theirishtimes--2020-12-12--GPs, nurses, pharmacists and retired people could be used to give Covid-19 vaccine

The Government ’ s Covid vaccine taskforce was expected to issue its plan on the rollout of the vaccines to the Government this weekend .
It is expected the report by the High Level Vaccine Taskforce will recommend all healthcare workers , including GPs , nurses and pharmacists be considered in helping administer the vaccine programme , while sources indicated that recently retired qualified people could be re-employed .
Securing volumes , managing delivery of the vaccines and the timing of regulatory approval will be key milestones , with no expectation that meaningful volumes of vaccine will be administered this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quicker than December 29th .
The report was prepared by a high level task force chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith , which first met on November 23rd , with the aim of producing a report by December 11th .
The report will set out a national strategy for the procurement , distribution , and delivery of a Covid-19 vaccine , including the logistics of how the doses will be stored , transported and administered .
The rollout plan outlined in the report is expected to be discussed by Cabinet early on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer Dr Tony Holohan , Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid , as well as a number of senior civil servants and officials working in procurement and other areas .
The group also included external logistics experts , as well as representatives from the IDA and the Defence Forces .
Earlier this week the Government agreed which groups would be prioritised to receive the vaccine once it becomes available .
Residents aged over 65 in long term care facilities , such as nursing homes , frontline health care workers , and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the first to receive the vaccine .
The rollout of the vaccine will follow approval by the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) .
The European regulator is due to complete a final review of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of December at the latest , which could see the first doses administered in Ireland in January .
The EMA may approve a second vaccine produced by Moderna in early January , after which it would also be administered in Ireland .
The vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 , and minus 20 degrees respectively , and the task force had to examine how these would be stored and transported .
The HSE is already engaged in negotiations with GP groups over winter planning and Covid-specific issues .
Doctors say they are increasingly frustrated over “ delay and confusion ” about their role in the State ’ s Covid vaccine plan .
Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) GP chairman Dr Denis McCauley said there was a lack of clarity on the role to be played by family doctors .
GPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the longer our keenness is held on tap , the more frustration will actually develop ” , he said .
The expectation on Friday was that both mass vaccination centres and the GP and pharmacist network would be used , while the Government has sought assurances from drug companies manufacturing the vaccine that they were taking a no-trade-deal Brexit into account .
The report from the task force is expected to include guidance on how vaccination records should be maintained , and the uptake of the vaccine tracked .
On Tuesday , 90-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine , after it was approved by British medical regulators .
Meanwhile , senior gardaí are in consultations with the Government ’ s Covid-19 taskforce on providing security for delivery of vaccines next month .
The discussions follow warnings from Europol and Interpol that shipments are possible targets for organised criminals who will seek to sell them on the black market .
No final decision has been made on the extent and nature of the security .
It is likely to include physical escorts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats .
It is understood no credible threat to vaccine shipments has been identified to date , although there is evidence from the US of attempts by foreign adversaries to hack into “ cold-chain ” systems necessary to store the vaccine .

Nurse May Parsons administers the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine to Margaret Keenan at University Hospital in Coventry, central England, on December 8th. Photograph: Jacob King/Getty
The Government’s Covid vaccine taskforce was expected to issue its plan on the rollout of the vaccines to the Government this weekend.
It is expected the report by the High Level Vaccine Taskforce will recommend all healthcare workers, including GPs, nurses and pharmacists be considered in helping administer the vaccine programme, while sources indicated that recently retired qualified people could be re-employed.
Securing volumes, managing delivery of the vaccines and the timing of regulatory approval will be key milestones, with no expectation that meaningful volumes of vaccine will be administered this year, even if regulatory approval comes quicker than December 29th.
The report was prepared by a high level task force chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, which first met on November 23rd, with the aim of producing a report by December 11th.
READ MORE
The report will set out a national strategy for the procurement, distribution, and delivery of a Covid-19 vaccine, including the logistics of how the doses will be stored, transported and administered.
The rollout plan outlined in the report is expected to be discussed by Cabinet early on Tuesday.
Members of the task force included chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid, as well as a number of senior civil servants and officials working in procurement and other areas. The group also included external logistics experts, as well as representatives from the IDA and the Defence Forces.
Earlier this week the Government agreed which groups would be prioritised to receive the vaccine once it becomes available.
Residents aged over 65 in long term care facilities, such as nursing homes, frontline health care workers, and people over 70 years of age would be among the first to receive the vaccine.
The rollout of the vaccine will follow approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The European regulator is due to complete a final review of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of December at the latest, which could see the first doses administered in Ireland in January.
The EMA may approve a second vaccine produced by Moderna in early January, after which it would also be administered in Ireland.
The vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna must be stored at super low temperatures of minus 80, and minus 20 degrees respectively, and the task force had to examine how these would be stored and transported.
The HSE is already engaged in negotiations with GP groups over winter planning and Covid-specific issues.
Doctors say they are increasingly frustrated over "delay and confusion" about their role in the State's Covid vaccine plan. Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) GP chairman Dr Denis McCauley said there was a lack of clarity on the role to be played by family doctors.
GPs want to play a role but “the longer our keenness is held on tap, the more frustration will actually develop”, he said.
The expectation on Friday was that both mass vaccination centres and the GP and pharmacist network would be used, while the Government has sought assurances from drug companies manufacturing the vaccine that they were taking a no-trade-deal Brexit into account.
The report from the task force is expected to include guidance on how vaccination records should be maintained, and the uptake of the vaccine tracked.
On Tuesday, 90-year-old Margaret Keenan from Enniskillen became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, after it was approved by British medical regulators.
Meanwhile, senior gardaí are in consultations with the Government's Covid-19 taskforce on providing security for delivery of vaccines next month. The discussions follow warnings from Europol and Interpol that shipments are possible targets for organised criminals who will seek to sell them on the black market.
No final decision has been made on the extent and nature of the security. It is likely to include physical escorts and the use of intelligence sources to determine threats. It is understood no credible threat to vaccine shipments has been identified to date, although there is evidence from the US of attempts by foreign adversaries to hack into “cold-chain” systems necessary to store the vaccine.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--‘Forgotten’ Lord Mayor highlighted burning of Cork in US, says academic

Following in the steps of Cork ’ s martyred Lord Mayors , Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney was no easy task but Donal Óg O ’ Callaghan rose to the challenge and never more so than in the aftermath of the Burning of Cork 100 years ago this weekend , according to a leading academic .
Dr Aodh Quinlivan of the Department of Government and Politics at UCC has published his study of O ’ Callaghan entitled , “ Forgotten Lord Mayor - Donal Óg O ’ Callaghan 1920-1924 ” in which he charts how O ’ Callaghan was chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cork in November 1920 .
“ O Callaghan grew up on Peacock Lane on Cork ’ s northside and like Mac Curtain and Mac Swiney , he attended the North Monastery - he was reared in a strong Republican tradition and was involved in the Ancient Order of Hibernians , the Gaelic League , the IRB , the Irish Volunteers and Sinn Féin .
“ He was very disappointed at the failure of the Cork Volunteers to participate in the 1916 Easter Rising but he helped revive the fortunes of Sinn Féin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unlike MacCurtain and MacSwiney , he did not contest the local municipal elections of January 1920.
” Dr Quinlivan explained that O ’ Callaghan won a seat on Cork Corporation through an uncontested by-election in March 1920 but just eight days after his first Corporation meeting , the newly elected Lord Mayor of Cork , Tomás Mac Curtain was murdered in his home in Blackpool by a group of RIC men .
Also elected in a by-election to Cork County Council in June 1920 , O ’ Callaghan deputised on Cork Corporation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lord Mayor , Terence Mac Swiney when he was arrested by the British in August 1920 and went on hunger strike in protest .
Dr Quinlivan said that O ’ Callaghan , a close friend of both MacCurtain and MacSwiney , provided strong leadership in Cork upon his election as Lord Mayor , following Mac Swiney ’ s death in Brixton Prison on October 25th 1920 after 74 days on hunger strike .
He said that O ’ Callaghan issued a statement mourning the death of MacSwiney : “ The Republican hold on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the last Republican in Cork has followed Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney into the grave .
Death will not terrorise us ” .
According to Dr Quinlivan , O ’ Callaghan was just five weeks in office when drunken Auxiliaries went on the rampage in Cork on the night of December 11th/12th , setting fire to the heart of the city and causing £20 million worth of damage in retaliation for an IRA ambush near Dillon ’ s Cross .
“ He walked with Sinn Féin TD , Liam de Roiste through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after , which led de Roiste to write that Cork had suffered “ a night of terror and destruction ” when so much of the city were destroyed and what was left was “ a scene of desolation and frightfulness .
Fearful for O ’ Callaghan ’ s safety , de Roiste organised later in December for O ’ Callaghan to be smuggled aboard the ship , West Cannon to the United States where he quickly made an impact as a witness to what had happened in Cork when the city was burnt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It was in America that O ’ Callaghan really shone - he gave evidence before the US Commission on Conditions in Ireland and most of that was about the burning of Cork , which he very definitively blamed on the Crown Forces in Ireland and he proved very much a star witness .
“ He gave evidence over two days and he was greatly praised , particularly in terms of how well prepared he was because he came with masses of paperwork , by the chairman of the Commission , Levi Hollingsworth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his evidence , ” said Dr Quinlivan .
“ And that ’ s reflected in the Commission ’ s report which was published in Washington in 1921 - the Commission obviously summarised the evidence and testimony that was provided by people but they more or less reproduced O ’ Callaghan ’ s testimony in total .
“ The Commission generated a lot of newspaper headlines particularly in the US and while the British side rubbished it because it was a pretty one sided affair , it did build up support and certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause of Irish freedom and O ’ Callaghan was central to that .
”

