theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Coronavirus: How a donation of laptops helps students cross the digital divide

For school principal Paula Stuart , the laptops donated to Belfast Model School for Girls are more than just laptops .
“ They mean that 45 children are going to have access to learning .
Without this project , they wouldn ’ t have had that.
” Hers is one of five secondary schools in north Belfast that have benefited from a donation of 225 laptops which will enable students to study at home while the schools remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak .
“ Some of our kids are brilliant , they ’ re very motivated , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re very clever , but through no fault of theirs , nor their family , they just don ’ t have access to the same resources and they ’ re therefore disadvantaged , and this situation is increasing or exacerbating their disadvantage again , ” Stuart explains .
“ Children have been accessing some of the learning online with their mobile phones , but some of the platforms aren ’ t compatible and the screens are very small .
“ Then they ’ re getting anxious , because they ’ re concerned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something they don ’ t , and they ’ re somehow going to be left behind.
” Dr Noel Purdy , director of the Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement at Stranmillis University College in Belfast , has written of the “ digital divide ” which has been exposed by the need for home schooling during the lockdown , and its potential to increase educational divides yet further .
One way of addressing this , he suggested , would be for the North ’ s Department of Education to make funds available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-income families unable to access online lessons .
The department said it already funded programmes in north and west Belfast to provide digital resources where there was a specific need , but it was “ happy to consider supporting schools in whatever way we can ” .
“ Work is ongoing across the education sector in collaboration with schools to determine what more could be done to support learners , ” a spokesman said .
At Belfast Model , laptops have been arriving for the students since Easter .
“ There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them , their anxiety will be reduced and their feeling of being less than someone else will have been addressed , ” says Stuart .
According to Paula Reynolds , chief executive of the Belfast Charitable Society which , along with the Halifax Foundation , the National Lottery Community Fund , Ulster University and the Ulster Community Investment Trust , has provided £50,000 to buy the computers , “ This is about equality of access and equality of opportunity.
” In this “ unprecedented ” situation , she explains , they realised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north Belfast ’ s post-primary schools simply didn ’ t have the equipment to keep studying at home .
As a parent herself , she is well aware of the new reality of home schooling .
“ You ’ re sitting at home with different devices and there ’ s never enough when you ’ ve got the kids at home , so you were therefore acutely aware there are children with none of this .
“ These kids are every bit as valuable and deserve everything as much as somebody at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1752 , the Belfast Charitable Society built a poor house and the first infirmary in Belfast , and still works to tackle disadvantage through philanthropy ; in recent years , it has built up a relationship with the five schools which are now to receive the laptops – Belfast Model School for Girls , Belfast Boys Model School , Mercy College , Hazelwood Integrated College and Blessed Trinity College .
North Belfast was badly affected by the Troubles ; areas such as Ardoyne , Woodvale and New Lodge remain among the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s effectively a patchwork quilt of areas which are part of different communities and these schools work across all of that , ” says Reynolds .
“ Nowadays it is also a much more diverse population than you would think , because there are quite a few other immigrant populations coming into areas of north Belfast.
” In Northern Ireland , children from low-income families are entitled to free meals at school , and their numbers are often used as a rough measure to gauge deprivation .
At Belfast Model School for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive free school meals .
“ Some of our kids come from the most deprived areas in the city .
You know families are struggling financially , ” says Stuart .
“ There is additional expense now in terms of food and running the home , and , therefore , spending that money on resources for learning , even though it ’ s very important to them , in real life , it ’ s not their priority.
” At the same time , even though the schools are closed , teachers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw the children in and keep them connected , to keep a sense of community going , a sense of belonging ” , Stuart says .
The laptops will leave their own legacy ; once this year ’ s students are finished with them they will be returned to the school , for loan to future students , or to be used as a mobile computer suite .
“ That funders can do this shows real belief in terms of the students ’ ability and their aspirations , ” says Stuart .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think it ’ s a real vote of confidence for the community .
“ It restores my faith in the goodness of human beings , ” she says .
“ I think through this Covid-19 , kindness will triumph .
”

Paula Stuart, principal of Belfast Model School for Girls in Belfast, with a consignment of laptops which have been donated to disadvantaged children. Photograph: Stephen Davison
For school principal Paula Stuart, the laptops donated to Belfast Model School for Girls are more than just laptops. "They mean that 45 children are going to have access to learning. Without this project, they wouldn't have had that."
Hers is one of five secondary schools in north Belfast that have benefited from a donation of 225 laptops which will enable students to study at home while the schools remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Some of our kids are brilliant, they’re very motivated, they’re very driven, they’re very clever, but through no fault of theirs, nor their family, they just don’t have access to the same resources and they’re therefore disadvantaged, and this situation is increasing or exacerbating their disadvantage again,” Stuart explains.
“Children have been accessing some of the learning online with their mobile phones, but some of the platforms aren’t compatible and the screens are very small.
READ MORE
“Then they’re getting anxious, because they’re concerned the rest of the cohort have access to something they don’t, and they’re somehow going to be left behind.”
Digital divide
Dr Noel Purdy, director of the Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement at Stranmillis University College in Belfast, has written of the "digital divide" which has been exposed by the need for home schooling during the lockdown, and its potential to increase educational divides yet further.
One way of addressing this, he suggested, would be for the North’s Department of Education to make funds available to provide iPads with free data plans to low-income families unable to access online lessons.
The department said it already funded programmes in north and west Belfast to provide digital resources where there was a specific need, but it was “happy to consider supporting schools in whatever way we can”.
“Work is ongoing across the education sector in collaboration with schools to determine what more could be done to support learners,” a spokesman said.
At Belfast Model, laptops have been arriving for the students since Easter. “There is a sense that, for at least some of them, their anxiety will be reduced and their feeling of being less than someone else will have been addressed,” says Stuart.
According to Paula Reynolds, chief executive of the Belfast Charitable Society which, along with the Halifax Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, Ulster University and the Ulster Community Investment Trust, has provided £50,000 to buy the computers, "This is about equality of access and equality of opportunity."
In this “unprecedented” situation, she explains, they realised that a high proportion of students in north Belfast’s post-primary schools simply didn’t have the equipment to keep studying at home.
As a parent herself, she is well aware of the new reality of home schooling. “You’re sitting at home with different devices and there’s never enough when you’ve got the kids at home, so you were therefore acutely aware there are children with none of this.
“These kids are every bit as valuable and deserve everything as much as somebody at the top of the Malone Road.”
Founded in 1752, the Belfast Charitable Society built a poor house and the first infirmary in Belfast, and still works to tackle disadvantage through philanthropy; in recent years, it has built up a relationship with the five schools which are now to receive the laptops – Belfast Model School for Girls, Belfast Boys Model School, Mercy College, Hazelwood Integrated College and Blessed Trinity College.
Deprived areas
North Belfast was badly affected by the Troubles; areas such as Ardoyne, Woodvale and New Lodge remain among the most deprived in Northern Ireland.
“It’s effectively a patchwork quilt of areas which are part of different communities and these schools work across all of that,” says Reynolds. “Nowadays it is also a much more diverse population than you would think, because there are quite a few other immigrant populations coming into areas of north Belfast.”
In Northern Ireland, children from low-income families are entitled to free meals at school, and their numbers are often used as a rough measure to gauge deprivation. At Belfast Model School for Girls, 61 per cent of students receive free school meals.
“Some of our kids come from the most deprived areas in the city. You know families are struggling financially,” says Stuart. “There is additional expense now in terms of food and running the home, and, therefore, spending that money on resources for learning, even though it’s very important to them, in real life, it’s not their priority.”
At the same time, even though the schools are closed, teachers are still trying “to reach out and draw the children in and keep them connected, to keep a sense of community going, a sense of belonging”, Stuart says.
The laptops will leave their own legacy; once this year’s students are finished with them they will be returned to the school, for loan to future students, or to be used as a mobile computer suite.
“That funders can do this shows real belief in terms of the students’ ability and their aspirations,” says Stuart. “It’s supporting their future, and I think it’s a real vote of confidence for the community.
“It restores my faith in the goodness of human beings,” she says. “I think through this Covid-19, kindness will triumph.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--GPs warn Covid-19 testing systems must improve to avoid repeat of delays

