theirishtimes--2020-04-18--Coronavirus: 100,000 care home staff and residents to be tested

Up to 100,000 staff and residents of long-term residential care facilities are to be urgently tested for Covid-19 in an effort to bring the disease under control among vulnerable groups .
The testing blitz will take place over the next seven to 10 days , the National Public Health Emergency Team announced on Friday evening .
A census of deaths across all these facilities is to be carried out this weekend , covering all Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 deaths since the start of the year , regardless of how the deaths occurred , NPHET also announced .
The census has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under-reporting of coronavirus deaths , particularly among older people in nursing homes .
Deaths in residential care facilities account for more than half of all coronavirus deaths reported so far , with the deaths of large numbers of vulnerable patients in centres in Portlaoise and Dublin being revealed in recent days .
“ The behaviour of the virus among vulnerable groups who live in these care settings continues to be a concern and this remains a priority for NPHET , ” chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan told a briefing .
Another 44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by NPHET , the highest daily total so far and an increase of one on the previous day ’ s total .
However , this daily figure may include deaths occurring over a number of days but reported on the same day .
Dr Holohan clarified that April 7th , when 39 people died , marked the peak for deaths .
Additionally , 709 new cases of the virus have been confirmed , bringing the total number in the Republic to 13,980 .
Asked about the flying-in of almost 200 Bulgarian fruit-pickers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Holohan said he was “ not comfortable ” with the company ’ s action .
Keelings say the fruit-pickers were screened by doctors before they travelled and would spend 14 days in quarantine before working .
However , Dr Holohan said he was not aware of the event and it was not consistent with public health advice .
In a statement on Friday night , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he “ shares the discomfort ” expressed by Dr Holohan .
“ I have therefore asked for an urgent review of the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , ” he said .
“ That review will be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 on Monday and any changes that are necessary in light of that review will be made.
” Public health officials also decided at their meeting on Friday to expand overall testing capacity to 100,000 tests a week , operating on a seven-day-a-week basis , for a minimum of six months .
The target , broadly similar to previous promises to ramp up testing to 15,000 tests a day , urgently needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be contemplated .
Dr Holohan said the increase in testing would happen “ as soon as possible ” .
Towards the end of next week , the case definition used to identify people with the virus will be changed to help pick up more cases of the disease , Dr Holohan added .
The supply of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for healthcare workers was “ perilous ” last weekend but this issue has since been resolved with the arrival of “ multiple ” planeloads of PPE from China , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Service Executive chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry .
Some concerns remained about the supply of respiratory masks , he said .
There are about 30,000 staff and 28,000 residents in nursing homes , while there are also about 11,000 beds in residential mental health units and disability centres .
Covid-19 is present in almost 30 per cent of nursing homes .
There are currently 335 outbreaks in residential care facilities , of which 188 are in centres operated by private providers and 112 in HSE facilities .
Another 28 are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded largely by the HSE .
Of the total number of outbreaks , 196 are in nursing homes , though another 49 involve centres where older people are resident .
Meanwhile , the number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland is at least one-third higher than previously reported , it was confirmed on Friday .
Most of the additional recorded deaths took place in care homes and hospices .