Following in the steps of Cork's martyred Lord Mayors, Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney was no easy task but Donal Óg O'Callaghan rose to the challenge and never more so than in the aftermath of the Burning of Cork 100 years ago this weekend, according to a leading academic.
Dr Aodh Quinlivan of the Department of Government and Politics at UCC has published his study of O'Callaghan entitled, "Forgotten Lord Mayor - Donal Óg O'Callaghan 1920-1924" in which he charts how O'Callaghan was chosen to succeed MacSwiney as Lord Mayor of Cork in November 1920.
"O Callaghan grew up on Peacock Lane on Cork's northside and like Mac Curtain and Mac Swiney, he attended the North Monastery - he was reared in a strong Republican tradition and was involved in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Gaelic League, the IRB, the Irish Volunteers and Sinn Féin.
“He was very disappointed at the failure of the Cork Volunteers to participate in the 1916 Easter Rising but he helped revive the fortunes of Sinn Féin in Cork city in the following years though, unlike MacCurtain and MacSwiney, he did not contest the local municipal elections of January 1920.”
READ MORE
Dr Quinlivan explained that O'Callaghan won a seat on Cork Corporation through an uncontested by-election in March 1920 but just eight days after his first Corporation meeting, the newly elected Lord Mayor of Cork, Tomás Mac Curtain was murdered in his home in Blackpool by a group of RIC men.
Also elected in a by-election to Cork County Council in June 1920, O'Callaghan deputised on Cork Corporation for Mac Curtain's successor as Lord Mayor, Terence Mac Swiney when he was arrested by the British in August 1920 and went on hunger strike in protest.
Dr Quinlivan said that O'Callaghan, a close friend of both MacCurtain and MacSwiney, provided strong leadership in Cork upon his election as Lord Mayor, following Mac Swiney's death in Brixton Prison on October 25th 1920 after 74 days on hunger strike.
He said that O’Callaghan issued a statement mourning the death of MacSwiney: “The Republican hold on the Municipal Chair of Cork ceases only when the last Republican in Cork has followed Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney into the grave. Death will not terrorise us”.
According to Dr Quinlivan, O’Callaghan was just five weeks in office when drunken Auxiliaries went on the rampage in Cork on the night of December 11th/12th, setting fire to the heart of the city and causing £20 million worth of damage in retaliation for an IRA ambush near Dillon’s Cross.
“He walked with Sinn Féin TD, Liam de Roiste through the rubble of Cork on the morning after, which led de Roiste to write that Cork had suffered “a night of terror and destruction” when so much of the city were destroyed and what was left was “a scene of desolation and frightfulness.
Fearful for O'Callaghan's safety, de Roiste organised later in December for O'Callaghan to be smuggled aboard the ship, West Cannon to the United States where he quickly made an impact as a witness to what had happened in Cork when the city was burnt by Auxiliaries, said Dr Quinlivan.
"It was in America that O'Callaghan really shone - he gave evidence before the US Commission on Conditions in Ireland and most of that was about the burning of Cork, which he very definitively blamed on the Crown Forces in Ireland and he proved very much a star witness.
"He gave evidence over two days and he was greatly praised, particularly in terms of how well prepared he was because he came with masses of paperwork, by the chairman of the Commission, Levi Hollingsworth Wood who was very impressed with him and his evidence," said Dr Quinlivan.
“And that’s reflected in the Commission’s report which was published in Washington in 1921 - the Commission obviously summarised the evidence and testimony that was provided by people but they more or less reproduced O’Callaghan’s testimony in total.
“The Commission generated a lot of newspaper headlines particularly in the US and while the British side rubbished it because it was a pretty one sided affair, it did build up support and certainly hardened opinion in the US for the cause of Irish freedom and O’Callaghan was central to that.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--People urged to do Christmas shopping alone, at off-peak times, wearing masks

People have been urged by the Government to do their Christmas shopping at off-peak times and on their own amid continued concern around the spread of coronavirus .
The Government ’ s Regulators ’ Forum met on Friday and heard reports of high levels of compliance to date in businesses and organisations that have been inspected .
The forum is made up of Government departments , agencies and other bodies involved in compliance and enforcement of Covid-19 public health guidance and regulations It includes representatives from the Health and Safety Authority , the Environmental Health Service of the HSE , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture , Food and Marine , the Schools Inspectorate of the Department of Education , Tusla , the County and City Management Association , Fáilte Ireland , and an An Garda Síochána , In a statement on Saturday morning it said a high level of inspections would be continuing in the days ahead and the Garda would be continuing its compliance work “ with high visibility patrols over the weekend , and the carrying out of checks of licensed premises under Operation Navigation.
” The statement added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed , a number of “ issues of concern ” were raised including around Saturday ’ s All-Ireland camogie final , Sunday ’ s All-Ireland hurling final and Christmas shopping activity .
“ Ahead of a high profile weekend of sport , in particular for the GAA , the importance of supporting your team in a safe way was highlighted - fans and the hospitality sector are called upon to fully respect public health guidance , ” it said .
It said , where possible , “ people are encouraged to shop at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended their opening hours to facilitate a safer shopping experience .
“ Shoppers are also encouraged to shop individually where possible ” .
It said people should wear face masks in public areas in cluding busy outdoor spaces such as shopping streets and in queues .
“ Businesses are reminded that no organised indoor gatherings should take place .
This means that restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants should not organise any events in their premises.
” The number of people in ICU with Covid-19 has crept up in recent days and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crease of one since Friday night , with 190 people in hospital with the virus , an increase of three from last night .
On Friday night , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan urged people to take responsibility for their own safety with activity ramping-up ahead of Christmas , as a further 313 cases and three deaths were reported .
Dr Holohan stressed the importance of individuals recognising the risks they find themselves exposed to .
In it ’ s daily statement on Friday , the Department of Health said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the disease and 2,120 related deaths since the pandemic reached Ireland .
Of the latest 313 cases , there were 70 in Dublin , 31 in Mayo , 21 in Kilkenny , 19 in Donegal , 18 in Laois with the remaining 154 cases spread across 19 other counties .
The median age of the cases was 35 years and 67 per cent were among under 45 years .
Three of the top five worst areas in the country for the 14-day incidence rate of coronavirus are in Co Donegal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six times the national average , latest official data released on Thursday night shows .
The 14-day rate per 100,000 population is a useful measure of how the virus is spreading , and the Government tracks it across the country ’ s 166 local electoral areas .
The 14-day rate across the Republic is 80.2 per 100,000 population .
The updated figures on the Government ’ s data hub show the Covid 19 incidence rate in Carndonagh at 518.7 per 100,000 population .
The figure in the Inishowen town has more than doubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is almost 6.5 times the national rate .