Expanded criteria will lead to more testing for coronavirus , but doctors have warned the system for testing and contact tracing must be more robust to avoid a repeat of long waiting times for results seen last month .
The Irish College of General Pracitioners ( ICGP ) said that the widened criteria , in place since Tuesday morning , will see more people becoming eligible for testing for the disease .
Patients now need to have just one of three symptoms – fever , cough or shortness of breath – and be part of a priority group to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the healthcare sector , or having a condition that may make them more vulnerable .
While the GPs ’ representative organisation welcomed the move , ICGP president Dr Mary Favier said : “ the HSE must ensure the capacity is there within the system to accommodate and manage the ramping up in the number of tests performed each week.
” The State ’ s capacity to carry out swabbing of people in the community , as well as laboratory analysis of samples , was severely curtailed in recent weeks due to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and analysis capacity has been built up in recent weeks , the restrictive criteria and an emphasis on testing residents and staff in nursing homes has limited the number of samples being taken in the community .
Senior HSE officials raised concerns last week with the Department of Health over plans to expand testing to a level of 15,000 per day , or 100,000 per week .
While a framework agreement between the two was agreed , the original aim to have built capacity to test at that level by last week has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve it by the middle of May .
Calling the adjustment to testing criteria a “ modest widening ” , Dr Favier also said the process of tracing close contacts of confirmed cases needed to function effectively in order for the State ’ s wider strategy to work .
Contact tracing was also affected by issues in March and early April , with technical issues delaying the start of work at some contact tracing centres .
Delays between samples being taken and results being delivered also limited effectiveness of the contact tracing process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timely and appropriately organised in order to deal with the anticipated rise in new cases revealed by increased testing .
If a test result is positive , Public Health must ensure they have the resources to quickly trace that person ’ s contacts to ensure we are then managing the ongoing spread of the disease .
“ Without this resource being widely and consistently available , we will see a further inevitable surge in infection rates .
Such a surge will place significant additional pressures on general practice and the wider healthcare services.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chief medical officer , said he believed the testing system had the capacity to deal with increased numbers of cases .
A rapid testing system , which moves quickly from sampling to lab results and contact tracing , is seen as a vital step to relaxing restrictions .
Frontline GPs expressed the belief that they would be able to deal with increased numbers of cases coming forward for referral .
Dr Tom O ’ Dowd , who works as a GP in Tallaght , said that in a four-hour stint on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who would not have been eligible for testing under the previous criteria .
“ In my own practice , we were very anxious and overwhelmed in the early stages [ of the pandemic ] ... if there is an upswing , I do think we ’ ll be better at it this time .
We have the systems in place now.
” During a short period when patients needed just one symptom to be eligible for testing , online referral systems crashed and the system was swamped by more than 15,000 referrals a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this led to significant delays in sending results to people who had been tested .
Anyone who suspects they may have symptoms of the virus , also known as Covid-19 , is advised to contact their GP free of charge for an assessment .

Patients now need to have just one of three symptoms – fever, cough or shortness of breath – and be part of a priority group to be eligible for coronavirus testing, such as working in the healthcare sector, or having a condition that may make them more vulnerable. File photograph: Francesca Volpi/Bloomberg
Expanded criteria will lead to more testing for coronavirus, but doctors have warned the system for testing and contact tracing must be more robust to avoid a repeat of long waiting times for results seen last month.
The Irish College of General Pracitioners (ICGP) said that the widened criteria, in place since Tuesday morning, will see more people becoming eligible for testing for the disease. Patients now need to have just one of three symptoms – fever, cough or shortness of breath – and be part of a priority group to be eligible for testing, such as working in the healthcare sector, or having a condition that may make them more vulnerable.
While the GPs' representative organisation welcomed the move, ICGP president Dr Mary Favier said: "the HSE must ensure the capacity is there within the system to accommodate and manage the ramping up in the number of tests performed each week."
The State’s capacity to carry out swabbing of people in the community, as well as laboratory analysis of samples, was severely curtailed in recent weeks due to a shortage of vital supplies. While sampling and analysis capacity has been built up in recent weeks, the restrictive criteria and an emphasis on testing residents and staff in nursing homes has limited the number of samples being taken in the community.
READ MORE
Senior HSE officials raised concerns last week with the Department of Health over plans to expand testing to a level of 15,000 per day, or 100,000 per week. While a framework agreement between the two was agreed, the original aim to have built capacity to test at that level by last week has now been replaced by a goal to achieve it by the middle of May.
‘Modest widening’
Calling the adjustment to testing criteria a “modest widening”, Dr Favier also said the process of tracing close contacts of confirmed cases needed to function effectively in order for the State’s wider strategy to work. Contact tracing was also affected by issues in March and early April, with technical issues delaying the start of work at some contact tracing centres. Delays between samples being taken and results being delivered also limited effectiveness of the contact tracing process.
“Contact tracing needs to be timely and appropriately organised in order to deal with the anticipated rise in new cases revealed by increased testing. If a test result is positive, Public Health must ensure they have the resources to quickly trace that person’s contacts to ensure we are then managing the ongoing spread of the disease.
“Without this resource being widely and consistently available, we will see a further inevitable surge in infection rates. Such a surge will place significant additional pressures on general practice and the wider healthcare services.”
Last week, Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, said he believed the testing system had the capacity to deal with increased numbers of cases. A rapid testing system, which moves quickly from sampling to lab results and contact tracing, is seen as a vital step to relaxing restrictions.
Frontline GPs expressed the belief that they would be able to deal with increased numbers of cases coming forward for referral. Dr Tom O'Dowd, who works as a GP in Tallaght, said that in a four-hour stint on Tuesday morning he referred just one person who would not have been eligible for testing under the previous criteria.
“In my own practice, we were very anxious and overwhelmed in the early stages [of the pandemic] ... if there is an upswing, I do think we’ll be better at it this time. We have the systems in place now.” During a short period when patients needed just one symptom to be eligible for testing, online referral systems crashed and the system was swamped by more than 15,000 referrals a day. Combined with the equipment shortages, this led to significant delays in sending results to people who had been tested.
Anyone who suspects they may have symptoms of the virus, also known as Covid-19, is advised to contact their GP free of charge for an assessment.


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Building work gets under way on Liffey cycle route

Steamrollers have taken to the Dublin city quays to finally begin work on the Liffey cycle route , which was first proposed almost eight years ago .
Dublin City Council is taking advantage of the much reduced traffic volumes in the city during the coronavirus pandemic to get working on the segregated path , that will eventually run from Phoenix Park in the west to the 3Arena in the east .
The need to reallocate more space to pedestrians and cyclists so they can safety maintain social distancing has also spurred the council into developing the route more quickly than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the council ’ s traffic department said .
“ We are undertaking various Covid-19 related measure to provide for safe cycling and more space for pedestrians and in this case the interim Liffey cycle route is progressing a lot quicker than previously anticipated.
” Work is under way this week at Inns Quay , opposite the Four Courts , and Ormond Quay , from the courts to Capel Street .
Car parking at the quayside has been removed and the road is being resurfaced for the riverside section of the route .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the cars were parked , so once that resurfacing work is completed , it will be replaced with the cycle track , which will be protected by a continuous fixed structure about half a metre high.
” The next stage will involve minor road works to take the route to and from the riverside to the sections where it runs along the other side of the road beside buildings .
The current work , which will concentrate on the area between the Phoenix Park and the Custom House , will involve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is expected to be completed by August .
While the route will be fully segregated on the north quays , cyclists will continue to share with buses on sections of the south quays until the full permanent route , which involves additional boardwalks over the river , is completed by the National Transport Authority in 2024 .
A new contraflow cycle lane is also being installed this week on Nassau Street and , when completed will run from Clare Street , beside the National Gallery to Dawson Street .
This work is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will also involve the reallocation of roadspace to pedestrians on both sides of the road .
There was a particular need to increase pedestrian space on the Trinity College side by removing bus parking , so that walkers could pass safely when people were queuing for buses .
This would become increasingly important as people returned to the city centre in the coming months , Mr O ’ Brien said .
“ Nobody knows how long this is going to last , but we are assuming the distancing measures we are putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be in place for a year and a half .
In some places they may then be unwound , but others may be permanent.
” The council last week requisitioned parking spaces for pedestrians outside shops at five locations , on Dorset Street , Stoneybatter , Capel Street , Fairview , and Rathmines .
Similar work is underway in Ranelagh this week and additional spaces are being reallocated in Rathmines , Mr O ’ Brien said .
“ We have an online form where people can request locations , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we are assessing at the moment .
”

Part of the proposed new cycle route along the Liffey at Aston Quay in Dublin.
Steamrollers have taken to the Dublin city quays to finally begin work on the Liffey cycle route, which was first proposed almost eight years ago.
Dublin City Council is taking advantage of the much reduced traffic volumes in the city during the coronavirus pandemic to get working on the segregated path, that will eventually run from Phoenix Park in the west to the 3Arena in the east.
The need to reallocate more space to pedestrians and cyclists so they can safety maintain social distancing has also spurred the council into developing the route more quickly than planned, Brendan O’Brien of the council’s traffic department said.
“We are undertaking various Covid-19 related measure to provide for safe cycling and more space for pedestrians and in this case the interim Liffey cycle route is progressing a lot quicker than previously anticipated.”
READ MORE
Minor road works
Work is under way this week at Inns Quay, opposite the Four Courts, and Ormond Quay, from the courts to Capel Street. Car parking at the quayside has been removed and the road is being resurfaced for the riverside section of the route.
“The road surface was in poor condition where the cars were parked, so once that resurfacing work is completed, it will be replaced with the cycle track, which will be protected by a continuous fixed structure about half a metre high.”
The next stage will involve minor road works to take the route to and from the riverside to the sections where it runs along the other side of the road beside buildings.
The current work, which will concentrate on the area between the Phoenix Park and the Custom House, will involve the removal of traffic lanes in some sections and is expected to be completed by August.
While the route will be fully segregated on the north quays, cyclists will continue to share with buses on sections of the south quays until the full permanent route, which involves additional boardwalks over the river, is completed by the National Transport Authority in 2024.
Contraflow lane
A new contraflow cycle lane is also being installed this week on Nassau Street and, when completed will run from Clare Street, beside the National Gallery to Dawson Street.
This work is part of Covid 19 distancing measures, and will also involve the reallocation of roadspace to pedestrians on both sides of the road.
There was a particular need to increase pedestrian space on the Trinity College side by removing bus parking, so that walkers could pass safely when people were queuing for buses. This would become increasingly important as people returned to the city centre in the coming months, Mr O’Brien said.
“Nobody knows how long this is going to last, but we are assuming the distancing measures we are putting in place here and throughout the city, will be in place for a year and a half. In some places they may then be unwound, but others may be permanent.”
The council last week requisitioned parking spaces for pedestrians outside shops at five locations, on Dorset Street, Stoneybatter, Capel Street, Fairview, and Rathmines. Similar work is underway in Ranelagh this week and additional spaces are being reallocated in Rathmines, Mr O'Brien said.
“We have an online form where people can request locations, and we have already had a raft of requests which we are assessing at the moment.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Farmer raises more than €11,000 for charity without leaving kitchen