“The behaviour of the virus among vulnerable groups who live in these care settings continues to be a concern and this remains a priority for NPHET,” says chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
Up to 100,000 staff and residents of long-term residential care facilities are to be urgently tested for Covid-19 in an effort to bring the disease under control among vulnerable groups.
The testing blitz will take place over the next seven to 10 days, the National Public Health Emergency Team announced on Friday evening.
A census of deaths across all these facilities is to be carried out this weekend, covering all Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 deaths since the start of the year, regardless of how the deaths occurred, NPHET also announced.
The census has been called following persistent concerns over the possible under-reporting of coronavirus deaths, particularly among older people in nursing homes.
READ MORE
Deaths in residential care facilities account for more than half of all coronavirus deaths reported so far, with the deaths of large numbers of vulnerable patients in centres in Portlaoise and Dublin being revealed in recent days.
"The behaviour of the virus among vulnerable groups who live in these care settings continues to be a concern and this remains a priority for NPHET," chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan told a briefing .
Another 44 deaths of people diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by NPHET, the highest daily total so far and an increase of one on the previous day’s total.
Covid-19 peak
However, this daily figure may include deaths occurring over a number of days but reported on the same day. Dr Holohan clarified that April 7th, when 39 people died, marked the peak for deaths.
Additionally, 709 new cases of the virus have been confirmed, bringing the total number in the Republic to 13,980.
Asked about the flying-in of almost 200 Bulgarian fruit-pickers to Dublin by strawberry producer Keelings, Dr Holohan said he was "not comfortable" with the company's action.
Keelings say the fruit-pickers were screened by doctors before they travelled and would spend 14 days in quarantine before working.
However, Dr Holohan said he was not aware of the event and it was not consistent with public health advice.
In a statement on Friday night, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he "shares the discomfort" expressed by Dr Holohan.
“I have therefore asked for an urgent review of the current rules and procedures to be carried out over the weekend,” he said. “That review will be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 on Monday and any changes that are necessary in light of that review will be made.”
Public health officials also decided at their meeting on Friday to expand overall testing capacity to 100,000 tests a week, operating on a seven-day-a-week basis, for a minimum of six months.
The target, broadly similar to previous promises to ramp up testing to 15,000 tests a day, urgently needs to be met before any easing of Government restrictions can be contemplated. Dr Holohan said the increase in testing would happen “as soon as possible”.
Disease definition
Towards the end of next week, the case definition used to identify people with the virus will be changed to help pick up more cases of the disease, Dr Holohan added.
The supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers was "perilous" last weekend but this issue has since been resolved with the arrival of "multiple" planeloads of PPE from China, each containing 30 million items, according to Health Service Executive chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry.
Some concerns remained about the supply of respiratory masks, he said.
There are about 30,000 staff and 28,000 residents in nursing homes, while there are also about 11,000 beds in residential mental health units and disability centres.
Covid-19 is present in almost 30 per cent of nursing homes. There are currently 335 outbreaks in residential care facilities, of which 188 are in centres operated by private providers and 112 in HSE facilities. Another 28 are in centres run by section 38/39 organisations and funded largely by the HSE.
Of the total number of outbreaks, 196 are in nursing homes, though another 49 involve centres where older people are resident.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland is at least one-third higher than previously reported, it was confirmed on Friday. Most of the additional recorded deaths took place in care homes and hospices.


theirishtimes--2020-04-18--Universities facing huge losses due to fall in foreign students

Universities expect international student numbers will drop by about 80 per cent in the new academic year and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of euro .
Research commissioned by the Irish Universities Association estimates that the overseas student market is worth more than €385 million per year .
Several institutions contacted by The Irish Times privately estimate that this income will be “ wiped out ” this year as result of disruption linked to the coronavirus pandemic .
In addition , universities are factoring in the loss of tens of millions of euro in private income which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out student accommodation during summer months and hosting on-campus events .
The latest available figures show there were about 17,000 international students enrolled in Irish universities last year .
Irish universities have become increasingly reliant on revenue from international tuition fees due to a reduction in State investment per student over the past decade or so .
The bulk of most university income is now generated privately and international fees account for a large proportion of this .
For example , fees for non-EU undergraduate students range between €10,000-€20,000 for students studying business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climb to between €40,000-€55,000 for those studying medicine .
Many senior figures within higher education believe that some form of additional State support will be needed to offset major losses .
In a message to staff on Friday , Trinity confirmed that it is facing “ significant financial consequences ” and announced a recruitment freeze as part of its cost-containment strategy .
The college is understood to be projecting a drop in revenues of tens of millions of euro this year and expects this may double next year .
A spokeswoman for University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still examining the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its finances and was looking at ways of containing costs .
At the University of Limerick , its president Des Fitzgerald said the college was also quantifying the financial impact of the pandemic .
“ It seems likely at this stage , taking into account that additional Government funding has not yet been provided to the university , that a significant deficit will be incurred in both the current year and next year , ” he said .
Jim Miley , director general of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finances for institutions will be badly it , the sector will not be found wanting in supporting efforts to combat the pandemic .
He said the sector was playing a crucial role across a range of areas such as training healthcare staff and assisting in research .
Mr Miley added that the sector will be crucial in assisting with the economic recovery and it will be vital to enure that it is supported to do so .
About two-thirds of international students are based in undergraduate programmes .
This has led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could drop for domestic students due to lower demand for places .
However , higher education sources say international students are mostly enrolled in areas such as medicine and have played down the prospect of points reductions across the board .
Meanwhile , many colleges are turning towards holding “ virtual ” open days for students in order to attract domestic students for the coming academic year .
Maynooth University , NUI Galway , Waterford Institute of Technology ( WIT ) and Dundalk Institute of Technology are just some of the institutions organising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outreach officer John Power said lecturers and support staff will be online to answer students ’ questions , while virtual campus tours will also be available .
“ What ’ s really interesting is people can join the conversation online and see the questions other prospective students have , ” he said .