People have been urged by the Government to do their Christmas shopping at off-peak times and on their own amid continued concern around the spread of coronavirus.
The Government’s Regulators’ Forum met on Friday and heard reports of high levels of compliance to date in businesses and organisations that have been inspected.
The forum is made up of Government departments, agencies and other bodies involved in compliance and enforcement of Covid-19 public health guidance and regulations
Hospital Report
It includes representatives from the Health and Safety Authority, the Environmental Health Service of the HSE, the Workplace Relations Commission, the Veterinary Inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Schools Inspectorate of the Department of Education, Tusla, the County and City Management Association, Fáilte Ireland, and an An Garda Síochána,
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In a statement on Saturday morning it said a high level of inspections would be continuing in the days ahead and the Garda would be continuing its compliance work “with high visibility patrols over the weekend, and the carrying out of checks of licensed premises under Operation Navigation.”
The statement added that while the high level of compliance was welcomed, a number of "issues of concern" were raised including around Saturday's All-Ireland camogie final, Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final and Christmas shopping activity.
“Ahead of a high profile weekend of sport, in particular for the GAA, the importance of supporting your team in a safe way was highlighted - fans and the hospitality sector are called upon to fully respect public health guidance,” it said.
It said, where possible, “people are encouraged to shop at off-peak times, with many retailers having extended their opening hours to facilitate a safer shopping experience.
“Shoppers are also encouraged to shop individually where possible”.
It said people should wear face masks in public areas in cluding busy outdoor spaces such as shopping streets and in queues.
“Businesses are reminded that no organised indoor gatherings should take place. This means that restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants should not organise any events in their premises.”
Intensive care
The number of people in ICU with Covid-19 has crept up in recent days and was at 35 on Saturday morning, and in crease of one since Friday night, with 190 people in hospital with the virus, an increase of three from last night.
On Friday night, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan urged people to take responsibility for their own safety with activity ramping-up ahead of Christmas, as a further 313 cases and three deaths were reported.
Dr Holohan stressed the importance of individuals recognising the risks they find themselves exposed to. In it's daily statement on Friday, the Department of Health said there has been a total of 75,507 confirmed cases of the disease and 2,120 related deaths since the pandemic reached Ireland.
Of the latest 313 cases, there were 70 in Dublin, 31 in Mayo, 21 in Kilkenny, 19 in Donegal, 18 in Laois with the remaining 154 cases spread across 19 other counties. The median age of the cases was 35 years and 67 per cent were among under 45 years.
Three of the top five worst areas in the country for the 14-day incidence rate of coronavirus are in Co Donegal, with Carndonagh’s rate more than six times the national average, latest official data released on Thursday night shows.
The 14-day rate per 100,000 population is a useful measure of how the virus is spreading, and the Government tracks it across the country’s 166 local electoral areas. The 14-day rate across the Republic is 80.2 per 100,000 population.
The updated figures on the Government's data hub show the Covid 19 incidence rate in Carndonagh at 518.7 per 100,000 population. The figure in the Inishowen town has more than doubled from last week (271.2) and is almost 6.5 times the national rate.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Waterford pub to stay closed for hurling final as gardaí warn GAA fans

A pub in Co Waterford has decided to keep its doors shut for the All-Ireland hurling final with the “ parish ’ s best interests at heart ” .
Waterford take on Limerick at 3.30pm in behind closed doors Croke Park on Sunday and concern has been expressed that fans may gather to watch the match in large numbers .
But Crotty ’ s Inn in Lemybrien , Co Waterford tweeted on Friday evening : “ Unfortunately due to huge demand , and having our parish ’ s best interests at heart prior to Xmas , we ’ ve decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurling final.
” The pub added : “ We will be open on Monday , hopefully celebrating an All Ireland victory .
Wouldn ’ t that be something ?
!
” On Friday gardaí warned hurling fans to enjoy this weekends ’ s events by following the public health guidelines and regulations .
“ An Garda Síochána has been liaising closely with the GAA at national and county level to ensure all possible measures are in place to minimise the spread of Covid-19 among supporters before , during and after the match .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ working with licensed premises ” particularly in Limerick and Waterford , to ensure their compliance with public health guidelines and regulations .
The Garda will be mounting patrols focusing on key city and urban locations particularly in the evenings this weekend .
“ An Garda Síochána and the GAA have stressed the need for supporters to remember their individual and collective responsibility to tackle the spread of Covid-19 , ” the Garda statement added .
Deputy Commissioner , Policing & Security , John Twomey said : “ As a life-long GAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how much being in an All-Ireland Final means to the people of Limerick and Waterford , particularly after this difficult year .
“ We want this to be a great occasion for everyone , but we all must remember that Covid-19 doesn ’ t take a day-off even for an All-Ireland Final .
Covid-19 is still among us .
It is still spreading among our communities .
People are seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.
” He advised fans to leave a premises if there are too many people there .
to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Wash your hands regularly .
Wear a face mask where appropriate .
Remember , according to Nphet , shouting and singing can easily spread Covid-19 .
People need to bear these things in mind when making decisions about where to support their team.
” Policing measures will also be in place in Dublin and Mayo for the All-Ireland Football Final on December 19th .

“We’ve decided not to open this Sunday for the hurling final” - Crotty’s Inn will stay shut for Sunday’s big match. Photograph: Google Street.
A pub in Co Waterford has decided to keep its doors shut for the All-Ireland hurling final with the "parish's best interests at heart".
Waterford take on Limerick at 3.30pm in behind closed doors Croke Park on Sunday and concern has been expressed that fans may gather to watch the match in large numbers.
But Crotty's Inn in Lemybrien, Co Waterford tweeted on Friday evening: "Unfortunately due to huge demand , and having our parish's best interests at heart prior to Xmas, we've decided not to open this Sunday for the hurling final."
Unfortunately due to huge demand , and having our parish’s best interests at heart prior to Xmas, we’ve decided not to open this Sunday for the hurling final.
We will be open on Monday, hopefully celebrating an All Ireland victory.
Wouldnt that be something ?!
— Crottys Lemybrien (@crottysinn) December 11, 2020
The pub added: “We will be open on Monday, hopefully celebrating an All Ireland victory. Wouldn’t that be something ?!”
READ MORE
On Friday gardaí warned hurling fans to enjoy this weekends’s events by following the public health guidelines and regulations.
"An Garda Síochána has been liaising closely with the GAA at national and county level to ensure all possible measures are in place to minimise the spread of Covid-19 among supporters before, during and after the match.
It added that they had been has been “working with licensed premises” particularly in Limerick and Waterford, to ensure their compliance with public health guidelines and regulations.
The Garda will be mounting patrols focusing on key city and urban locations particularly in the evenings this weekend.
“An Garda Síochána and the GAA have stressed the need for supporters to remember their individual and collective responsibility to tackle the spread of Covid-19,” the Garda statement added.
Deputy Commissioner, Policing & Security, John Twomey said: "As a life-long GAA member and former inter-county hurler, I know how much being in an All-Ireland Final means to the people of Limerick and Waterford, particularly after this difficult year.
“We want this to be a great occasion for everyone, but we all must remember that Covid-19 doesn’t take a day-off even for an All-Ireland Final. Covid-19 is still among us. It is still spreading among our communities. People are seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.”
He advised fans to leave a premises if there are too many people there. to limit contacts. and maintain social distancing.
“Wash your hands regularly. Wear a face mask where appropriate. Remember, according to Nphet, shouting and singing can easily spread Covid-19. People need to bear these things in mind when making decisions about where to support their team.”
Policing measures will also be in place in Dublin and Mayo for the All-Ireland Football Final on December 19th.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Dublin Lord Mayor presents homeless strategy ‘wish list’ to Housing Minister

A further moritorium on evictions and the creation of a youth homelessness strategy are among five key recommendations in a “ wish list ” report given to Government on Friday .
The Lord Mayor ’ s taskforce in Dublin , which has met 13 times in an effort to tackle the homelessness problem , expects a formal response to its report from the Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien after Christmas .
Although no funding has been secured for any of the measures proposed , the Lord Mary Hazel Chu said she was enthused by a meeting with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be done if required .
“ The ball is in his court but let ’ s be honest , it ’ s in all our courts .
If he says we want to work on this but you have to give us figures we would be happy to do that , ” she said .
“ It ’ s not all costed yet but it can be.
” The Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The report has sought an increase in funding for the Dublin Region Homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the Peter McVerry Trust ’ s Housing First programme , and for a greater investment in health supports .
It is also looking for funding towards the implementation of a DRHE report on day and evening services .
Ms Chu said her meeting with the Minister was positive and that he demonstrated an interest in the issues but what ultimately happens as a result of the taskforce recommendations will not be known until a further meeting in January .
Various stakeholders including Dublin Simon , the Alice Leahy Trust , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project , Threshold , Focus Ireland , the HSE , Tusla and service users all assisted in the report ’ s production .