A Co Roscommon farmer has raised over €11,000 for charities over recent weeks of Covid-19 restrictions without leaving his kitchen .
“ I decided to turn house arrest into an opportunity to do some good for national charities , ” said Will Keane , who lives near Knockcroghery , a village close to Lough Ree .
He began running quizzes from his kitchen table in aid of a different charity each week .
The idea was inspired by the recent cancellation of Daffodil Day ( which raises funds for the Irish Cancer Society ) due to the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Jack and Jill Foundation over many years , and decided this time to try out the concept online in a virtual live quiz .
“ The first fundraiser raised €2,500 for the Irish Cancer Society and those taking part expressed an interest in this being a weekly event , ” he said .
Since then the quizzes have raised more than € 11,000 for Crumlin Children ’ s Hospital , Alone , the Samaritans and Women ’ s Aid .
He “ wanted there to be two hours in the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I try and create as much fun as possible .
We have a live music round with me playing tunes on the melodica , badly , and each week we have a different theme where players send in pictures of themselves [ dressed up ] in that theme , ” he said .
Those taking part have , so far , dressed in daft hats , as cartoon characters , and as the cast of Father Ted .
With this week ’ s final quiz on Friday , May 1st , he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roscommon Hospice in honour of “ a friend of mine , Irene Beirne ” .
She had raised huge amounts of money for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice but “ sadly lost her own battle with cancer ” last year , he said .
Details are on Facebook under Will ’ s Kitchen Table Quiz for Mayo Roscommon Hospice .
The theme is “ county colours ” with participants encouraged to dress in their county or club colours .

Those taking part have in quizzes, so far, dressed in daft hats, as cartoon characters, and as the cast of Father Ted.
A Co Roscommon farmer has raised over €11,000 for charities over recent weeks of Covid-19 restrictions without leaving his kitchen.
"I decided to turn house arrest into an opportunity to do some good for national charities," said Will Keane, who lives near Knockcroghery, a village close to Lough Ree.
He began running quizzes from his kitchen table in aid of a different charity each week. The idea was inspired by the recent cancellation of Daffodil Day (which raises funds for the Irish Cancer Society) due to the pandemic.
The 39-year-old has been running quizzes in Knockcroghery for the Jack and Jill Foundation over many years, and decided this time to try out the concept online in a virtual live quiz.
READ MORE
"The first fundraiser raised €2,500 for the Irish Cancer Society and those taking part expressed an interest in this being a weekly event," he said. Since then the quizzes have raised more than € 11,000 for Crumlin Children's Hospital, Alone, the Samaritans and Women's Aid.
Final quiz
He “wanted there to be two hours in the week where we forgot about the coronavirus and I try and create as much fun as possible. We have a live music round with me playing tunes on the melodica, badly, and each week we have a different theme where players send in pictures of themselves [dressed up] in that theme,” he said.
Those taking part have, so far, dressed in daft hats, as cartoon characters, and as the cast of Father Ted.
With this week's final quiz on Friday, May 1st, he is hoping to raise funds for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice in honour of "a friend of mine, Irene Beirne". She had raised huge amounts of money for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice but "sadly lost her own battle with cancer" last year, he said.
Details are on Facebook under Will's Kitchen Table Quiz for Mayo Roscommon Hospice. The theme is "county colours" with participants encouraged to dress in their county or club colours.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Call for preparations for next winter’s flu season to begin immediately

Preparations for next winter ’ s flu season need to begin immediately , and should include the provision of that vaccine to children , according to a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation ( IM0 ) .
The health service is facing a possible “ double whammy ” from Covid-19 and flu next winter , and needs to minimise this by ensuring the widest possible uptake of the flu vaccine , according to Dublin GP Ray Walley .
“ We need to start planning for next winter now .
It ’ s going to be bad enough dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bad flu season .
Whatever happens things are going to be more complicated , and we have to do all we can to protect people.
” Dr Walley , who is vice-president of the standing committee of European Doctors ( CPME ) , said the HSE should consider extending the availability of flu vaccine to children , as happens in the UK .
“ We have to be aware that some children can act as super-spreaders , but vaccination for the flu , whether by droplet or injection , would help.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immunisation Office ( NIO ) has advised parents of new babies to get them vaccinated on time during the coronavirus epidemic as vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles , mumps , polio and whooping cough continue to be reported .
“ We know people are worried about Covid-19 , but other infectious diseases are also a threat .
And so vaccines for babies , pregnant women and people in at risk groups should continue at this time through GP practices , ” said NIO director Dr Lucy Jessop .
The Covid-19 outbreak has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mumps outbreak across the Republic thanks to the social distancing measures imposed , but the HSE ’ s health protection surveillance centre continues to record cases .
“ World Health Organisation and HSE advice has not changed , vaccines must be given at their recommended time to provide maximum protection from vaccine-preventable diseases .
Delaying vaccines is putting you and your children at unnecessary risk of vaccine-preventable diseases at the time they are most vulnerable to the diseases , ” Dr Jessop said in a statement released to mark World Immunisation Week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold due to the closure of schools , but the HSE says it hopes to reinstate it when they reopen .

The health service is facing a possible ‘double whammy’ from Covid-19 and flu next winter. File photograph: PA Wire
Preparations for next winter's flu season need to begin immediately, and should include the provision of that vaccine to children, according to a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation (IM0).
The health service is facing a possible "double whammy" from Covid-19 and flu next winter, and needs to minimise this by ensuring the widest possible uptake of the flu vaccine, according to Dublin GP Ray Walley.
“We need to start planning for next winter now. It’s going to be bad enough dealing with Covid-19, but you might also have a bad flu season. Whatever happens things are going to be more complicated, and we have to do all we can to protect people.”
Dr Walley, who is vice-president of the standing committee of European Doctors (CPME), said the HSE should consider extending the availability of flu vaccine to children, as happens in the UK.
READ MORE
“We have to be aware that some children can act as super-spreaders, but vaccination for the flu, whether by droplet or injection, would help.”
Meanwhile, the HSE’s National Immunisation Office (NIO) has advised parents of new babies to get them vaccinated on time during the coronavirus epidemic as vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, polio and whooping cough continue to be reported.
"We know people are worried about Covid-19, but other infectious diseases are also a threat. And so vaccines for babies, pregnant women and people in at risk groups should continue at this time through GP practices," said NIO director Dr Lucy Jessop.
Mumps
The Covid-19 outbreak has had the upside of helping curtail a year-long mumps outbreak across the Republic thanks to the social distancing measures imposed, but the HSE’s health protection surveillance centre continues to record cases.
"World Health Organisation and HSE advice has not changed, vaccines must be given at their recommended time to provide maximum protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. Delaying vaccines is putting you and your children at unnecessary risk of vaccine-preventable diseases at the time they are most vulnerable to the diseases," Dr Jessop said in a statement released to mark World Immunisation Week.
The school immunisation programmes are currently on hold due to the closure of schools, but the HSE says it hopes to reinstate it when they reopen.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Medics alerted about rare child illness perhaps related to Covid-19