Irish universities have become increasingly reliant on revenue from international tuition fees. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Universities expect international student numbers will drop by about 80 per cent in the new academic year and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of euro.
Research commissioned by the Irish Universities Association estimates that the overseas student market is worth more than €385 million per year.
Several institutions contacted by The Irish Times privately estimate that this income will be “wiped out” this year as result of disruption linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, universities are factoring in the loss of tens of millions of euro in private income which would have been generated by the renting out student accommodation during summer months and hosting on-campus events.
READ MORE
The latest available figures show there were about 17,000 international students enrolled in Irish universities last year.
Tuition fees
Irish universities have become increasingly reliant on revenue from international tuition fees due to a reduction in State investment per student over the past decade or so.
The bulk of most university income is now generated privately and international fees account for a large proportion of this.
For example, fees for non-EU undergraduate students range between €10,000-€20,000 for students studying business, engineering and science, while they climb to between €40,000-€55,000 for those studying medicine.
Post-graduate non-EU students typically pay between €10,000 and €35,000.
Many senior figures within higher education believe that some form of additional State support will be needed to offset major losses.
In a message to staff on Friday, Trinity confirmed that it is facing “significant financial consequences” and announced a recruitment freeze as part of its cost-containment strategy.
The college is understood to be projecting a drop in revenues of tens of millions of euro this year and expects this may double next year.
A spokeswoman for University College Dublin said the college was still examining the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its finances and was looking at ways of containing costs.
At the University of Limerick, its president Des Fitzgerald said the college was also quantifying the financial impact of the pandemic.
“It seems likely at this stage, taking into account that additional Government funding has not yet been provided to the university, that a significant deficit will be incurred in both the current year and next year,” he said.
Jim Miley, director general of the Irish Universities Association confirmed that while the finances for institutions will be badly hit, the sector will not be found wanting in supporting efforts to combat the pandemic.
He said the sector was playing a crucial role across a range of areas such as training healthcare staff and assisting in research.
Mr Miley added that the sector will be crucial in assisting with the economic recovery and it will be vital to ensure that it is supported to do so.
CAO points
About two-thirds of international students are based in undergraduate programmes.
This has led to speculation that CAO points for some courses could drop for domestic students due to lower demand for places.
However, higher education sources say international students are mostly enrolled in areas such as medicine and have played down the prospect of points reductions across the board.
Meanwhile, many colleges are turning towards holding “virtual” open days for students in order to attract domestic students for the coming academic year.
Maynooth University, NUI Galway, Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and Dundalk Institute of Technology are just some of the institutions organising these events.
WIT's marketing and outreach officer John Power said lecturers and support staff will be online to answer students' questions, while virtual campus tours will also be available.
“What’s really interesting is people can join the conversation online and see the questions other prospective students have,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Keelings and Covid-19: Reaping the whirlwind or harvest?

Coronavirus has posed a particular problem for fruit and vegetable producers – crops that must be harvested do not wait patiently for public health emergencies to pass .
So as public concerns mounted over the arrival of Bulgarian fruitpickers this week , it is important to note this is an industry that can not source sufficient manpower locally to do the work .
Ireland needs approximately 1,500 seasonal workers to pick soft fruit and vegetables over the next two months .
Defending its reliance on Bulgarian workers this week , Keelings said it had experienced declining interest in Ireland in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal pickers between April and October .
Up to 70 per cent return year after year , it said .
This year , the company advertised locally for staff more than two weeks ago but had received just 27 applications by last week .
It received a further 13 applications on Friday .
According to the Irish Farmers ’ Association ( IFA ) “ probably 100 per cent of horticulture farms have some form of labour from overseas ” , typically from Latvia , Lithuania , Poland and , in recent years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these seasonal workers have been returning to the same jobs and farms for years and therefore are already fully trained and suited to the nature of the work , ” it said .
“ In the past two weeks there has not been any major interest in jobs advertised in the sector .
Even during the last recession when unemployment was at 15 per cent , there was very little interest from the domestic labour force.
” Those who come to Ireland supply the soft fruit sector from May to September , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected crops such as tomatoes from April to October .
In most cases , accommodation is arranged by the farms .
On Friday , a statement from the Government said : “ Seasonal workers are critical to the agricultural sector in terms of harvesting , planting and tending functions , especially in the current season.
” The EU has defined agricultural seasonal workers as essential workers .
According to the IFA , Germany recently relaxed its rules and is allowing 80,000 seasonal workers into the country during April and May .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the workers will be following all guidelines issued by the Government in relation to Covid-19 ” .

