment benefit .
“ Overall , attitudes and feelings of uncertainty pervaded the testimonies , ” says Dr Lajoie .
The people are aged between 23 and 64 and include students , people in managerial positions , a waitress , a barista , a restaurant owner and a returned emigrant working in event management .
One of the participants is Penny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and runs a 10-bedroom bed and breakfast on Inis Mór , Co Galway .
Her business , Tigh Fitz , operates between February and October .
“ We make hay when the sun shines , ” she says .
She needs a good season to pay the bills , including mortgage , insurance and ongoing maintenance , through the winter .
Her last guests arrived for a night on March 15th .
All April and May bookings were cancelled , and most of the business for June and July is gone too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time staff go , as well as a part-time worker .
“ It ’ s the same for most other businesses on the island – everything has just stopped .
The only business that ’ s going is the local shop .
It is huge worry for everyone on the island , what ’ s going to happen.
” She accessed the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment benefit of €350 a week without problems , though had huge difficulty getting clarity from her bank .
“ I was days trying to get through and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how or whether I ’ d get the three-month moratorium on repayments .
I got the answers eventually and I got the break , but it will still all have to be paid.
” The Taoiseach ’ s address last Friday , indicating tourism could restart in mid-August , cheered her .
“ We hope people won ’ t be afraid to travel .
I don ’ t think we ’ ll see too many from overseas .
I think we will be depending on the Paddies this year to visit us.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Emma ” ( 27 ) returned from Australia at Christmas and started a job as an events co-ordinator in Cork in February .
She was let go on March 6th .
“ They were really nice about it .
They were going to pay me for an additional week [ until March 13th ] and we were all in tears and they said they ’ d have me back in a heartbeat and they felt really bad that they had dragged me there.
” She had a “ mad hullabaloo getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confusion as to whether she finished work on the March 6th or 13th , and was initially put on jobseeker ’ s allowance of €203 a week .
“ I rent , and all four of us in the house became unemployed and have no income coming in – we are all on social welfare.
” She got a €75 reduction in her monthly rent .
“ Anthony ” ( 31 ) a fitness facilities manager in Galway , was “ very disappointed ” with how he and colleagues were laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first email that came out on that Thursday [ March 12th ] in the middle of the day and then by Friday morning [ March 13th ] , we were sent a second email : ‘ We ’ re closing today .
.
.
nobody gets paid a cent after today.
’ ” Accessing the Covid-19 benefit was “ a bit of an ordeal ” .
He has savings , but they were for his wedding .
He is worried about the future of his industry .
All interviewees thought the Government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection reveals how policies that concentrate solely on the importance of having a job , rather than what the job provides , are inadequate , ” says Dr Lajoie .
A job does not necessarily guarantee security , she says .
“ This is especially true in the face of unexpected events or shocks , as the current crisis has shown .
”

The “multiple layers of uncertainty” faced by people who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic are revealed in a study just under way.
Conducted by Dr Amie Lajoie, senior researcher with Tasc, the "think tank for action on social change", the study is gathering experiences from people across the labour force.
It is “imperative”, she says, “the experiences of workers are integrated in policy and practice both now and after the pandemic emergency”.
Ten of the first interviews shared with The Irish Times show a range of experiences from small business-owners struggling to stay afloat to workers experiencing difficulties with employers and private landlords, or, in some cases, the State when it comes to accessing the Covid-19 unemployment benefit.
READ MORE
"Overall, attitudes and feelings of uncertainty pervaded the testimonies," says Dr Lajoie.
The people are aged between 23 and 64 and include students, people in managerial positions, a waitress, a barista, a restaurant owner and a returned emigrant working in event management.
Bed and breakfast
One of the participants is Penny Fitzpatrick (64), who owns and runs a 10-bedroom bed and breakfast on Inis Mór, Co Galway.
Her business, Tigh Fitz, operates between February and October. "We make hay when the sun shines," she says.
She needs a good season to pay the bills, including mortgage, insurance and ongoing maintenance, through the winter.
Her last guests arrived for a night on March 15th. All April and May bookings were cancelled, and most of the business for June and July is gone too. She has had to let her three full-time staff go, as well as a part-time worker.
“It’s the same for most other businesses on the island – everything has just stopped. The only business that’s going is the local shop. It is huge worry for everyone on the island, what’s going to happen.”
She accessed the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment benefit of €350 a week without problems, though had huge difficulty getting clarity from her bank. “I was days trying to get through and then couldn’t get a straight answer about how or whether I’d get the three-month moratorium on repayments. I got the answers eventually and I got the break, but it will still all have to be paid.”
The Taoiseach’s address last Friday, indicating tourism could restart in mid-August, cheered her. “We hope people won’t be afraid to travel. I don’t think we’ll see too many from overseas. I think we will be depending on the Paddies this year to visit us.”
Other interviewees have been given pseudonyms. "Emma" (27) returned from Australia at Christmas and started a job as an events co-ordinator in Cork in February. She was let go on March 6th.
“They were really nice about it. They were going to pay me for an additional week [until March 13th] and we were all in tears and they said they’d have me back in a heartbeat and they felt really bad that they had dragged me there.”
She had a “mad hullabaloo getting access to the Covid payment” due to confusion as to whether she finished work on the March 6th or 13th, and was initially put on jobseeker’s allowance of €203 a week.
“I rent, and all four of us in the house became unemployed and have no income coming in – we are all on social welfare.” She got a €75 reduction in her monthly rent.
‘Very disappointed’
“Anthony” (31) a fitness facilities manager in Galway, was “very disappointed” with how he and colleagues were laid off.
“We were told by a first email that came out on that Thursday [March 12th] in the middle of the day and then by Friday morning [March 13th], we were sent a second email: ‘We’re closing today . . . nobody gets paid a cent after today.’”
Accessing the Covid-19 benefit was “a bit of an ordeal”. He has savings, but they were for his wedding. He is worried about the future of his industry.
All interviewees thought the Government was handling the pandemic well.
“This collection reveals how policies that concentrate solely on the importance of having a job, rather than what the job provides, are inadequate,” says Dr Lajoie. A job does not necessarily guarantee security, she says. “This is especially true in the face of unexpected events or shocks, as the current crisis has shown.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--Keep Department of Children, rights groups urge after reports of abolition