Report has sought increase in funding for the DHRE Street Outreach programme and for the Peter McVerry Trust’s Housing First programme. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
A further moritorium on evictions and the creation of a youth homelessness strategy are among five key recommendations in a "wish list" report given to Government on Friday.
The Lord Mayor's taskforce in Dublin, which has met 13 times in an effort to tackle the homelessness problem, expects a formal response to its report from the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien after Christmas.
Although no funding has been secured for any of the measures proposed, the Lord Mary Hazel Chu said she was enthused by a meeting with the Minister on Friday and said further work can be done if required.
“The ball is in his court but let’s be honest, it’s in all our courts. If he says we want to work on this but you have to give us figures we would be happy to do that,” she said. “It’s not all costed yet but it can be.”
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The Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The report has sought an increase in funding for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) Street Outreach programme and for the Peter McVerry Trust’s Housing First programme, and for a greater investment in health supports.
It is also looking for funding towards the implementation of a DRHE report on day and evening services.
Ms Chu said her meeting with the Minister was positive and that he demonstrated an interest in the issues but what ultimately happens as a result of the taskforce recommendations will not be known until a further meeting in January.
Various stakeholders including Dublin Simon, the Alice Leahy Trust, the Mendicity Institution, the Ana Liffey Drug Project, Threshold, Focus Ireland, the HSE, Tusla and service users all assisted in the report's production.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Det Garda Colm Horkan to be honoured by local club with memorial pitch

Detective Garda Colm Horkan , who was murdered while on duty in Co Roscommon earlier this year , is set to be honoured with a memorial pitch at his local GAA club .
Charlestown Sarsfields in Co Mayo has this week unveiled plans to honour the late club member who would have turned 50 this Sunday .
Det Gadra Horkan ( 49 ) was shot dead on Main Street , Castlerea , on June 17th .
Stephen Silver , of Aughaward , Foxford , Co Mayo , was arrested at the scene and has been charged with capital murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the development of the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch is a “ lovely way to honour his memory ” .
Det Garda Horkan was revered in his community for his stellar football career and for winning at every grade from Under 8s to the Connacht title .
He also coached the Under 10 team up until he died .
He had a “ great relationship with everyone in the club ” , Pádraig Horkan said , adding : “ It is a lovely tribute to him , and as a family we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up until he died , Det Garda Horkan would be proud that the new facilities will benefit young players for generations to come , Pádraig Horkan said .
“ He wasn ’ t really one to be in the limelight ; he liked to keep in the background , but I think he would be happy with this , ” he added .
The idea for a memorial pitch and walkway came about on the day of Det Garda Horkan ’ s funeral .
Sarsfields club chairman and first cousin of Det Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the public quickly “ came looking to us to support something ” .
“ We wanted to find a way to channel that support .
It really was people coming to us .
They just wanted to be associated with him , ” Mr Breheny explained .
“ Colm was everything that was right with things .
He was such a giant of a person that we felt a plaque or something like that just didn ’ t seem fitting , ” he added .
While some rural clubs in Co Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charlestown Sarsfields has grown .
There are more players training at senior levels now since people have moved back to the village while working from home in the pandemic .
The new all-weather floodlit pitch will help the club cater to its 200 junior players and 170 adult members , Mr Breheny said .
“ After being blighted by emigration in the 60s , 70s , and 80s , for once it seems we are going upwards .
.
.
This will allow us to develop and keep with our numbers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years ’ time when kids are going down to play they will ask if their game is on the front pitch or Colm ’ s pitch .
That is the biggest legacy — that his name will live on , ” Mr Breheny added .
As Det Garda Horkan was due to hit a milestone birthday this Sunday , along with his late twin sister Collette , the Horkan family are facing another “ tough weekend ” , Pádraig Horkan said .
“ Christmas couldn ’ t start and the decorations couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s birthday was out of the way .
He loved his birthday , ” he said .
“ We have a great community here around us and I am sure we will get together to honour his memory and maybe have a can or two , ” he said .
Donations can be made via the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch website .

Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was murdered while on duty in Co Roscommon earlier this year, is set to be honoured with a memorial pitch at his local GAA club.
Charlestown Sarsfields in Co Mayo has this week unveiled plans to honour the late club member who would have turned 50 this Sunday.
Det Gadra Horkan (49) was shot dead on Main Street, Castlerea, on June 17th. Stephen Silver, of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with capital murder.
Mr Horkan’s younger brother Pádraig said the development of the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch is a “lovely way to honour his memory”. Det Garda Horkan was revered in his community for his stellar football career and for winning at every grade from Under 8s to the Connacht title. He also coached the Under 10 team up until he died.
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He had a “great relationship with everyone in the club”, Pádraig Horkan said, adding: “It is a lovely tribute to him, and as a family we are touched.”
A coach to underage players up until he died, Det Garda Horkan would be proud that the new facilities will benefit young players for generations to come, Pádraig Horkan said.
“He wasn’t really one to be in the limelight; he liked to keep in the background, but I think he would be happy with this,” he added.
The idea for a memorial pitch and walkway came about on the day of Det Garda Horkan’s funeral. Sarsfields club chairman and first cousin of Det Garda Horkan, Liam Breheny, said members of the public quickly “came looking to us to support something”.
Plan drawing of the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch
“We wanted to find a way to channel that support. It really was people coming to us. They just wanted to be associated with him,” Mr Breheny explained.
“Colm was everything that was right with things. He was such a giant of a person that we felt a plaque or something like that just didn’t seem fitting,” he added.
While some rural clubs in Co Mayo are amalgamating due to declining numbers, Charlestown Sarsfields has grown. There are more players training at senior levels now since people have moved back to the village while working from home in the pandemic. The new all-weather floodlit pitch will help the club cater to its 200 junior players and 170 adult members, Mr Breheny said.
“After being blighted by emigration in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, for once it seems we are going upwards . . . This will allow us to develop and keep with our numbers,” he said.
“In 20 or 30 years’ time when kids are going down to play they will ask if their game is on the front pitch or Colm’s pitch. That is the biggest legacy — that his name will live on,” Mr Breheny added.
As Det Garda Horkan was due to hit a milestone birthday this Sunday, along with his late twin sister Collette, the Horkan family are facing another “tough weekend”, Pádraig Horkan said.
“Christmas couldn’t start and the decorations couldn’t go up until Colm’s birthday was out of the way. He loved his birthday,” he said.
“We have a great community here around us and I am sure we will get together to honour his memory and maybe have a can or two,” he said.
Donations can be made via the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch website.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Turkeys culled on Wicklow farm following bird flu outbreak

A flock of turkeys on a farm in south Wicklow has been culled after an outbreak of bird flu was detected .
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the H5N8 strain of the avian influenza was discovered in a “ small free-range flock ” in Co Wicklow .
Further tests are being carried out to determine the pathogenicity and results are expected over the coming days .
The department has established a protection zone around an area near Knockananna .
All affected birds in Wicklow have been killed .
In a statement , the department said the highly pathogenic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild birds in a number of counties across the country .
The department is urging poultry farmers to follow strict precautionary measures and report any suspicion of disease to their nearest regional veterinary office .
“ These findings pose a risk to all poultry flocks and captive birds and , by extension , the poultry industry , ” a spokesperson said “ It is important to note that there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of poultry meat.
” Bird flu outbreaks have also been identified in poultry flocks in Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denmark , Sweden , Poland , Croatia and Ukraine in recent weeks .
Earlier this week , Sky News reported that around 25,000 turkeys would be culled following an outbreak in west Norfolk , England .
No human infections have been reported worldwide and the risk to humans is considered to be “ very low ” , according to the Department of Agriculture here .
Nonetheless , members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds .

Department of Agriculture has confirmed that H5N8 strain of avian influenza was discovered in a ‘small free-range flock’ in Co Wicklow. Photograph: iStock
A flock of turkeys on a farm in south Wicklow has been culled after an outbreak of bird flu was detected.
The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the H5N8 strain of the avian influenza was discovered in a “small free-range flock” in Co Wicklow. Further tests are being carried out to determine the pathogenicity and results are expected over the coming days. The department has established a protection zone around an area near Knockananna. All affected birds in Wicklow have been killed.
In a statement, the department said the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 had been confirmed in wild birds in a number of counties across the country. The department is urging poultry farmers to follow strict precautionary measures and report any suspicion of disease to their nearest regional veterinary office.
“These findings pose a risk to all poultry flocks and captive birds and, by extension, the poultry industry,” a spokesperson said
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“It is important to note that there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of poultry meat.”
Bird flu outbreaks have also been identified in poultry flocks in Britain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Croatia and Ukraine in recent weeks. Earlier this week, Sky News reported that around 25,000 turkeys would be culled following an outbreak in west Norfolk, England.
No human infections have been reported worldwide and the risk to humans is considered to be “very low”, according to the Department of Agriculture here. Nonetheless, members of the public are advised not to handle sick or dead wild birds.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Unemployed people twice as likely to be depressed as those employed, CSO finds

People who are out of work are twice as likely to be depressed as those in employment , an Irish health survey has found .
More than a fifth of people who are unemployed report some form of depression , compared to nine per cent of the working population .
Unemployed people also report a poorer health status .
The survey of 7,621 people aged 15 and over , conducted by the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) in 2019 and early 2020 , also found that wealth has a significant impact on a person ’ s health status .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people perceive their health status to be good or very good , just 78 per cent of very disadvantaged people view their health so positively .
Disadvantaged people are also more likely to suffer from high blood pressure , but they are less inclined to report being absent from work due to a health-related problem .
While 24 per cent of affluent people report missing work due to health issues , just 16 per cent of disadvantaged people say the same .
Non-Irish nationals view their health status more favourably than natives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in good or very good health , while 84 per cent of Irish nationals report similar .
People living in the Midlands - comprising Longford , Offaly , Westmeath and Laois - view their health least positively of Irish residents and are most likely to be living with a long-lasting condition .
Just 79 per cent of people from the region report good or better health compared to 88 per cent of people living in the southeast .
As previous research has suggested , men are less likely than women to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , such as flu vaccines or blood pressure checks .
Of those surveyed , 68 per cent of men said they had visited a GP in the previous 12 months compared to 82 per cent of women .
Men are also less likely to visit a dentist or medical consultant , but they are equally inclined to visit a physiotherapist or a psychiatrist .
People aged 15 to 34 are three times more likely to attend a psychiatrist than people aged 65 and over .
Meanwhile , almost half of 15 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more units of alcohol in a single sitting at least once a month .
Over half the population is overweight , including 26 per cent of people who report being obese .
Men are more likely to be overweight , with 61 per cent saying they are overweight or obese compared with just under half of women .
The Irish Health Survey is part of an EU-wide initiative and results will be compared with those of other member states when all the data is collated .