Dr Tony Holohan has said that the chartering of flights to bring workers into the country is "not consistent with the public health advice", when asked about the Keelings/Ryanair controversy. Video: RTE News Now
Coronavirus has posed a particular problem for fruit and vegetable producers – crops that must be harvested do not wait patiently for public health emergencies to pass.
So as public concerns mounted over the arrival of Bulgarian fruitpickers this week, it is important to note this is an industry that cannot source sufficient manpower locally to do the work.
Ireland needs approximately 1,500 seasonal workers to pick soft fruit and vegetables over the next two months.
Defending its reliance on Bulgarian workers this week, Keelings said it had experienced declining interest in Ireland in recent years and needed to employ 900 seasonal pickers between April and October. Up to 70 per cent return year after year, it said.
READ MORE
Few applications
This year, the company advertised locally for staff more than two weeks ago but had received just 27 applications by last week. It received a further 13 applications on Friday.
According to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) "probably 100 per cent of horticulture farms have some form of labour from overseas", typically from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and, in recent years, mainly Romania and Bulgaria.
“Most of these seasonal workers have been returning to the same jobs and farms for years and therefore are already fully trained and suited to the nature of the work,” it said.
“In the past two weeks there has not been any major interest in jobs advertised in the sector. Even during the last recession when unemployment was at 15 per cent, there was very little interest from the domestic labour force.”
Farm accommodation
Those who come to Ireland supply the soft fruit sector from May to September, vegetables from June to November, and protected crops such as tomatoes from April to October. In most cases, accommodation is arranged by the farms.
On Friday, a statement from the Government said: “Seasonal workers are critical to the agricultural sector in terms of harvesting, planting and tending functions, especially in the current season.”
The EU has defined agricultural seasonal workers as essential workers.
According to the IFA, Germany recently relaxed its rules and is allowing 80,000 seasonal workers into the country during April and May.
It said it was “very important to stress that the workers will be following all guidelines issued by the Government in relation to Covid-19”.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus: Timeline of a pending ‘catastrophe’ in nursing homes

Six days before the first confirmed coronavirus death in the country , the national body representing private and voluntary nursing homes announced it was moving to stop all non-essential visits .
Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) represents more than 400 private and voluntary nursing homes , which account for about 80 per cent of homes in the State .
The restrictions , which were announced on March 6th , were being imposed “ in the best interests of residents and staff ” , NHI chief executive Tadhg Daly said .
Given the potential severity of the virus among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staff in the sector were fearful of the possible impact on vulnerable residents .
However , when asked on March 10th about the visiting restrictions , the chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan , said they should be lifted because they were premature and impacted on residents ’ social interactions .
On March 25th , the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) issued guidance to all nursing homes on how to respond to suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases .
The advice recommended residents with Covid-19 should be kept in the facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ confer additional benefit ” .
Where residents were in close contact with a positive case they should “ avoid communal areas ” for 14 days , and be checked at least twice a day to see if they developed any symptoms , the advice said .
Healthcare workers were advised they were not required to wear personal protective equipment ( PPE ) if they could avoid physical contact and stay at least 1m from the patient .
Staff providing direct care should wear gloves and an apron , but only surgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the advice said .
Where staff were treating a confirmed Covid-19 case , they were advised to wear a gown , mask , gloves and eye protection if there was a risk “ of splashing of blood or body fluids ” .
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) circulated updated guidance on March 30th to all residential care facilities .
By this point there were 2,901 known coronavirus cases in the State and 54 people had died .
The HPSC guidance said testing for Covid-19 among contacts of a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they develop symptoms of infection ” .
Staff were advised to check on close contacts at least four times a day for signs of any symptoms .
When dealing with suspected or confirmed cases , staff were advised to wear gloves , eye protection , a surgical face mask , and a long-sleeved disposable gown .
If staff were caring for a patient where the task was “ unlikely to provide opportunities for the transfer of virus ” , they could use a disposable apron rather than a gown , the advice stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to break out in nursing homes , the Government faced increasing criticism over the lack of supports and long wait times for testing of patients and staff .
On April 4th , Minister for Health Simon Harris announced a €72 million support package which included twice-daily staff screening , priority testing and financial support for affected nursing homes .
On Thursday , professor of infectious diseases at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals Jack Lambert warned the spread of Covid-19 in nursing homes was “ a catastrophe in the making ” .
On Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing for all staff and residents in any nursing home that had a confirmed case – a significant scaling up of testing .
Latest figures show 196 nursing homes have coronavirus outbreaks of one case or more .