Sixty children ’ s rights organisations have called on political parties to retain the Department of Children following reports it is to be abolished as part of plans for a coalition government .
According to media reports , the responsibilities of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs are to be split across several ministries as part of a coalition deal between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael .
The expected move has prompted the 60 members of the Children ’ s Rights Alliance to call for the department to be retained in its current form .
“ We are deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children and Youth Affairs may be carved up in the next government , ” said Tanya Ward , chief executive of the Children ’ s Rights Alliance .
“ We have been in this position before .
We know that when responsibility and accountability are fragmented between departments , so too are the services and supports for children and young people .
“ Without a Minister for children at the Cabinet table we ’ re concerned that the recovery will be too focused on the economy and not on those most vulnerable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of children and young people can not come last , ” she said .
The organisations , including Barnardos and ISPCC Childline , have written to all the parties involved in government-formation talks to retain the department .
“ This is a red-line issue for us and our members , ” Ms Ward said .

“Without a Minister for children at the Cabinet table we’re concerned that the recovery will be too focused on the economy and not on those most vulnerable and most need of support. The needs of children and young people cannot come last.” File photograph: Getty
Sixty children’s rights organisations have called on political parties to retain the Department of Children following reports it is to be abolished as part of plans for a coalition government.
According to media reports, the responsibilities of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs are to be split across several ministries as part of a coalition deal between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
The expected move has prompted the 60 members of the Children’s Rights Alliance to call for the department to be retained in its current form.
"We are deeply concerned about reports that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs may be carved up in the next government," said Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance. "We have been in this position before. We know that when responsibility and accountability are fragmented between departments, so too are the services and supports for children and young people.
READ MORE
“Without a Minister for children at the Cabinet table we’re concerned that the recovery will be too focused on the economy and not on those most vulnerable and most need of support. The needs of children and young people cannot come last,” she said.
The organisations,including Barnardos and ISPCC Childline, have written to all the parties involved in government-formation talks to retain the department.
“This is a red-line issue for us and our members,” Ms Ward said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-04--No need to use gloves when shopping or outdoors – HSE

There is no need to use gloves when shopping or outdoors to protect against Covid-19 , the Health Service Executive has advised .
Although the use of disposable and other types of gloves has become a common sight during the pandemic , the HSE is recommending against their use .
“ We do not recommend using gloves while doing your shopping or when you are out and about , ” says Prof Martin Cormican , HSE national lead for infection control .
“ If there are bugs on your gloves those bugs often end up on your hands when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can very easily end up in your mouth , nose and eyes .
“ It ’ s much better to clean your hands regularly and properly.
” Even in special settings such as hospitals where gloves are valuable there is still a need to perform hand hygiene when the gloves come off , he points out , and gloves are single-use for single patient care tasks .
The World Health Organisation also advises against the routine wearing of gloves to protect against Covid-19 .
Tuesday is WHO hand hygiene day .
Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly dispose of gloves and masks during the lockdown after reports of people dumping them on the ground .
Prof Cormican has consistently advocated against the use of face masks for general use .
However , the National Public Health Emergency Team is expected to recommend the use of “ face coverings ” in limited circumstances such as public transport and large retail outlets shortly , as part of a phased loosening of restrictions designed to curb the spread of the virus .
The HSE is also advising people to ensure they clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobiles , even if working from home .
In bathrooms , it says the “ real danger ” for infection is not the toilet but handles and taps .
Drying your hands with paper towel will reduce the bacterial count by about half , but using a hand dryer could increase it threefold because it blows out bacteria already living in the dryer ’ s warm , moist environment .

The World Health Organisation also advises against the routine wearing of gloves to protect against Covid-19. Photograph: Robyn Beck / AFP
There is no need to use gloves when shopping or outdoors to protect against Covid-19, the Health Service Executive has advised.
Although the use of disposable and other types of gloves has become a common sight during the pandemic, the HSE is recommending against their use.
"We do not recommend using gloves while doing your shopping or when you are out and about," says Prof Martin Cormican, HSE national lead for infection control.
“If there are bugs on your gloves those bugs often end up on your hands when you take the gloves off and from there they can very easily end up in your mouth, nose and eyes.
READ MORE
“It’s much better to clean your hands regularly and properly.”
Even in special settings such as hospitals where gloves are valuable there is still a need to perform hand hygiene when the gloves come off, he points out, and gloves are single-use for single patient care tasks.
The World Health Organisation also advises against the routine wearing of gloves to protect against Covid-19. Tuesday is WHO hand hygiene day.
Dublin City Council has urged the public to properly dispose of gloves and masks during the lockdown after reports of people dumping them on the ground.
Prof Cormican has consistently advocated against the use of face masks for general use. However, the National Public Health Emergency Team is expected to recommend the use of “face coverings” in limited circumstances such as public transport and large retail outlets shortly, as part of a phased loosening of restrictions designed to curb the spread of the virus.
The HSE is also advising people to ensure they clean the surfaces of computers, phones and mobiles, even if working from home.
In bathrooms, it says the “real danger” for infection is not the toilet but handles and taps. Drying your hands with paper towel will reduce the bacterial count by about half, but using a hand dryer could increase it threefold because it blows out bacteria already living in the dryer’s warm, moist environment.