More than a fifth of people who are unemployed report some form of depression, compared to nine per cent of the working population. Photograph: iStock
People who are out of work are twice as likely to be depressed as those in employment, an Irish health survey has found.
More than a fifth of people who are unemployed report some form of depression, compared to nine per cent of the working population. Unemployed people also report a poorer health status.
The survey of 7,621 people aged 15 and over, conducted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in 2019 and early 2020, also found that wealth has a significant impact on a person’s health status. While 92 per cent of very affluent people perceive their health status to be good or very good, just 78 per cent of very disadvantaged people view their health so positively.
Disadvantaged people are also more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, but they are less inclined to report being absent from work due to a health-related problem. While 24 per cent of affluent people report missing work due to health issues, just 16 per cent of disadvantaged people say the same.
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Non-Irish nationals view their health status more favourably than natives. Nine in 10 non-Irish nationals believe they are in good or very good health, while 84 per cent of Irish nationals report similar. People living in the Midlands - comprising Longford, Offaly, Westmeath and Laois - view their health least positively of Irish residents and are most likely to be living with a long-lasting condition. Just 79 per cent of people from the region report good or better health compared to 88 per cent of people living in the southeast.
As previous research has suggested, men are less likely than women to seek medical help or avail of preventative health services, such as flu vaccines or blood pressure checks. Of those surveyed, 68 per cent of men said they had visited a GP in the previous 12 months compared to 82 per cent of women. Men are also less likely to visit a dentist or medical consultant, but they are equally inclined to visit a physiotherapist or a psychiatrist.
People aged 15 to 34 are three times more likely to attend a psychiatrist than people aged 65 and over. Meanwhile, almost half of 15 to 24 year olds report drinking six or more units of alcohol in a single sitting at least once a month.
Over half the population is overweight, including 26 per cent of people who report being obese. Men are more likely to be overweight, with 61 per cent saying they are overweight or obese compared with just under half of women.
The Irish Health Survey is part of an EU-wide initiative and results will be compared with those of other member states when all the data is collated.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Another Life: Moss growth this year has been exceptional

In a rainy autumn , the moss grew thick as a rug on the concrete path to our door .
A wavy white trail was worn down the middle by the postman , the SuperValu delivery man and a few fond and obliging friends in masks .
A bit ashamed , I took a spade to skim it off .
Our daughter will come from Dublin at Christmas , the first time in almost a year , having quarantined for a fortnight with all her shopping done ; we are hobbits enough already .
The moss growth has been quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hourly by the ocean ’ s exhalations .
In dryer climes , it ’ s said that a boy scout lost in a wood could find north by seeing which side of the tree trunks the moss was on .
Among our trees , he ’ d be walking round and round .
Many beautiful mosses found in the woods are worth kneeling down to admire , but this isn ’ t one of them .
Its dark green fuzz has all the appeal of a worn and soggy rug .
Ask Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the answers would sooner discuss power hoses and other stuff to spray .
Actually , a lot of mosses love concrete , with its mix of ground limestone and minerals .
As wild plant life I might prefer to let it grow but the supermarket delivery man could have a skid with his big basket .
Another ground-dwelling substance objected to by many readers is the blue-green alga called nostoc .
Its frequent substrate is limestone gravel , used throughout Ireland on paths , drives and flat roofs .
In dry spells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain swells it into a bubbly and slippery imitation of seaweed .
Found globally , it was one of those unconsidered , pioneering cellular forms that helped create oxygen for later humans to breathe .
An American scientist , Malcolm Potts , traced its original naming to the 15th-century Swiss physician Paracelsus .
Familiar with “ the gelatinous colonies of the ubiquitous terrestrial cyanobacterium nostoc commune , ” Potts proposed , Paracelsus played on fables of “ excrement blown from the nostrils of some rheumatic planet.
” In “ nostoch ” – first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ melded German and Old English words for the nose .
“ Star snot ” and “ star jelly ” have been among English folk names for sudden and puzzling lumps of transparent goo , deposited on grass or twigs of trees and sometimes reported to Eye on Nature .
Much imagined in the past as the stellar debris of meteor showers , it has been assessed by the British Natural History Museum as the eggless spawn of female frogs , coughed up in mid-air from the gullets of predatory herons .
Which brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colourful blobs that have figured in recent inquiries .
They belong to the slime moulds , the myxomycetes , a group of strange and shape-shifting micro-organisms that hover at the biological boundary between plant and animal life .
Readers have variously described Mucilago crustacea as dollops of scrambled egg or something the dog might have vomited .
The largest species in Ireland is the tapioca slime mould , Brefeldia maxima , which may cover a square metre of fallen leaves or sheath a branch in a conifer forest .
Closely related to amoebae @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with multiple nuclei , called the plasmodium .
This can move about to find food ( bacteria and fungi on fallen leaves or rotting wood ) , if not at a pace that catches the human eye .
A one-centimetre plasmodium can crawl about 10cm a day , the bigger ones even further .
One species of slime mould propels itself up tree trunks to feed on bracket fungi .
A plasmodium can also have amazing shape-shifting powers , feeding itself into a crevice one end of a rotting log and expanding again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the species Physarum polycephalum has even demonstrated an apparent cellular “ intelligence ” .
An experiment reported in 2000 showed the mould finding the shortest route through a laboratory maze .
Studies since then have shown it making decisions and learning habitual behaviour .
Revelations on Physarum , said the Journal of Physics this year , “ have triggered a surge of activity in numerous fields including physics , cell biology , genetics , behavioural ecology , computer science , natural computation and cognition among others , as well as philosophy of science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the latest count , Ireland has 228 myxomycete species , 142 of them in Co Wicklow .
Very many of these have been described by Dr Roland McHugh of the Dublin Institute of Technology , now an authority on their kind .
Given the many mysteries of slime moulds , it ’ s a nice match to find that Dr McHugh ’ s other lifelong obsession has been with James Joyce ’ s Finnegans Wake , to which he has published a widely praised book of annotations .
Its line-by-line notes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a notoriously shape-shifting book .