Latest figures show 196 nursing homes have coronavirus outbreaks of one case or more.
Six days before the first confirmed coronavirus death in the country, the national body representing private and voluntary nursing homes announced it was moving to stop all non-essential visits.
Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) represents more than 400 private and voluntary nursing homes, which account for about 80 per cent of homes in the State.
The restrictions, which were announced on March 6th, were being imposed "in the best interests of residents and staff", NHI chief executive Tadhg Daly said.
Given the potential severity of the virus among the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, staff in the sector were fearful of the possible impact on vulnerable residents.
READ MORE
However, when asked on March 10th about the visiting restrictions, the chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, said they should be lifted because they were premature and impacted on residents' social interactions.
On March 25th, the Health Service Executive (HSE) issued guidance to all nursing homes on how to respond to suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases.
The advice recommended residents with Covid-19 should be kept in the facility and transferred to hospital only where it would “confer additional benefit”.
Where residents were in close contact with a positive case they should “avoid communal areas” for 14 days, and be checked at least twice a day to see if they developed any symptoms, the advice said.
Healthcare workers were advised they were not required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if they could avoid physical contact and stay at least 1m from the patient.
Staff providing direct care should wear gloves and an apron, but only surgical masks if residents were coughing and sneezing, the advice said.
Where staff were treating a confirmed Covid-19 case, they were advised to wear a gown, mask, gloves and eye protection if there was a risk “of splashing of blood or body fluids”.
Updated guidance
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) circulated updated guidance on March 30th to all residential care facilities.
By this point there were 2,901 known coronavirus cases in the State and 54 people had died.
The HPSC guidance said testing for Covid-19 among contacts of a positive case was still “not appropriate unless they develop symptoms of infection”.
Staff were advised to check on close contacts at least four times a day for signs of any symptoms. When dealing with suspected or confirmed cases, staff were advised to wear gloves, eye protection, a surgical face mask, and a long-sleeved disposable gown.
If staff were caring for a patient where the task was “unlikely to provide opportunities for the transfer of virus”, they could use a disposable apron rather than a gown, the advice stated.
As clusters of the virus continued to break out in nursing homes, the Government faced increasing criticism over the lack of supports and long wait times for testing of patients and staff.
On April 4th, Minister for Health Simon Harris announced a €72 million support package which included twice-daily staff screening, priority testing and financial support for affected nursing homes.
On Thursday, professor of infectious diseases at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals Jack Lambert warned the spread of Covid-19 in nursing homes was "a catastrophe in the making".
On Friday, the HSE announced it would provide testing for all staff and residents in any nursing home that had a confirmed case – a significant scaling up of testing. Latest figures show 196 nursing homes have coronavirus outbreaks of one case or more.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Thinking Anew – Where hope finds its roots