A small number of children – fewer than five – on the island of Ireland have presented with symptoms of possible inflammatory condition which may be linked to Covid-19 , the Health Service Executive has confirmed .
The HSE sent an urgent alert on the condition to senior medics and public health experts on Tuesday afternoon after advice about the condition was passed on from the UK health service .
The urgent alert is the second-highest of four priority levels for messages set by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) and requires that the information be distributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , children ’ s health experts said the incidence of the symptoms in children is so far very low and the risk remains low .
The degree to which the condition is linked to Covid-19 is so far unclear .
In its advice , the HSE said the UK paediatric intensive care society had tracked an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages “ presenting with multisystem inflammatory state ” and requiring intensive care .
The Irish advice , which was sent on Tuesday afternoon , followed advice issued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illness , which is apparently similar to toxic shock syndrome or an illness called Kawasaki disease , which is more common in parts of Asia .
Kawasaki disease , whose cause is unknown , often afflicts children aged under 5 and is associated with fever , skin rashes , swelling of glands , and in severe cases , inflammation of arteries of the heart .
Some of the children in Britain tested positive for Covid-19 , while others did not .
Medics have suggested that the disease may be linked to Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karina Butler , a consultant paediatrician and infectious disease expert at Children ’ s Health Ireland ( CHI ) , emphasised that the incidence of Covid-19 developing into a serious condition in children is extremely low , and that the reported numbers presenting with the inflammatory symptoms are also small .
“ It ’ s right we know about it to guide us in terms of our investigations , but it ’ s not likely that it ’ s going to be a common event .
It ’ s a rare thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to know about.
” She said the syndrome is very similar to adults who get very sick with Covid-19 , in that it prompts an inflammatory response “ that isn ’ t readily turned off ” .
She pointed out there had been a very small number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in children in Ireland , an even smaller incidence of admission to ICU among children and no deaths .
She said there were normally between 20 and 30 cases a year of illnesses like Kawasaki disease in Ireland , of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s not common , it ’ s very rare but it does happen , ” she said .
Children with symptoms along these lines have been reported in the UK and also in Italy , and the issue is being researched by experts from both countries .
British health secretary Matt Hancock told LBC Radio on Tuesday that some children had died from the disease who did not have underlying conditions .
According to an advice note issued by NHS North Central London , “ there is a growing concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in children in the UK , or that there may be another , as yet unidentified , infectious pathogen associated with these cases ” .
Prof Butler emphasised that parents should not be unduly worried , but should remain watchful for persistent symptoms and should not hesitate to seek medical advice , as they would under normal circumstances with an unwell child .
In a statement , Children ’ s Health Ireland also said parents should not delay coming to children ’ s hospitals with injuries or illness that require an emergency assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Temple Street Hospitals are safe to attend and are open 24/7 .
Our urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital is open for the treatment of minor injuries or illnesses ( 10am-5pm , Monday to Friday ) .
”

Prof Karina Butler, a consultant paediatrician and infectious disease expert at Children’s Health Ireland: incidence of Covid-19 developing into a serious condition in children is extremely low. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
A small number of children – fewer than five – on the island of Ireland have presented with symptoms of possible inflammatory condition which may be linked to Covid-19, the Health Service Executive has confirmed.
The HSE sent an urgent alert on the condition to senior medics and public health experts on Tuesday afternoon after advice about the condition was passed on from the UK health service.
The urgent alert is the second-highest of four priority levels for messages set by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and requires that the information be distributed to clinical staff within 24 hours.
However, children’s health experts said the incidence of the symptoms in children is so far very low and the risk remains low. The degree to which the condition is linked to Covid-19 is so far unclear.
READ MORE
In its advice, the HSE said the UK paediatric intensive care society had tracked an apparent rise in the number of children of all ages “presenting with multisystem inflammatory state” and requiring intensive care.
The Irish advice, which was sent on Tuesday afternoon, followed advice issued by public health authorities in the UK on the illness, which is apparently similar to toxic shock syndrome or an illness called Kawasaki disease, which is more common in parts of Asia.
Fever and rashes
Kawasaki disease, whose cause is unknown, often afflicts children aged under 5 and is associated with fever, skin rashes, swelling of glands, and in severe cases, inflammation of arteries of the heart.
Some of the children in Britain tested positive for Covid-19, while others did not. Medics have suggested that the disease may be linked to Covid-19 or may have another cause.
Prof Karina Butler, a consultant paediatrician and infectious disease expert at Children's Health Ireland (CHI), emphasised that the incidence of Covid-19 developing into a serious condition in children is extremely low, and that the reported numbers presenting with the inflammatory symptoms are also small.
“It’s right we know about it to guide us in terms of our investigations, but it’s not likely that it’s going to be a common event. It’s a rare thing, but it’s an important rare thing to know about.” She said the syndrome is very similar to adults who get very sick with Covid-19, in that it prompts an inflammatory response “that isn’t readily turned off”. She pointed out there had been a very small number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in children in Ireland, an even smaller incidence of admission to ICU among children and no deaths.
‘Very rare’
She said there were normally between 20 and 30 cases a year of illnesses like Kawasaki disease in Ireland, of which usually only one would be severe.
"It's not common, it's very rare but it does happen," she said. Children with symptoms along these lines have been reported in the UK and also in Italy, and the issue is being researched by experts from both countries.
British health secretary Matt Hancock told LBC Radio on Tuesday that some children had died from the disease who did not have underlying conditions. According to an advice note issued by NHS North Central London, "there is a growing concern that a Sars-CoV-2-related inflammatory syndrome is emerging in children in the UK, or that there may be another, as yet unidentified, infectious pathogen associated with these cases".
Prof Butler emphasised that parents should not be unduly worried, but should remain watchful for persistent symptoms and should not hesitate to seek medical advice, as they would under normal circumstances with an unwell child.
In a statement, Children's Health Ireland also said parents should not delay coming to children's hospitals with injuries or illness that require an emergency assessment. "Our emergency departments at Crumlin and Temple Street Hospitals are safe to attend and are open 24/7. Our urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital is open for the treatment of minor injuries or illnesses (10am-5pm, Monday to Friday)."


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Irish patients to be involved in trials for Covid-19 drug treatments

Hundreds of Irish patients are set to to take part in clinical trials on potential new treatments for Covid-19 .
They will be part of a series of “ international , multi-centre ” studies , including investigation of leading “ drug candidates ” highlighted by the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and designated for investigation .
Known as the WHO solidarity trial , it includes “ anti-virals ” that are known to have beneficial effects but need to be subjected to larger randomised trials in humans .
They include the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir – developed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spite of their poor performance in recent smaller trials , but Irish medical researchers confirmed they need to be subjected to these larger trials .
The trial intends to assess rapidly , in thousands of Covid-19 infected people , the potential efficacy of existing anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents including drug combinations involving lopinavir , ritonavir and interferon beta .
It is designed to give answers to major questions , including whether these drugs will reduce mortality , reduce severity of illness and enable seriously-ill patients to recover , said Arthur Jackson , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital .
In addition , it would help determine the duration of time that a person was infectious , said Dr Jackson who is helping to roll out the trial , which will involve all major acute hospitals in Ireland .
He expected the Irish part to be approved by a regulator shortly and patients to be quickly signed up after that .
Who will be signed up will be determined by how the pandemic pans out .
It will focus on Covid-19 cases where “ supplemental oxygen ” has to be administered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus .
While there was a small number of cases in Cork recently , he believed the throughput of patients would be sufficient , especially because “ we are going to get further waves as restrictions are lifted ” .
The result on remdesivir , while disappointing , “ doesn ’ t change anything .
You can ’ t base all decisions on small studies ” .
The same applied to hydroxychloroquine , “ which was probably subject to inappropriate enthusiasm in the beginning ” .
Larger , well-designed and robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or those likely to be harmed to be identified , as well as “ nuances of treatment ” in determining overall efficacy , Dr Jackson explained .
Unfortunately , because of the nature of coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , there were “ rushed publications that you can not draw too many conclusions from ” , Dr Jackson said .
In another trial , Prof Alistair Nichol of St Vincent ’ s University Hospital and chair of critical care medicine in UCD confirmed Irish patients would be given antibody-rich blood plasma recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and are now in good health .
Known as “ convalescent plasma ” , it will be used in trials in Ireland ( in collaboration with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service ) ; the UK , Australia , New Zealand and Canada .
It is part of the Remap-Cap trial , which is seeking to target community-acquired pneumonia associated with coronavirus and test a variety of treatment options simultaneously , he explained .
This was possible in countries with well-developed blood transfusion services .
In the UK it was generating 1,000 units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be given the product within the next fortnight .
The State was generating the exact same product , and was due to administer it to patients in four weeks ’ time .
As convalescent plasma was proven with other illnesses , Prof Nichol hoped it would be “ a widespread intervention ” in Covid-19 cases .
He confirmed Irish medical researchers were involved in a range of trials including some focused on high-risk areas , such as those working in healthcare – and punching above their weight in the international context .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clinical trial of remdesivir from Gilead Sciences , showing what appear to be promising results in treating Covid-19 , it sparked a rally in US stocks .
The University of Chicago ’ s trial found most of its patients had “ rapid recoveries in fever and respiratory symptoms ” but a trial in China was later found to be less successful .
Both trials involved small numbers .

Anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine is one of the products to be given to some Irish patients despite poor performance in smaller trials. File photograph: Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images
Hundreds of Irish patients are set to to take part in clinical trials on potential new treatments for Covid-19.
They will be part of a series of "international, multi-centre" studies, including investigation of leading "drug candidates" highlighted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and designated for investigation.
Known as the WHO solidarity trial, it includes “anti-virals” that are known to have beneficial effects but need to be subjected to larger randomised trials in humans.
They include the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir – developed as a potential drug to tackle Ebola – in spite of their poor performance in recent smaller trials, but Irish medical researchers confirmed they need to be subjected to these larger trials.
READ MORE
The trial intends to assess rapidly, in thousands of Covid-19 infected people, the potential efficacy of existing anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents including drug combinations involving lopinavir, ritonavir and interferon beta.
It is designed to give answers to major questions, including whether these drugs will reduce mortality, reduce severity of illness and enable seriously-ill patients to recover, said Arthur Jackson, a consultant in infectious diseases at Cork University Hospital.
In addition, it would help determine the duration of time that a person was infectious, said Dr Jackson who is helping to roll out the trial, which will involve all major acute hospitals in Ireland.
He expected the Irish part to be approved by a regulator shortly and patients to be quickly signed up after that. Who will be signed up will be determined by how the pandemic pans out. It will focus on Covid-19 cases where “supplemental oxygen” has to be administered – ie people who are seriously ill with the virus.
While there was a small number of cases in Cork recently, he believed the throughput of patients would be sufficient, especially because “we are going to get further waves as restrictions are lifted”.
The result on remdesivir, while disappointing, “doesn’t change anything. You can’t base all decisions on small studies”. The same applied to hydroxychloroquine, “which was probably subject to inappropriate enthusiasm in the beginning”.
Larger, well-designed and robust studies would enable groups that would benefit or those likely to be harmed to be identified, as well as “nuances of treatment” in determining overall efficacy, Dr Jackson explained.
Unfortunately, because of the nature of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, there were “rushed publications that you cannot draw too many conclusions from”, Dr Jackson said.
Plasma
In another trial, Prof Alistair Nichol of St Vincent's University Hospital and chair of critical care medicine in UCD confirmed Irish patients would be given antibody-rich blood plasma recovered from people who were infected by the virus and are now in good health.
Known as "convalescent plasma", it will be used in trials in Ireland (in collaboration with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service); the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
It is part of the Remap-Cap trial, which is seeking to target community-acquired pneumonia associated with coronavirus and test a variety of treatment options simultaneously, he explained.
This was possible in countries with well-developed blood transfusion services. In the UK it was generating 1,000 units a day, with coronavirus patients due to be given the product within the next fortnight. The State was generating the exact same product, and was due to administer it to patients in four weeks’ time.
As convalescent plasma was proven with other illnesses, Prof Nichol hoped it would be “a widespread intervention” in Covid-19 cases.
He confirmed Irish medical researchers were involved in a range of trials including some focused on high-risk areas, such as those working in healthcare – and punching above their weight in the international context.
When details leaked earlier this month of a clinical trial of remdesivir from Gilead Sciences, showing what appear to be promising results in treating Covid-19, it sparked a rally in US stocks. The University of Chicago's trial found most of its patients had "rapid recoveries in fever and respiratory symptoms" but a trial in China was later found to be less successful. Both trials involved small numbers.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Key species for cleaning up marine environment is disrupted by microplastics

The extent to which microplastics are impairing the lifecycle of the hermit crab , a key species in marine environments , has been outlined by scientists at Queen ’ s University Belfast ( QUB ) .
These crabs are responsible for “ cleaning up ” the sea through eating up decomposed sea-life and bacteria and also act as an important host for other marine species .
The QUB research conducted with Liverpool John Moores University is another indication of how “ the microplastic pollution crisis is threatening biodiversity ” , according to Dr Gareth Arnott from QUB School of Biological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent of global plastic production ends up in the sea though the understanding of how this affects marine life is limited .
Their research , he said , reveals the impact of plastics on hermit crabs , “ which play an important role in balancing marine ecosystems ” .
Hermit crabs do not develop their own shells but instead take shells from snails to protect their soft abdomens .
As a hermit crab grows over the years , it will need to find a succession of larger and larger shells to replace the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These shells are vital in protecting and enabling hermit crabs to grow , reproduce and survive .
The researchers in a study published on Wednesday in Biology Letters , found that when hermit crabs were exposed to microplastics , “ they were less likely to later touch or enter high-quality shells.
” “ Our research shows that exposure to microplastics can have important effects on animal behaviour .
More specifically , in this case it had a detrimental effect on shell selection behaviour in hermit crabs .
As this behaviour is vital for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be important long-term consequences , ” said Dr Arnott , who is lead author of the study .
To investigate the impact of microplastic exposure , the research team divided hermit crabs between experimental tanks , half containing microplastics while the other half had no plastic .
After five days , the hermit crabs were moved into low-quality shells with the option for alternative high-quality shells offering more protection .
Dr Arnott added : “ Our research shows for the first time how microplastics are disrupting and causing behavioural changes among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard , mobile surface , hermit crabs are also “ walking wildlife gardens ” he said .
They host more than 100 invertebrate species – far more than live snails or non-living substrates .
Additionally , commercially valuable species such as cod , ling , and wolf fish prey on hermit crabs .
“ With these findings of effects on animal behaviour , the microplastic pollution crisis is therefore threatening biodiversity more than is currently recognised so it is vital that we act now to tackle this issue before it becomes too late @ @

Exposure to microplastics can have important effects on animal behaviour. More specifically, in this case it had a detrimental effect on shell selection behaviour in hermit crabs. As this behaviour is vital for hermit crab survival and reproduction, there could be important long-term consequences
The extent to which microplastics are impairing the lifecycle of the hermit crab, a key species in marine environments, has been outlined by scientists at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).
These crabs are responsible for “cleaning up” the sea through eating up decomposed sea-life and bacteria and also act as an important host for other marine species.
The QUB research conducted with Liverpool John Moores University is another indication of how "the microplastic pollution crisis is threatening biodiversity", according to Dr Gareth Arnott from QUB School of Biological Sciences.
Currently up to 10 per cent of global plastic production ends up in the sea though the understanding of how this affects marine life is limited. Their research, he said, reveals the impact of plastics on hermit crabs, “which play an important role in balancing marine ecosystems”.
READ MORE
Hermit crabs do not develop their own shells but instead take shells from snails to protect their soft abdomens. As a hermit crab grows over the years, it will need to find a succession of larger and larger shells to replace the ones that have become too small. These shells are vital in protecting and enabling hermit crabs to grow, reproduce and survive.
The researchers in a study published on Wednesday in Biology Letters, found that when hermit crabs were exposed to microplastics, “they were less likely to later touch or enter high-quality shells.”
“Our research shows that exposure to microplastics can have important effects on animal behaviour. More specifically, in this case it had a detrimental effect on shell selection behaviour in hermit crabs. As this behaviour is vital for hermit crab survival and reproduction, there could be important long-term consequences,” said Dr Arnott, who is lead author of the study.
To investigate the impact of microplastic exposure, the research team divided hermit crabs between experimental tanks, half containing microplastics while the other half had no plastic. After five days, the hermit crabs were moved into low-quality shells with the option for alternative high-quality shells offering more protection.
Dr Arnott added: “Our research shows for the first time how microplastics are disrupting and causing behavioural changes among the hermit crab population.”
By providing a hard, mobile surface, hermit crabs are also “walking wildlife gardens” he said. They host more than 100 invertebrate species – far more than live snails or non-living substrates.
Additionally, commercially valuable species such as cod, ling, and wolf fish prey on hermit crabs. “With these findings of effects on animal behaviour, the microplastic pollution crisis is therefore threatening biodiversity more than is currently recognised so it is vital that we act now to tackle this issue before it becomes too late.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Almost half of deaths occurred in nursing or residential homes

Only one-sixth of nursing home residents to die from coronavirus died in an acute hospital , new figures the Department of Health ’ s National Public Health Emergency Team show .
The more detailed statistics show the extent to which residential care and nursing homes have had to deal with deaths of their residents within the homes .
As of Tuesday , almost half the total 1,159 laboratory-confirmed or probable deaths from the virus , also known as Covid-19 , occurred in residential community facilities and nursing homes .
Figures show that almost 18 per cent of nursing home residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflecting the higher mortality rate among people over the age of 65 .
The residential care and nursing home sector has borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in the country accounting for almost 60 per cent of all Covid-related deaths .
The State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said that 680 of the 1,159 lab-confirmed and probable Covid-19 deaths were community residential facilities and nursing home residents .
Just 122 of the 680 deaths occurred in an acute hospital , he said at the department ’ s daily briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 579 , or 50 per cent , of the 1,159 total reported deaths and 95 , or 16 per cent , of the 579 deaths were in an acute hospital , Dr Holohan said .
There were a reported 362 clusters of infection – each defined as two or more cases – in residential care facilities , including 218 in nursing homes .
This accounts for just over 40 per cent of the 540 nursing homes in the country , comprising 420 privately owned homes and 120 HSE-run nursing homes .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and about 30,000 staff .
More widespread testing of nursing home residents and staff over the past week has led to an increase in the reported number of people in nursing homes diagnosed with coronavirusat the department ’ s daily emergency team briefings .
The department said there were 4,155 cases in community residential facilities , of which 3,277 were in nursing homes .
As the test results come in from nursing homes , the percentage of nursing home residents to have been hospitalised by the disease has declined .
Some 335 residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of the 4,155 cases in community residential facilities , were hospitalised .
Of the nursing home figures , some 225 , or 6.9 per cent , of the 3,277 people infected with Covid-19 were hospitalised .