In a rainy autumn, the moss grew thick as a rug on the concrete path to our door. A wavy white trail was worn down the middle by the postman, the SuperValu delivery man and a few fond and obliging friends in masks.
A bit ashamed, I took a spade to skim it off. Our daughter will come from Dublin at Christmas, the first time in almost a year, having quarantined for a fortnight with all her shopping done; we are hobbits enough already.
The moss growth has been quite exceptional, thriving in an atmosphere thickened hourly by the ocean’s exhalations. In dryer climes, it’s said that a boy scout lost in a wood could find north by seeing which side of the tree trunks the moss was on. Among our trees, he’d be walking round and round.
Many beautiful mosses found in the woods are worth kneeling down to admire, but this isn’t one of them. Its dark green fuzz has all the appeal of a worn and soggy rug.
READ MORE
Ask Google which moss grows on concrete in Connacht and the answers would sooner discuss power hoses and other stuff to spray. Actually, a lot of mosses love concrete, with its mix of ground limestone and minerals. As wild plant life I might prefer to let it grow but the supermarket delivery man could have a skid with his big basket.
Another ground-dwelling substance objected to by many readers is the blue-green alga called nostoc. Its frequent substrate is limestone gravel, used throughout Ireland on paths, drives and flat roofs. In dry spells it remains flaccid and unremarked, but rain swells it into a bubbly and slippery imitation of seaweed.
Found globally, it was one of those unconsidered, pioneering cellular forms that helped create oxygen for later humans to breathe. An American scientist, Malcolm Potts, traced its original naming to the 15th-century Swiss physician Paracelsus.
Familiar with “the gelatinous colonies of the ubiquitous terrestrial cyanobacterium nostoc commune,” Potts proposed, Paracelsus played on fables of “excrement blown from the nostrils of some rheumatic planet.” In “nostoch” – first with an “h” – he melded German and Old English words for the nose.
“Star snot” and “star jelly” have been among English folk names for sudden and puzzling lumps of transparent goo, deposited on grass or twigs of trees and sometimes reported to Eye on Nature. Much imagined in the past as the stellar debris of meteor showers, it has been assessed by the British Natural History Museum as the eggless spawn of female frogs, coughed up in mid-air from the gullets of predatory herons.
Myxomycetes
Which brings us to other, more complex and colourful blobs that have figured in recent inquiries. They belong to the slime moulds, the myxomycetes, a group of strange and shape-shifting micro-organisms that hover at the biological boundary between plant and animal life.
Readers have variously described Mucilago crustacea as dollops of scrambled egg or something the dog might have vomited. The largest species in Ireland is the tapioca slime mould, Brefeldia maxima, which may cover a square metre of fallen leaves or sheath a branch in a conifer forest.
Closely related to amoebae, slime moulds develop a giant cell with multiple nuclei, called the plasmodium. This can move about to find food (bacteria and fungi on fallen leaves or rotting wood), if not at a pace that catches the human eye. A one-centimetre plasmodium can crawl about 10cm a day, the bigger ones even further.
One species of slime mould propels itself up tree trunks to feed on bracket fungi. A plasmodium can also have amazing shape-shifting powers, feeding itself into a crevice one end of a rotting log and expanding again at the other.
Japanese research with the species Physarum polycephalum has even demonstrated an apparent cellular “intelligence”. An experiment reported in 2000 showed the mould finding the shortest route through a laboratory maze. Studies since then have shown it making decisions and learning habitual behaviour.
Revelations on Physarum, said the Journal of Physics this year, “have triggered a surge of activity in numerous fields including physics, cell biology, genetics, behavioural ecology, computer science, natural computation and cognition among others, as well as philosophy of science and finally philosophy of mind”.
At the latest count, Ireland has 228 myxomycete species, 142 of them in Co Wicklow. Very many of these have been described by Dr Roland McHugh of the Dublin Institute of Technology, now an authority on their kind.
Given the many mysteries of slime moulds, it’s a nice match to find that Dr McHugh’s other lifelong obsession has been with James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, to which he has published a widely praised book of annotations. Its line-by-line notes are now considered a great aid to exploring a notoriously shape-shifting book.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--What is this creature I found in a rock pool? Readers’ nature queries

While out walking I met these three black swans on the Suir Blueway near my home .
– Kathleen Ryan , Clonmel , Co Tipperary There have been several reports of these exotic visitors to the Suir near Clonmel .
I first saw this fieldfare feeding on the crab apple tree outside my kitchen window and it ’ s now a daily visitor .
It chases away the other fieldfares , displaying the same habits as the blackbirds and the thrushes .
– Marian Carty , Drunshambo , Co Leitrim The fossil featured on November 21st , sent by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice specimen of a colonial coral , from the carboniferous limestone .
The branches of the colony are indeed like the branches of a plant .
– Gillian Sheehan , Co Limerick A friend and I were walking on Letter Hill , Tully Mountain , Co Galway , when we surprised , what we believe , was a juvenile snowy owl sheltering near the summit .
It seemed to have about a 3ft wingspan , about half the size of an adult male .
– Tim Redfern , Letterfrack , Co Galway My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rock pool .
Despite many years of coastal exploration , we have never come across something like this and would love to know what it is .
– Edel O ’ Dea Kenny , Balbriggan , Co Dublin It ’ s a sea sponge , probably the sulphur sponge also called the sea orange .
I was about to photograph a river Shannon scene when this guy popped up right beside me .
I ’ m sure you ’ ll be able to identify it .
My daughter tells me it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Loughill , Co Limerick Your daughter is right .
Every morning around dawn hundreds of rooks fly over our house from a woodland about two miles away , heading towards the coast .
In the evening as darkness falls they head back again .
Why do they do this ?
– Diana Duffy , Coolgreany , Co Wexford They are moving from their roost to feeding grounds .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie @ @ @ @ @ @

While out walking I met these three black swans on the Suir Blueway near my home. – Kathleen Ryan, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
There have been several reports of these exotic visitors to the Suir near Clonmel.
There have been several reports of these exotic visitors to the Suir near Clonmel.
This fieldfare chases away the others, displaying the same habits as the blackbirds and the thrushes.
I first saw this fieldfare feeding on the crab apple tree outside my kitchen window and it's now a daily visitor. It chases away the other fieldfares, displaying the same habits as the blackbirds and the thrushes. – Marian Carty, Drunshambo, Co Leitrim
A nice specimen of a colonial coral fossil from the Carboniferous limestone.
The fossil featured on November 21st, sent by a reader in Co Clare, is a nice specimen of a colonial coral, from the carboniferous limestone. The branches of the colony are indeed like the branches of a plant. – Gillian Sheehan, Co Limerick
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A snowy owl spotted near the summit of Tully Mountain, Co Galway.
A friend and I were walking on Letter Hill, Tully Mountain, Co Galway, when we surprised, what we believe, was a juvenile snowy owl sheltering near the summit. It seemed to have about a 3ft wingspan, about half the size of an adult male. – Tim Redfern, Letterfrack, Co Galway
A sea sponge found in Balbriggan, Co Dublin.
My son and I found this creature in a rock pool. Despite many years of coastal exploration, we have never come across something like this and would love to know what it is. – Edel O'Dea Kenny, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
It's a sea sponge, probably the sulphur sponge also called the sea orange.
An otter spotted in Co Limerick.
I was about to photograph a river Shannon scene when this guy popped up right beside me. I'm sure you'll be able to identify it. My daughter tells me it's an otter. – Fred Jones, Loughill, Co Limerick
Your daughter is right.
Every morning around dawn hundreds of rooks fly over our house from a woodland about two miles away, heading towards the coast. In the evening as darkness falls they head back again. Why do they do this? – Diana Duffy, Coolgreany, Co Wexford
They are moving from their roost to feeding grounds.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Burning of Cork by British forces in 1920 remembered