A while ago Daragh Curley , a schoolboy from Co Donegal , was in the news when it was revealed that he , a Manchester United football fan , had written to Jürgen Klopp , the successful manager of Liverpool United , asking him to lose a few games and give his Man U a chance .
Klopp replied , wishing Daragh well , but explained that he could not let his team lose as that would disappoint Liverpool fans .
The fact that Klopp , a renowned sports personality , replied speaks well of the man .
Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading up to Liverpool ’ s European Cup final .
Dave Evans , a Liverpool fan , living in New Zealand , had hoped to be in Madrid for the game but sadly could not travel because he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer .
Klopp , who is German , heard of this shortly before leaving for the game and contacted Evans by video using his best English : “ Hi Dave , Jurgen Klopp here from Liverpool here in a moment like an hour before we leave to Madrid .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is something really difficult to take it even for me but of course you .
.
.
I wish you from the bottom of my heart all the best and I ’ m Christian so see you.
” With those words – I ’ m Christian so see you – Klopp shared his Easter faith with a dying man .
He explains : “ To be a believer , but not to want to talk about it – I do not know how it would work !
If anyone asks me about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not because I have claim to be any sort of missionary .
But when I look at me and my life – and I take time for that every day – then I feel I am in sensationally good hands .
And I find it a pity if other people lack this sense of security – although they don ’ t know it , of course , because otherwise they would probably look for it.
” Klopp ’ s point about security connects well with tomorrow ’ s Gospel reading .
When Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were hiding in a locked room ; these , the friends who had betrayed him , denied him , who hid when he was arrested and ran away when he was dying .
They must have felt ashamed .
Yet when Jesus greeted them , he did not accuse them : “ Where were you when I needed you ?
You let me down.
” Instead he said “ Peace ” and in that one word reassured them , gave them the security Klopp talks about .
That encounter between Jesus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no need to hide from the God , who is love no matter how we may have failed in the past .
Jürgen Klopp spoke about his faith when he responded to that poor man in New Zealand but as Fr Henri Nouwen saw at the funeral of a Donegal farmer , words are not always necessary : “ The priest and a few men carried the humble coffin to the cemetery .
After the coffin was put in the grave , the men filled the grave with sand .
.
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sod , so it was hardly possible to know that this was a grave .
Then one of the men took two pieces of wood , bound them together in the form of a cross , and stuck it in the ground .
.
.
No words , no solemnity , no decoration .
Nothing of that – but it never has been made so clear to me that someone was dead , not sick but dead , not passed away but dead , not laid to rest but dead , plain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men stamping on the ground in which they had buried their friend , I knew that for these farmers of Donegal there were no funeral home games to play .
But their realism became a transcendent realism by the simple unadorned wooden cross saying that where death is affirmed , hope finds its roots.
” That cross said what was needed .

A while ago Daragh Curley, a schoolboy from Co Donegal, was in the news when it was revealed that he, a Manchester United football fan, had written to Jürgen Klopp, the successful manager of Liverpool United, asking him to lose a few games and give his Man U a chance.
Klopp replied, wishing Daragh well, but explained that he could not let his team lose as that would disappoint Liverpool fans.
The fact that Klopp, a renowned sports personality, replied speaks well of the man.
Last year he faced a much more difficult situation leading up to Liverpool’s European Cup final. Dave Evans, a Liverpool fan, living in New Zealand, had hoped to be in Madrid for the game but sadly could not travel because he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
READ MORE
Klopp, who is German, heard of this shortly before leaving for the game and contacted Evans by video using his best English: “Hi Dave, Jurgen Klopp here from Liverpool here in a moment like an hour before we leave to Madrid. I heard about your story and of course it is something really difficult to take it even for me but of course you . . . I wish you from the bottom of my heart all the best and I’m Christian so see you.”
With those words – I’m Christian so see you – Klopp shared his Easter faith with a dying man. He explains: “To be a believer, but not to want to talk about it – I do not know how it would work! If anyone asks me about my faith, I give information. Not because I have claim to be any sort of missionary. But when I look at me and my life – and I take time for that every day – then I feel I am in sensationally good hands. And I find it a pity if other people lack this sense of security – although they don’t know it, of course, because otherwise they would probably look for it.”
Klopp’s point about security connects well with tomorrow’s Gospel reading.
When Jesus came to his disciples after the resurrection they were hiding in a locked room; these, the friends who had betrayed him, denied him, who hid when he was arrested and ran away when he was dying.
They must have felt ashamed. Yet when Jesus greeted them, he did not accuse them: “Where were you when I needed you? You let me down.”
Instead he said “Peace” and in that one word reassured them, gave them the security Klopp talks about.
That encounter between Jesus and his disloyal followers assures us that there is no need to hide from the God, who is love no matter how we may have failed in the past.
Jürgen Klopp spoke about his faith when he responded to that poor man in New Zealand but as Fr Henri Nouwen saw at the funeral of a Donegal farmer, words are not always necessary: “The priest and a few men carried the humble coffin to the cemetery. After the coffin was put in the grave, the men filled the grave with sand . . . Two men stamped with their boots on the sod, so it was hardly possible to know that this was a grave. Then one of the men took two pieces of wood, bound them together in the form of a cross, and stuck it in the ground . . . No words, no solemnity, no decoration. Nothing of that – but it never has been made so clear to me that someone was dead, not sick but dead, not passed away but dead, not laid to rest but dead, plain dead. When I saw those two men stamping on the ground in which they had buried their friend, I knew that for these farmers of Donegal there were no funeral home games to play. But their realism became a transcendent realism by the simple unadorned wooden cross saying that where death is affirmed, hope finds its roots.”
That cross said what was needed.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Two juveniles charged following multiple car break-ins in Cork