Figures show that almost 18% of nursing home residents infected with coronavirus in the Republic have died. Photograph: VStock RF/Getty Images
Only one-sixth of nursing home residents to die from coronavirus died in an acute hospital, new figures the Department of Health’s National Public Health Emergency Team show.
The more detailed statistics show the extent to which residential care and nursing homes have had to deal with deaths of their residents within the homes.
As of Tuesday, almost half the total 1,159 laboratory-confirmed or probable deaths from the virus, also known as Covid-19, occurred in residential community facilities and nursing homes.
Figures show that almost 18 per cent of nursing home residents infected with the disease have died, reflecting the higher mortality rate among people over the age of 65.
READ MORE
The residential care and nursing home sector has borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in the country accounting for almost 60 per cent of all Covid-related deaths.
The State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said that 680 of the 1,159 lab-confirmed and probable Covid-19 deaths were community residential facilities and nursing home residents.
Just 122 of the 680 deaths occurred in an acute hospital, he said at the department’s daily briefing on Tuesday evening.
Nursing homes accounted for 579, or 50 per cent, of the 1,159 total reported deaths and 95, or 16 per cent, of the 579 deaths were in an acute hospital, Dr Holohan said.
There were a reported 362 clusters of infection – each defined as two or more cases – in residential care facilities, including 218 in nursing homes.
This accounts for just over 40 per cent of the 540 nursing homes in the country, comprising 420 privately owned homes and 120 HSE-run nursing homes.
There are about 29,000 residents in nursing homes and about 30,000 staff.
Testing
More widespread testing of nursing home residents and staff over the past week has led to an increase in the reported number of people in nursing homes diagnosed with coronavirusat the department’s daily emergency team briefings.
The department said there were 4,155 cases in community residential facilities, of which 3,277 were in nursing homes.
As the test results come in from nursing homes, the percentage of nursing home residents to have been hospitalised by the disease has declined.
Some 335 residents of community residential facilities, or 8.1 per cent of the 4,155 cases in community residential facilities, were hospitalised.
Of the nursing home figures, some 225, or 6.9 per cent, of the 3,277 people infected with Covid-19 were hospitalised.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Health workers with childcare issues may be allowed work from home, unions say

Healthcare workers with childcare problems may be permitted to work from home if they have exhausted all potential alternative options , unions say the HSE has proposed .
A number of union sources said the proposal was tabled verbally by the HSE at a meeting on Tuesday on foot of new overall guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure for employers across the State sector .
The HSE said on Tuesday night that its position remained that it intended “ to work collaboratively with staff , to be as flexible as possible to ensure that issues relating to supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibilities to provide critical health services during this pandemic ” .
“ Our overriding goal is to ensure flexibility and creativity in working with staff and managers in this regard.
” Some senior union figures said they viewed the HSE position at the meeting on Tuesday as a significant movement on the issue of dealing with childcare arrangements for health workers .
However it is understood that the trade union Fórsa questioned whether the HSE ’ s interpretation was in keeping with the new Department of Public Expenditure guidance and asked the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours .
Trade unions have been pressing the Government to introduce childcare arrangements for key healthcare workers for several weeks .
Unions have said that in some cases health staff have been unable to attend work following the closure of creches and schools in March .
Last weekend the HSE said that 4,500 health service staff were absent from work at that stage- some on sick leave or in isolation over Covid-19 and others due to childcare difficulties .
Last week the Government announced plans to provide paid leave for partners of healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public service -- to assist with childcare issues in the home .
However this plan was strongly criticised as insufficient by trade unions representing staff in the health service .
The Department of Public Expenditure has elaborated on the Government initiative in its new guidance for employers in the State sector , dated April 28th .
“ In the first instance , flexible working arrangements will be put in place for the other parent/ guardian/partner such as working from home or working adjusted hours/ shifts .
Though not anticipated , in the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential healthcare worker to attend work it will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
” A number of trade union sources said that the HSE had said on Tuesday at the meeting that where all potential alternatives had been exhausted , staff who still had childcare problems could work from home .

Trade unions have been pressing the Government to introduce childcare arrangements for key healthcare workers for several weeks. Photograph: iStock
Healthcare workers with childcare problems may be permitted to work from home if they have exhausted all potential alternative options, unions say the HSE has proposed.
A number of union sources said the proposal was tabled verbally by the HSE at a meeting on Tuesday on foot of new overall guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure for employers across the State sector.
The HSE said on Tuesday night that its position remained that it intended “to work collaboratively with staff,to be as flexible as possible to ensure that issues relating to supporting child care arrangements were balanced with our responsibilities to provide critical health services during this pandemic”.
“Our overriding goal is to ensure flexibility and creativity in working with staff and managers in this regard.”
READ MORE
Some senior union figures said they viewed the HSE position at the meeting on Tuesday as a significant movement on the issue of dealing with childcare arrangements for health workers.
However it is understood that the trade union Fórsa questioned whether the HSE’s interpretation was in keeping with the new Department of Public Expenditure guidance and asked the health authority to confirm its position within 24 hours.
Trade unions have been pressing the Government to introduce childcare arrangements for key healthcare workers for several weeks.
Unions have said that in some cases health staff have been unable to attend work following the closure of creches and schools in March.
Last weekend the HSE said that 4,500 health service staff were absent from work at that stage- some on sick leave or in isolation over Covid-19 and others due to childcare difficulties.
Last week the Government announced plans to provide paid leave for partners of healthcare workers - who were employed in the public service -- to assist with childcare issues in the home.
However this plan was strongly criticised as insufficient by trade unions representing staff in the health service.
The Department of Public Expenditure has elaborated on the Government initiative in its new guidance for employers in the State sector, dated April 28th.
“In the first instance, flexible working arrangements will be put in place for the other parent/ guardian/partner such as working from home or working adjusted hours/ shifts. Though not anticipated, in the event that flexible arrangements do not allow the essential healthcare worker to attend work it will be dealt with on a case by case basis.”
A number of trade union sources said that the HSE had said on Tuesday at the meeting that where all potential alternatives had been exhausted, staff who still had childcare problems could work from home.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Thomas Martens fails in bid to be released from prison over Covid-19 fears

A former FBI agent convicted of murdering his Irish son-in-law , Jason Corbett , in the US almost five years ago , has failed in his bid to be released from prison due to fears of contracting coronavirus .
A US court ruled on Wednesday that Thomas Martens ( 70 ) must remain in prison pending an appeal against a recent ruling that he and his daughter should face a retrial on the charge of murdering Mr Corbett .
Mr Martens and his daughter , Molly ( 36 ) , Mr Corbett ’ s second wife , were given a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trial in 2017 at which they were found guilty of the second-degree murder of the Irish father of two .
Mr Corbett , a 39-year old who came originally from Limerick , died from head injuries sustained in an attack with a baseball bat and paving stone at his family home in Wallburg , North Carolina on August 2nd , 2015 .
Lawyers for Thomas Martens applied on Tuesday for their client ’ s release from prison after a decision by the North Carolina Court of Appeal in February to order a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Corbett ’ s murder .
They told the Davidson County Superior Court in North Carolina that Mr Martens was at an elevated risk of being infected with the Covid-19 virus due to his age .
Mr Marten ’ s legal team asked the court to release him on a €200,000 bond on condition that his whereabouts would be electronically monitored .
The court heard that Mr Martens did not pose a flight risk and was willing to voluntarily submit himself to house arrest at his son ’ s home in Union County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motion was opposed by the Davidson County District Attorney ’ s office which argued that Mr Martens faced a risk from the virus both at home or in prison .
Lawyers for the district attorney argued prisoners convicted of murder should not be included in the release of any prisoners from jails in North Carolina in response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
They also read out a letter on behalf of Tracey Corbett Lynch , Mr Corbett ’ s sister , who also opposed the release of her brother ’ s killer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ David , were granted full custody of her brother ’ s children from his first marriage , Jack and Sarah and they now live with the couple in Limerick .
In the letter Ms Corbett Lynch said the two children had specifically asked her to write to the court to express their concern .
She said they “ are still extremely worried about either of the Martens being released from prison ” .
She claimed her family would regard any temporary release of Thomas Martens from custody as “ unwarranted and deeply upsetting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s memory ” .
Ms Corbett Lynch said Mr Martens had never shown remorse for his actions or offered an apology for Jason ’ s death .
She claimed he had caused her family “ immeasurable hurt ” over the past five years by what she described as his “ consistent attempts to slander my brother and besmirch his good reputation.
” Judge Mark Klass denied the bond motion that Mr Martens should be released from prison .
The appeals court had ruled that Mr Martens and his daughter must remain in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has challenged the recent decision to order a retrial .
The North Carolina Supreme Court is reviewing the ruling to overturn the conviction and order a retrial but is unlikely to reach a decision for several more months .
Mr Martens claimed he had acted in self-defence after responding to some sort of disturbance in the couple ’ s bedroom where he found Mr Corbett choking his daughter .
Lawyers for the father and daughter claim they did not get a fair trial back in 2017 after critical evidence was excluded from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge .
In reaction to the outcome of Tuesday ’ s bond hearing , Ms Corbett Lynch said her family would keep “ fighting the good fight every step of the way ” and thanked the North Carolina judicial system .