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has urged Irish people to view the events of the past through “ the measured eye of the discipline of history ” as a means towards reconciliation .
Mr Martin was speaking as he participated in a commemoration on Friday night to mark the Burning of Cork by British forces 100 years ago .
The ceremony featured a light projection which recreated the razing of Cork City Hall on the night of December 11th , 1920 .
He said it was important Irish people not only remember the momentous events that occurred in Cork during the struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homage to the revolutionary generation who helped make Ireland ’ s one of the world ’ s oldest continuous democracies .
“ There are certain events in a nation ’ s history that stand out in its struggle for independence .
The burning of this city 100 years ago to this very evening is one such moment , ” said Mr Martin at an event at Cork City Hall .
“ It is embedded into the memory and consciousness of all Corkonians , and stands there along with the murder of Tomás MacCurtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funeral of Terence MacSwiney , as elemental reminders of Cork ’ s contribution to Ireland ’ s struggle for Independence.
” Much of Cork city centre , including much of Patrick Street and adjoining streets down to Oliver Plunkett Street , was set ablaze , as was Cork City Hall across the south channel of the River Lee , when auxiliaries went on the rampage in the city , looting and burning buildings .
Auxiliaries equipped with cans of petrol set fires and shot dead Jeremiah Delany ( 20 ) and his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an IRA ambush at Dillon ’ s Cross near Victoria Barracks which led to the death of cadet Spencer Chapman ( 28 ) .
A former lord mayor of Cork , Mr Martin said great credit was due to the revolutionary generation of Irish men and women that , from the ashes of the city and all the broken dreams and painful legacies , they went on to build the dynamic independent country that Ireland is today .
“ The burning of Cork was an iconic moment in a period of great tumult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the past , we should do so not through rose-tinted glasses , but through the measured eye of the discipline of history , ” said Mr Martin .
“ We share an island where contested history , selective memory , and provocative assertions of identity can be barriers to mutual accommodation and the reconciliation necessary to our shared future , ” he added , at a ceremony where numbers were limited due to Covid-19 guidelines .
“ We stand on the shoulders of that revolutionary generation , they are our inspiration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us summon the courage and resilience of the past to meet the challenges of now , to build a better future for tomorrow.
” Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh noted that historians had identified Cork as “ the cockpit of the Irish Revolution ” and while the city and county accounted for just 9 per cent of the population of the island of Ireland in 1920 , it accounted for 34 per cent of all active IRA volunteers in the fight for freedom .
Cork saw more IRA ambushes and raids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of 1920 , the RIC had abandoned two-thirds of its barracks in Cork city and county because of the people ’ s resistance , he said .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘Let us summon the courage and resilience of the past to meet the challenges of now, to build a better future for tomorrow.’ Photograph: Francisco Seco/Pool/EPA
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has urged Irish people to view the events of the past through “the measured eye of the discipline of history” as a means towards reconciliation.
Mr Martin was speaking as he participated in a commemoration on Friday night to mark the Burning of Cork by British forces 100 years ago.
The ceremony featured a light projection which recreated the razing of Cork City Hall on the night of December 11th, 1920.
Something very special is beginning at City Hall as we mark the devastation that beset this city on this night 100 years ago #BurningofCork #Cork1920 pic.twitter.com/rVA8Zcl8tQ — Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 11, 2020
He said it was important Irish people not only remember the momentous events that occurred in Cork during the struggle for freedom but that they also pay homage to the revolutionary generation who helped make Ireland’s one of the world’s oldest continuous democracies.
READ MORE
“There are certain events in a nation’s history that stand out in its struggle for independence. The burning of this city 100 years ago to this very evening is one such moment,” said Mr Martin at an event at Cork City Hall.
“It is embedded into the memory and consciousness of all Corkonians, and stands there along with the murder of Tomás MacCurtain and the hunger strike, death and funeral of Terence MacSwiney, as elemental reminders of Cork’s contribution to Ireland’s struggle for Independence.”
Rampage
Much of Cork city centre, including much of Patrick Street and adjoining streets down to Oliver Plunkett Street, was set ablaze, as was Cork City Hall across the south channel of the River Lee, when auxiliaries went on the rampage in the city, looting and burning buildings.
Auxiliaries equipped with cans of petrol set fires and shot dead Jeremiah Delany (20) and his brother Cornelius (25) in retaliation for an IRA ambush at Dillon's Cross near Victoria Barracks which led to the death of cadet Spencer Chapman (28).
A former lord mayor of Cork, Mr Martin said great credit was due to the revolutionary generation of Irish men and women that, from the ashes of the city and all the broken dreams and painful legacies, they went on to build the dynamic independent country that Ireland is today.
“The burning of Cork was an iconic moment in a period of great tumult and sacrifice. As we look back on the past, we should do so not through rose-tinted glasses, but through the measured eye of the discipline of history,” said Mr Martin.
‘Reconciliation’
“We share an island where contested history, selective memory, and provocative assertions of identity can be barriers to mutual accommodation and the reconciliation necessary to our shared future,” he added, at a ceremony where numbers were limited due to Covid-19 guidelines.
“We stand on the shoulders of that revolutionary generation, they are our inspiration and we remember them this night. Let us summon the courage and resilience of the past to meet the challenges of now, to build a better future for tomorrow.”
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh noted that historians had identified Cork as "the cockpit of the Irish Revolution" and while the city and county accounted for just 9 per cent of the population of the island of Ireland in 1920, it accounted for 34 per cent of all active IRA volunteers in the fight for freedom.
Cork saw more IRA ambushes and raids than anywhere else on the island and by the end of 1920, the RIC had abandoned two-thirds of its barracks in Cork city and county because of the people’s resistance, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Man released in Keane Mulready Woods investigation

Gardaí investigating the death of Keane Mulready Woods have released the second man ( early 20s ) without charge who @ @ @ @ @ and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions .
One man @ @ @ @ @ arrested on Tuesday morning , December 8th , remains in custody at Drogheda Garda station @ @ @ @ @ was killed in January and his remains were dismembered and dumped in different locations in @ @ @ @ @ of his body are still unaccounted for .

Keane (17) was killed in January and his remains were discovered in different locations in Dublin. Photograph: Garda/PA
Gardaí investigating the death of Keane Mulready Woods have released the second man (early 20s) without charge who was arrested on Thursday morning and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
One man (40s) who was arrested on Tuesday morning, December 8th, remains in custody at Drogheda Garda station.
Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.
Keane (17) was killed in January and his remains were dismembered and dumped in different locations in Dublin, though some parts of his body are still unaccounted for.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Large Co Louth bakery closes temporarily as 17 members of staff hit by Covid-19

Seventeen members of staff in a Co Louth bakery have tested positive for Covid-19 leading to the temporary closure of the business .
McCloskeys ’ bakery site at Ballymakenny , Drogheda was closed on Friday following the outbreak which occurred last week .
Along with the bakery , retail outlets which sell their products in Drogheda , Navan and Dundalk have been temporarily closed .
The bakery employs close to 200 people across all its outlets .
The family-owned firm is 80 years old this year and sells its products across Ireland including in Tesco and Supervalu .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation like this our first responsibility is the wellbeing of our workforce .
It is also important for us to take the strongest possible public health measures .
“ Due to the disruption to our bakery production our six retail outlets will also be temporarily closed .
“ It is our intention to reopen our bakery site and our shops at the earliest opportunity .
“ Over our 80 year history as a family business Christmas has always been a very important time of year for McCloskeys .
“ This year we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with us as , like many others , we manage our way through this challenging period .
”

McCloskey’s has retail outlets in Co Louth and distributes across the country. This image from the bakery’s website shows one of their outlets on Trinity Street, Drogheda.
Seventeen members of staff in a Co Louth bakery have tested positive for Covid-19 leading to the temporary closure of the business.
McCloskeys' bakery site at Ballymakenny, Drogheda was closed on Friday following the outbreak which occurred last week.
Along with the bakery, retail outlets which sell their products in Drogheda, Navan and Dundalk have been temporarily closed.
The bakery employs close to 200 people across all its outlets.
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The family-owned firm is 80 years old this year and sells its products across Ireland including in Tesco and Supervalu.
In a statement it stated: “In a situation like this our first responsibility is the wellbeing of our workforce. It is also important for us to take the strongest possible public health measures.
“Due to the disruption to our bakery production our six retail outlets will also be temporarily closed.
“It is our intention to reopen our bakery site and our shops at the earliest opportunity.
“Over our 80 year history as a family business Christmas has always been a very important time of year for McCloskeys.
“This year we would ask our customers and friends to bear with us as, like many others, we manage our way through this challenging period.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Two Dublin bars suspend €9 ‘substantial meal’ to stop food waste

Two Dublin pubs have told their customers that they will no longer have to consume a meal on their premises to be served a drink .
The Oscars Café Bar in Smithfield and The Camden in Camden Street will instead donate all or most of the €9 cost of a “ substantial meal ” to charity .
Covid-19 restrictions introduced earlier this year state that people may not drink in a bar unless they purchase a meal with a minimum value of €9 .
The relevant legislation is Standard Instrument ( SI ) 352/2020 which temporarily amends the Health Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government announced that only pubs where food is cooked on the premises can reopen .
Both bars said they were taking the initiative because of the amount of food being wasted with patrons paying for meals but not eating them .
The Oscars Café Bar is now offering regulars the chance to suspend the meal in lieu of receiving unwanted food .
The production cost of the meal ( €4 ) will in turn be donated to a local homeless charity .
Oscars Bar owner Ronan Flood said they had 380 covers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to purchase a suspended meal .
He explained : “ What we experienced last weekend was guests arriving mainly later in the evening after having dinner in another premises .
“ It ’ s mainly a problem where people have come on to us and they had eaten in another restaurant and they were coming to us just for drinks .
“ We are compliant with all regulations in every respect so we required all guests to order a meal in order to receive an alcoholic drink .
As some guests had eaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untouched and went into the bin.
” Mr Flood said they were not trying to circumvent the law or to find a loop hole to get around it .
“ We are simply trying to exercise common sense to avoid needless food waste , particularly when we can all see the massive homeless problem that exists in Dublin at the moment.
” On their Instagram page The Camden management said they had been “ shocked by the amount of good food ending up in waste ” since the bar reopened last Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few drinks in line with the current guidelines , quite a lot of good food remains untouched and ends up in our bin on a daily basis , ” they stated .
They promised to donate the purchase of a €9 meal to Temple Street Foundation Children ’ s Charity Ireland .
All funds raised will be donated on January 4th 2021 .
The Irish Times is waiting for a response from the Department of Health .