Two juveniles have been ordered to stay out of West Cork after they were charged in connection with a series of break-ins to cars and the theft of van in Kinsale earlier this month .
The two youths , who are from Cork city , were arrested and brought before a special sitting of Bandon District Court on Friday night in relation to crimes which happened in Kinsale on April 6th .
Thieves broke into some 15 cars at Eltin ’ s Wood and Compass Quay in Kinsale at around 4am in the morning and a Renault van was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
At Friday ’ s court sitting , Insp Brian Murphy told Judge John King that gardaí did not have any objection to the two youths obtaining bail provided that they agreed to abide by a number of strict bail conditions .
Conditions included that they would stay at their home addresses in Cork city , abide by a 10pm to 7am curfew and that they would not enter West Cork save for court appearances .
Insp Murphy also asked that the youths agree to abide by Government guidelines regarding Covid-19 including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two kilometres from their homes for the duration of the pandemic .
The two youths agreed to abide by the conditions .
Judge King remanded both youths on their own bonds to appear again at Bandon District Court on July 3rd .

The two youths, who are from Cork city, were arrested and brought before a special sitting of Bandon District Court on Friday night.
Two juveniles have been ordered to stay out of West Cork after they were charged in connection with a series of break-ins to cars and the theft of van in Kinsale earlier this month.
The two youths, who are from Cork city, were arrested and brought before a special sitting of Bandon District Court on Friday night in relation to crimes which happened in Kinsale on April 6th.
Thieves broke into some 15 cars at Eltin's Wood and Compass Quay in Kinsale at around 4am in the morning and a Renault van was also stolen in the town on the same night.
At Friday's court sitting, Insp Brian Murphy told Judge John King that gardaí did not have any objection to the two youths obtaining bail provided that they agreed to abide by a number of strict bail conditions.
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Conditions included that they would stay at their home addresses in Cork city, abide by a 10pm to 7am curfew and that they would not enter West Cork save for court appearances.
Insp Murphy also asked that the youths agree to abide by Government guidelines regarding Covid-19 including that they would not venture more than two kilometres from their homes for the duration of the pandemic.
The two youths agreed to abide by the conditions. Judge King remanded both youths on their own bonds to appear again at Bandon District Court on July 3rd.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus infection widespread in Dublin nursing home – internal memo

Transmission of the coronavirus in a Dublin nursing home has become widespread in recent days and is now affecting more than a fifth of the 200 residents , according to an internal memo .
There is evidence of coronavirus outbreaks across nearly all units in St Mary ’ s Hospital in the Phoenix Park , which has seen 11 Covid-19 related deaths in a two-week period .
The internal memo , dated April 13th , says that apart from one section all units in the home have “ evidence of more than 20 per cent ” confirmed or suspected coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assume that transmission is generalised .
Therefore , in the context of generalised transmission , the entire clinical areas of the unit is designated a contaminated zone , ” said the memo , which was circulated among staff in recent days .
A source in the facility , which is run by the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) , said the number of cases was likely even higher due to testing delays .
The home , which has 198 residential places , confirmed on Thursday night that 10 residents who had tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the condition had died within a two-week period .
The memo to staff set out measures to try and contain the spread of the virus by setting up “ clean ” and “ dirty ” areas .
It advised all staff to wear personal protective equipment ( PPE ) upon entry into a “ contaminated zone ” with suspected or confirmed cases .
Staff treating patients in these zones were instructed to provide care to all residents “ wearing the same PPE for each care period ” .
Healthcare workers should change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in the same gown , surgical mask and eye protection .
Guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) for residential care facilities dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks state staff should “ ideally change their PPE ” after every contact with a positive patient .
The HPSC ’ s advice outlined that in “ exceptional circumstances ” this can be limited to just a change of medical gloves if staff are caring for a group of patients with Covid-19 .
To avoid spreading the virus , staff should begin by providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected Covid-19 patients , and lastly confirmed cases , the St Mary ’ s memo said .
The instructions said the “ clean zone ” in the nursing home should if possible include the staff office space and toilets .
“ Residents should not have access to the clean zone – the latter point can be difficult to manage , ” the memo said .
The memo referred to asymptomatic patients as the “ cleanest ” , those who were suspected cases as “ dirty , ” and confirmed coronavirus cases as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written after a visit to the facility from Prof Martin Cormican , the HSE national clinical lead on infection control .
In a statement , a HSE spokeswoman said the memo was drafted internally within the hospital but was issued “ without any formal approval ” .
She said the memo , which stated the measures were based on the recommendations from Prof Cormican , was not written with his input .
“ It is our strong preference that this unapproved memo and the information contained within it is not published.
” However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the memo and confirmed “ that a significant number of residents have been affected by Covid-19 within St Mary ’ s Hospital .
”