Thomas Martens, convicted of murdering his Irish son-in-law, Jason Corbett, in the US almost five years ago, has failed in his bid to be released from prison due to fears of contracting coronavirus.
A former FBI agent convicted of murdering his Irish son-in-law, Jason Corbett, in the US almost five years ago, has failed in his bid to be released from prison due to fears of contracting coronavirus.
A US court ruled on Wednesday that Thomas Martens (70) must remain in prison pending an appeal against a recent ruling that he and his daughter should face a retrial on the charge of murdering Mr Corbett.
Mr Martens and his daughter, Molly (36), Mr Corbett’s second wife, were given a 20 to 25 year jail sentence following a trial in 2017 at which they were found guilty of the second-degree murder of the Irish father of two.
Mr Corbett, a 39-year old who came originally from Limerick, died from head injuries sustained in an attack with a baseball bat and paving stone at his family home in Wallburg, North Carolina on August 2nd, 2015.
READ MORE
Lawyers for Thomas Martens applied on Tuesday for their client’s release from prison after a decision by the North Carolina Court of Appeal in February to order a retrial for him and his daughter for Mr Corbett’s murder.
They told the Davidson County Superior Court in North Carolina that Mr Martens was at an elevated risk of being infected with the Covid-19 virus due to his age.
Mr Marten’s legal team asked the court to release him on a €200,000 bond on condition that his whereabouts would be electronically monitored.
The court heard that Mr Martens did not pose a flight risk and was willing to voluntarily submit himself to house arrest at his son’s home in Union County, North Carolina.
However, the motion was opposed by the Davidson County District Attorney’s office which argued that Mr Martens faced a risk from the virus both at home or in prison.
Lawyers for the district attorney argued prisoners convicted of murder should not be included in the release of any prisoners from jails in North Carolina in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They also read out a letter on behalf of Tracey Corbett Lynch, Mr Corbett's sister, who also opposed the release of her brother's killer.
Ms Corbett Lynch and her husband, David, were granted full custody of her brother’s children from his first marriage, Jack and Sarah and they now live with the couple in Limerick.
In the letter Ms Corbett Lynch said the two children had specifically asked her to write to the court to express their concern.
She said they “are still extremely worried about either of the Martens being released from prison” .
She claimed her family would regard any temporary release of Thomas Martens from custody as “unwarranted and deeply upsetting” and “insulting to Jason’s memory”.
Ms Corbett Lynch said Mr Martens had never shown remorse for his actions or offered an apology for Jason’s death.
She claimed he had caused her family “immeasurable hurt” over the past five years by what she described as his “consistent attempts to slander my brother and besmirch his good reputation.”
Judge Mark Klass denied the bond motion that Mr Martens should be released from prison.
The appeals court had ruled that Mr Martens and his daughter must remain in prison as the Attorney General of North Carolina has challenged the recent decision to order a retrial.
The North Carolina Supreme Court is reviewing the ruling to overturn the conviction and order a retrial but is unlikely to reach a decision for several more months.
Mr Martens claimed he had acted in self-defence after responding to some sort of disturbance in the couple’s bedroom where he found Mr Corbett choking his daughter.
Lawyers for the father and daughter claim they did not get a fair trial back in 2017 after critical evidence was excluded from being put to the jury by the trial judge.
In reaction to the outcome of Tuesday’s bond hearing, Ms Corbett Lynch said her family would keep “fighting the good fight every step of the way” and thanked the North Carolina judicial system.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Ryanair changes refund policy to allow unused vouchers to be exchanged for cash

Ryanair has changed course in the ongoing controversy over refunds for cancelled flights , telling customers they will exchange vouchers issued now for cash if they are not used within 12 months .
Last Monday it emerged the airline had joined a significant number of other airlines in primarily offering vouchers for flights cancelled due to coronavirus .
The move infuriated many customers who had previously been told their refunds for cancelled flights were being processed .
They were told they could wait for refunds but were not given any indication when they would be processed other than a reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the normal course of events , refunds must be processed within seven days .
The latest email starts by telling customers that they had previously received an email “ with a voucher code to the value of your original booking.
” It repeats that the voucher is valid for 12 months “ and can be used for your future travel plans ” .
It adds that if impacted passengers “ do not use the voucher before the expiry date [ they ] will receive a full cash refund ” and adds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voucher they will “ receive the option of a voucher for the balance or a cash refund after the expire date.
” The email then contains a link to where customers can claim the voucher .
The fresh move comes after a turbulent week for the airlines which saw customers who thought they were getting refunds for cancelled flights offered vouchers instead .
For weeks the airline had been out of step with most other airlines in Europe in promising no-quibble cash refunds , but last week ’ s apparent U-turn came as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the rules to allow airlines offer credit notes instead of full refunds .
Minister for Transport Shane Ross is considering a similar step in Ireland .
Ryanair – and other airlines including Aer Lingus – have insisted they are fully compliant with EU regulations governing refunds .
Ryanair has said that as a result of the grounding of more than 90 per cent of its fleet in recent weeks it was “ having to process 10,000 times the usual volume [ of refund requests ] and have fewer staff available due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company ’ s outgoing marketing office Kenny Jacobs said that people who insist on getting cash refunds instead of vouchers would have to wait in the region of three months before they were processed .

Ryanair has changed course in the ongoing controversy over refunds for cancelled flights, telling customers they will exchange vouchers issued now for cash if they are not used within 12 months.
Last Monday it emerged the airline had joined a significant number of other airlines in primarily offering vouchers for flights cancelled due to coronavirus.
The move infuriated many customers who had previously been told their refunds for cancelled flights were being processed.
They were told they could wait for refunds but were not given any indication when they would be processed other than a reference to when the Covid-19 crisis passed. In the normal course of events, refunds must be processed within seven days.
READ MORE
The latest email starts by telling customers that they had previously received an email “with a voucher code to the value of your original booking.” It repeats that the voucher is valid for 12 months “and can be used for your future travel plans”.
It adds that if impacted passengers “do not use the voucher before the expiry date [they] will receive a full cash refund” and adds that if those affected use part of the voucher they will “receive the option of a voucher for the balance or a cash refund after the expire date.”
The email then contains a link to where customers can claim the voucher.
Regulations
The fresh move comes after a turbulent week for the airlines which saw customers who thought they were getting refunds for cancelled flights offered vouchers instead.
For weeks the airline had been out of step with most other airlines in Europe in promising no-quibble cash refunds, but last week's apparent U-turn came as several countries across the EU moved to change the rules to allow airlines offer credit notes instead of full refunds. Minister for Transport Shane Ross is considering a similar step in Ireland.
Ryanair – and other airlines including Aer Lingus – have insisted they are fully compliant with EU regulations governing refunds.
Ryanair has said that as a result of the grounding of more than 90 per cent of its fleet in recent weeks it was “having to process 10,000 times the usual volume [of refund requests] and have fewer staff available due to social-distancing measures”.
Earlier this week the company's outgoing marketing office Kenny Jacobs said that people who insist on getting cash refunds instead of vouchers would have to wait in the region of three months before they were processed.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Senior gardaí not overly concerned about apparent Covid-19 loophole