The Oscars Café Bar said it is now offering regulars the chance to suspend the meal in lieu of receiving unwanted food.
A Dublin pub that told its customers they could donate the price of a €9 meal to charity instead of having food served to them, has been told by gardaí it must serve a substantial meal.
Oscars Café Bar in Smithfield had earlier this week posted on its Facebook page that in a bid to reduce food waste, it would offer customers "the facility to purchase a meal that will effectively be suspended. We will in turn donate the cost of production to local homeless charities. A receipt will be provided as proof of purchase."
However, on Saturday evening, the bar posted on its social media page that following “advice” from An Garda Síochána, “ we will no longer be offering the facility of our Suspended Meal for the Homeless and will require a substantial meal to be consumed (or not consumed as the case may be) with the purchase of an alcoholic drink.
“We have nothing but the utmost respect for the Gardai who are just enforcing the current legislation. It was never our intention to circumvent the law. It was done with the best of intentions with what we thought was a common sense approach to dealing with unecessary food waste.”(Sic)
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The bar said it would be donating the money raised, along with its own €1,000 donation, to the Capuchin Day Centre for homeless people.
Covid-19 restrictions introduced earlier this year state that people may not drink in a bar unless they purchase a meal with a minimum value of €9.
The relevant legislation is Standard Instrument (SI) 352/2020 which temporarily amends the Health Act 1947.
Earlier this month, the Government announced that only pubs where food is cooked on the premises can reopen.
Prior to being advised by gardaí that they could not operate their €9 meal suspension plan, Oscars Bar owner Ronan Flood said they had 380 covers on Friday night and just eight guests chose to purchase a suspended meal. He explained: "What we experienced last weekend was guests arriving mainly later in the evening after having dinner in another premises.
“It’s mainly a problem where people have come on to us and they had eaten in another restaurant and they were coming to us just for drinks. . . As some guests had eaten already, perfectly good food was left untouched and went into the bin.” Mr Flood said they were not trying to circumvent the law or to find a loop hole to get around it.
Another Dublin gastropub had also posted on its social media page that it was giving its customers the option of donating €9 to charity in lieu of being served a meal.
On their Instagram page The Camden management said they had been "shocked by the amount of good food ending up in waste" since the bar reopened last Friday.
“Just so our customers can enjoy a few drinks in line with the current guidelines, quite a lot of good food remains untouched and ends up in our bin on a daily basis,” they stated.
They promised to donate the purchase of a €9 meal to Temple Street Foundation Children's Charity Ireland. All funds raised will be donated on January 4th 2021.
The Camden could not be reached on Sunday morning for comment.The Irish Times is waiting for a response from the Department of Health.


theirishtimes--2020-12-12--Coronavirus: Three further deaths and 248 new cases of Covid-19 reported

A further three deaths and 248 new cases of coronavirus have been reported by Department of Health on Saturday .
There has now been a total of 75,756 confirmed cases of the virus and 2,123 deaths since the start of the pandemic .
Of the cases notified today 124 are men and 122 are women , 67 per cent are under 45 years of age and the median age is 33 years old .
A total of 99 cases were in Dublin , 21 in Louth , 16 in Limerick,15 in Meath , 13 in Cavan and the remaining 83 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of 2pm today , 185 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised , of which 31 are in ICU with 10 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said : “ Ireland currently has the lowest incidence in Europe and has protected against the significant mortality and severe illness that many European countries , as well as the United States , have experienced .
“ Our younger generation led the way , with the incidence in the 19-24 year age group reduced from 432 per 100,000 population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an enormous achievement .
“ We all need to recognise how well our younger generation has reduced their contacts and helped to protect the whole population .
We all now need to follow this example in the weeks ahead .
“ We can do this by planning from now for Christmas to reduce our social contacts and limit our activities to those that are essential and most important to us.
” In the North , nine more people were reported to have died with Covid-19 , the Department of Health there said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened within the last 24 hours .
A total of 476 new infections have been detected .
Earlier the chairman of Nphet ’ s modelling advisory group Prof Philip Nolan said Ireland was in a very “ delicate and fragile position ” with regard to the level of coronavirus in circulation and people should carefully “ consider the risks ” of socialising over Christmas .
Prof Nolan said the country also remained vulnerable because the high numbers of people in intensive care and “ as the Taoiseach has said , every contact counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prof Nolan warned against people thinking they were safe if they had a negative coronavirus test , particularly those having arrived home for Christmas .
He said the risk of a false negative test result was “ too high ” , and for friends and family that was “ a really dangerous position to be in ” .
Prof Nolan said Nphet was asking people to do two things : “ Think about how many contacts they really need to have in order to have a meaningful Christmas and to limit that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
“ If we restrict our contacts now over the next ten to 14 days it will really , significantly reduce the risk of a contact over the core Christmas period leading to infection.
” Secondly , he said people needed “ to think about the risks in any given contact , to think about the risks of that contact and do everything they can to reduce the risk ” .
Asked about the advice people have been given about mixing with three households , he told Saturday with Katie Hannon on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be “ no more than three households involved in any event ” .
But he said “ we actually want to be more conservative than that .
Limit your circle to the smallest circle that you can .
Meet them outdoors if you can .
If you are meeting them indoors limit the numbers to the minimum ” .
He said people should also “ limit the duration ” of such contacts .
“ I mean lets not get together for hours and hours and hours on end , over Christmas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said people , should remember to wear masks as much as possible and that windows should be “ open a crack ” for ventilation .
He said the measures were about “ giving the vulnerable the gift of life over Christmas ” .
“ We can see the finish line here .
Into the spring and into the summer the vulnerable in our society are going to be protected by the vaccine .
We are appealing to people , for the remaining few months until we have significant protection from vaccination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to beyond Christmas.
” He said the impact of the opening up from the first of December would begin to become apparent in the next few days .
He said his “ fundamental message ” was that we are “ clearly in a higher risk “ position than society was in July .
He said best case scenario was that “ we would see ourselves out into January with the level of disease not much higher than we have now ” .
Alternatively he said “ we could be very quickly back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid October with north of 1,000 cases a day and we would be very worried that many of those cases would be older , because of the inter-generational mixing over Christmas .
”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan: “Our younger generation led the way, with the incidence in the 19-24 year age group reduced from 432 per 100,000 population to 41 per 100,000 population.” Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
A further three deaths and 248 new cases of coronavirus have been reported by Department of Health on Saturday.
There has now been a total of 75,756 confirmed cases of the virus and 2,123 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Of the cases notified today 124 are men and 122 are women, 67 per cent are under 45 years of age and the median age is 33 years old.
Hospital Report
A total of 99 cases were in Dublin, 21 in Louth, 16 in Limerick,15 in Meath, 13 in Cavan and the remaining 83 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
READ MORE
As of 2pm today, 185 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 31 are in ICU with 10 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “Ireland currently has the lowest incidence in Europe and has protected against the significant mortality and severe illness that many European countries, as well as the United States, have experienced.
“Our younger generation led the way, with the incidence in the 19-24 year age group reduced from 432 per 100,000 population to 41 per 100,000 population. This is an enormous achievement.
“We all need to recognise how well our younger generation has reduced their contacts and helped to protect the whole population. We all now need to follow this example in the weeks ahead.
“We can do this by planning from now for Christmas to reduce our social contacts and limit our activities to those that are essential and most important to us.”
In the North, nine more people were reported to have died with Covid-19, the Department of Health there said on Saturday. Six of the deaths happened within the last 24 hours. A total of 476 new infections have been detected.
Earlier the chairman of Nphet’s modelling advisory group Prof Philip Nolan said Ireland was in a very “delicate and fragile position” with regard to the level of coronavirus in circulation and people should carefully “consider the risks” of socialising over Christmas.
Prof Nolan said the country also remained vulnerable because the high numbers of people in intensive care and “as the Taoiseach has said, every contact counts now and over the coming weeks”.
Prof Nolan warned against people thinking they were safe if they had a negative coronavirus test, particularly those having arrived home for Christmas.
He said the risk of a false negative test result was “too high”, and for friends and family that was “a really dangerous position to be in”.
Prof Nolan said Nphet was asking people to do two things: “Think about how many contacts they really need to have in order to have a meaningful Christmas and to limit that to the lowest possible number, particularly now.
“If we restrict our contacts now over the next ten to 14 days it will really, significantly reduce the risk of a contact over the core Christmas period leading to infection.”
Secondly, he said people needed “to think about the risks in any given contact, to think about the risks of that contact and do everything they can to reduce the risk”.
Asked about the advice people have been given about mixing with three households, he told Saturday with Katie Hannon on RTÉ Radio 1 the advice was there should be “no more than three households involved in any event”.
But he said “ we actually want to be more conservative than that. Limit your circle to the smallest circle that you can. Meet them outdoors if you can. If you are meeting them indoors limit the numbers to the minimum”.
He said people should also “limit the duration” of such contacts. “I mean lets not get together for hours and hours and hours on end, over Christmas, longer visits have greater risks. He also said people, should remember to wear masks as much as possible and that windows should be “open a crack” for ventilation.
He said the measures were about “giving the vulnerable the gift of life over Christmas”.
“We can see the finish line here. Into the spring and into the summer the vulnerable in our society are going to be protected by the vaccine. We are appealing to people, for the remaining few months until we have significant protection from vaccination, this is the time to postpone some things to beyond Christmas.”
He said the impact of the opening up from the first of December would begin to become apparent in the next few days. He said his “fundamental message” was that we are “clearly in a higher risk “ position than society was in July.
He said best case scenario was that “we would see ourselves out into January with the level of disease not much higher than we have now”.
Alternatively he said “we could be very quickly back into the situation we were in in mid October with north of 1,000 cases a day and we would be very worried that many of those cases would be older, because of the inter-generational mixing over Christmas.”