Senior Garda officers are not overly concerned about an apparent loophole in Covid-19 regulations allowing day-trippers from Northern Ireland , or any other country , to come to the Republic and ignore the so-called “ 2km rule ” .
The purpose of the lockdown measures has been to keep people in their homes so they will not be mixing with each other and the spread of Covid-19 will be slowed .
However , a number of exemptions have been granted to allow people leave their homes for urgent family business – including caring for older or vulnerable relatives – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to shop for essentials .
People are also permitted to exercise but they must stay within 2km of their homes .
This rule has been at the forefront of Garda enforcement in recent weeks with 76 arrests of people in breach of it between April 8th and 25th .
A once-off breach is not escalated by gardaí , who explain the rule to those in question and encourage them to go home .
However , if people are found more than 2km from home repeatedly without a valid reason or if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time they are stopped , they can be arrested .
However , people who live in the North and who are in the Republic for the day can not face this kind of enforcement .
Because their home is not in the Republic , they have no home in the jurisdiction to be more than 2km away from .
If the Garda still sought to enforce the 2km rule and arrested them , it would be a wrongful arrest and a civil action might result .
The Irish Covid-19 rule stipulating people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not somehow reach into the North to be applied to a residence , according to Garda and legal sources .
Similar kinds of issues are encountered every day in policing , on both sides of the Border , and they have always proven insurmountable , according to legal sources .
For example , if gardaí are pursuing criminal suspects in a car that speeds across the Border into the North , gardaí must stop at the Border .
Under no circumstances can they go into the North and they have never been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no jurisdiction there .
Similarly , the PSNI can not pursue suspects into the Republic and soldiers from either jurisdiction can not cross the Border under any circumstances , even for a matter of seconds .
During the Troubles when British soldiers were found on the wrong side of the Border , about 700 metres in Co Louth in 1976 , they were arrested and it sparked a major international incident .
Legal and Garda sources pointed out that because there are two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland , and the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never knit together perfectly , some issues will always arise .
“ If a serious criminal is wanted [ in the Republic ] to face charges they can be extradited .
But for smaller matters , you are not going to kick off an extradition process and the reality is that the law doesn ’ t allow you to do that , ” said one legal source .
The same source pointed out a person could be extradited only if the DPP in Dublin had decided to press charges against them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect just to question them or you can ’ t extradite a witness to question them .
So once people go to the North , unless charges are waiting for them in the Republic they can ’ t be brought back here , they ’ re out of reach.
” Another source pointed out if a judge in the Republic issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a person for contempt of court , that warrant could not be executed if the person went to the North .
“ This 2km rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Republic but we still can ’ t prosecute them .
.
.
in this case , because the law relates to where a person ’ s home is , [ Irish law ] can ’ t stretch across the Border to cover the fact a person ’ s home is in the North.
” A further legal source said a similar issue arose with Criminal Assets Bureau ( Cab ) cases .
He explained if a suspect is being targeted by Cab they must be living in the Republic or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have jurisdiction over the person .
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said the Garda was aware from the time the Covid-19 regulations were being drafted that they would not apply to people who did not live in the Republic .

If a person’s home is not in the Republic, they have no home in the jurisdiction to be more than 2km away from. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Senior Garda officers are not overly concerned about an apparent loophole in Covid-19 regulations allowing day-trippers from Northern Ireland, or any other country, to come to the Republic and ignore the so-called “2km rule”.
The purpose of the lockdown measures has been to keep people in their homes so they will not be mixing with each other and the spread of Covid-19 will be slowed.
However, a number of exemptions have been granted to allow people leave their homes for urgent family business – including caring for older or vulnerable relatives – and to go to pharmacies, medical appointments and to shop for essentials.
People are also permitted to exercise but they must stay within 2km of their homes. This rule has been at the forefront of Garda enforcement in recent weeks with 76 arrests of people in breach of it between April 8th and 25th.
READ MORE
A once-off breach is not escalated by gardaí, who explain the rule to those in question and encourage them to go home. However, if people are found more than 2km from home repeatedly without a valid reason or if they are a long way from home the first time they are stopped, they can be arrested.
Out of jurisdiction
However, people who live in the North and who are in the Republic for the day cannot face this kind of enforcement.
Because their home is not in the Republic, they have no home in the jurisdiction to be more than 2km away from. If the Garda still sought to enforce the 2km rule and arrested them, it would be a wrongful arrest and a civil action might result.
The Irish Covid-19 rule stipulating people must stay within 2km of their home cannot somehow reach into the North to be applied to a residence, according to Garda and legal sources.
Similar kinds of issues are encountered every day in policing, on both sides of the Border, and they have always proven insurmountable, according to legal sources.
For example, if gardaí are pursuing criminal suspects in a car that speeds across the Border into the North, gardaí must stop at the Border. Under no circumstances can they go into the North and they have never been permitted to do so because they have no jurisdiction there.
Similarly, the PSNI cannot pursue suspects into the Republic and soldiers from either jurisdiction cannot cross the Border under any circumstances, even for a matter of seconds.
During the Troubles when British soldiers were found on the wrong side of the Border, about 700 metres in Co Louth in 1976, they were arrested and it sparked a major international incident.
Extradition
Legal and Garda sources pointed out that because there are two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland, and the criminal and legal systems of any two jurisdictions will never knit together perfectly, some issues will always arise.
“If a serious criminal is wanted [in the Republic] to face charges they can be extradited. But for smaller matters, you are not going to kick off an extradition process and the reality is that the law doesn’t allow you to do that,” said one legal source.
The same source pointed out a person could be extradited only if the DPP in Dublin had decided to press charges against them. “You can’t extradite a suspect just to question them or you can’t extradite a witness to question them. So once people go to the North, unless charges are waiting for them in the Republic they can’t be brought back here, they’re out of reach.”
Another source pointed out if a judge in the Republic issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a person for contempt of court, that warrant could not be executed if the person went to the North.
“This 2km rule is slightly different because the person is in the Republic but we still can’t prosecute them . . . in this case, because the law relates to where a person’s home is, [Irish law] can’t stretch across the Border to cover the fact a person’s home is in the North.”
A further legal source said a similar issue arose with Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) cases. He explained if a suspect is being targeted by Cab they must be living in the Republic or have assets here, in order for Cab to have jurisdiction over the person.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said the Garda was aware from the time the Covid-19 regulations were being drafted that they would not apply to people who did not live in the Republic.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Covid-19: Grandfather’s death without someone to hold hand ‘devastating’

A woman who watched her Dublin grandfather ’ s funeral by webcam from Canada this week , has described his death from Covid-19 without friends or family “ to hold his hand ” as “ devastating ” “ There was the kindest face and soul behind that daily figure on Sunday April 26th , ” Brendan O ’ Reilly ’ s granddaughter Tanya says .
On Tuesday , Brendan ( 91 ) was buried at Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin six months after he entered a care home having broken his hip .
Brendan , who was a native of Marino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wire room at The Irish Times .
He helped set up both the St Vincent de Paul and the credit union in Donnycarney .
Tanya , who has been based in Alberta for seven years , says her grandfather “ gave so much , always rallied around when he knew somebody was needing assistance or help .
Whether it was getting the paper for an elderly neighbour from the local shop , having a cup of tea or just popping in to keep them company.
” The family last had physical contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her sociable grandfather loved chatting over the phone .
“ Then we got the dreaded phone call ; he was showing signs of Covid 19 ... .His health deteriorated rapidly and we had very little contact with him .
Six days later he lost his battle with the dreaded virus .
“ When he died he was alone and no family or friend there to hold his hand like he has done for many years for all of us .
“ He spent his entire life surrounded by family and friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastating for us as a family .
He spent his final weeks alone battling this killer virus without his loved ones by his side.
” Three years ago Brendan had made the 14-hour journey to visit her in Alberta , which she says did not daunt him .
“ We want him to be remembered for all the many achievements and accomplishments he had over the years and not as a daily number or statistic.
” Now Tanya and her sister Nicole will embark on a series of walks thousands of miles apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memory in aid of St Vincent De Paul .
They will walk 5km a day for the next five days in honour of Brendan .
Brendan came from a family of thirteen .
He was married to former Irish Press employee Breda for 60 years until she died four years ago .
The couple had four children Derek , Dorothy , Maria and the late Martin .
Tanya and her sister Nicole have set up the Brendan O ’ Reilly Go Fund Me page for St Vincent De Paul at https : //www.gofundme.com/f/ef3w57-5-for-5

A woman who watched her Dublin grandfather’s funeral by webcam from Canada this week, has described his death from Covid-19 without friends or family “to hold his hand” as “devastating”
“There was the kindest face and soul behind that daily figure on Sunday April 26th,” Brendan O’Reilly’s granddaughter Tanya says .
On Tuesday, Brendan (91) was buried at Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin six months after he entered a care home having broken his hip.
Brendan, who was a native of Marino, worked until his retirement in the wire room at The Irish Times. He helped set up both the St Vincent de Paul and the credit union in Donnycarney.
READ MORE
Tanya, who has been based in Alberta for seven years, says her grandfather “gave so much, always rallied around when he knew somebody was needing assistance or help. Whether it was getting the paper for an elderly neighbour from the local shop, having a cup of tea or just popping in to keep them company.”
The family last had physical contact with Brendan on March 4th . Tanya says that her sociable grandfather loved chatting over the phone. “Then we got the dreaded phone call; he was showing signs of Covid 19....His health deteriorated rapidly and we had very little contact with him. Six days later he lost his battle with the dreaded virus.
“When he died he was alone and no family or friend there to hold his hand like he has done for many years for all of us.
“He spent his entire life surrounded by family and friends, so the nature of his death is devastating for us as a family. He spent his final weeks alone battling this killer virus without his loved ones by his side.”
Three years ago Brendan had made the 14-hour journey to visit her in Alberta , which she says did not daunt him.
“We want him to be remembered for all the many achievements and accomplishments he had over the years and not as a daily number or statistic.”
Now Tanya and her sister Nicole will embark on a series of walks thousands of miles apart in order to raise funds in his memory in aid of St Vincent De Paul. They will walk 5km a day for the next five days in honour of Brendan.
Brendan came from a family of thirteen. He was married to former Irish Press employee Breda for 60 years until she died four years ago. The couple had four children Derek, Dorothy, Maria and the late Martin.
Tanya and her sister Nicole have set up the Brendan O'Reilly Go Fund Me page for St Vincent De Paul at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ef3w57-5-for-5