A computer image shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to Covid-19, better known as the coronavirus. Photograph: NEXU Science Communication/Reuters
Transmission of the coronavirus in a Dublin nursing home has become widespread in recent days and is now affecting more than a fifth of the 200 residents, according to an internal memo.
There is evidence of coronavirus outbreaks across nearly all units in St Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park, which has seen 11 Covid-19 related deaths in a two-week period.
The internal memo, dated April 13th, says that apart from one section all units in the home have “ evidence of more than 20 per cent” confirmed or suspected coronavirus infection.
“It is reasonable to assume that transmission is generalised. Therefore, in the context of generalised transmission, the entire clinical areas of the unit is designated a contaminated zone,” said the memo, which was circulated among staff in recent days.
READ MORE
A source in the facility, which is run by the Health Service Executive (HSE), said the number of cases was likely even higher due to testing delays.
The home, which has 198 residential places, confirmed on Thursday night that 10 residents who had tested positive for Covid-19 and another suspected to have the condition had died within a two-week period.
The memo to staff set out measures to try and contain the spread of the virus by setting up “clean” and “dirty” areas.
It advised all staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) upon entry into a “contaminated zone” with suspected or confirmed cases. Staff treating patients in these zones were instructed to provide care to all residents “wearing the same PPE for each care period”.
Healthcare workers should change gloves between patients but were instructed to remain in the same gown, surgical mask and eye protection.
Medical gloves
Guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) for residential care facilities dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks state staff should "ideally change their PPE" after every contact with a positive patient.
The HPSC’s advice outlined that in “exceptional circumstances” this can be limited to just a change of medical gloves if staff are caring for a group of patients with Covid-19.
To avoid spreading the virus, staff should begin by providing care to asymptomatic patients first, then suspected Covid-19 patients, and lastly confirmed cases, the St Mary’s memo said.
The instructions said the “clean zone” in the nursing home should if possible include the staff office space and toilets. “Residents should not have access to the clean zone – the latter point can be difficult to manage,” the memo said.
The memo referred to asymptomatic patients as the “cleanest”, those who were suspected cases as “dirty,” and confirmed coronavirus cases as the “dirtiest patients.”
The memo was written after a visit to the facility from Prof Martin Cormican, the HSE national clinical lead on infection control.
In a statement, a HSE spokeswoman said the memo was drafted internally within the hospital but was issued “without any formal approval”.
She said the memo, which stated the measures were based on the recommendations from Prof Cormican, was not written with his input.
“It is our strong preference that this unapproved memo and the information contained within it is not published.”
However, she did not dispute the figures in the memo and confirmed “that a significant number of residents have been affected by Covid-19 within St Mary’s Hospital.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Taoiseach orders review of rules for foreign workers following arrival of fruit pickers

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ordered a review of the rules around foreign workers after a fruit producer was criticised for flying almost 200 Bulgarians into Ireland to work on its farms .
The 189 workers flew into Dublin on a chartered aircraft on Monday to carry out seasonal work on Keelings fruit farms .
Following criticism , Keelings insisted the workers had all been medically screened before arrival .
“ All had been health screened by a doctor before they travelled to Sofia airport where they were temperature checked before entry , ” the company said .
“ They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordance with HSE guidelines , they can not work for 14 days after their arrival and their movements are restricted.
” However , when asked about the workers at a briefing on Friday , the Department of Health ’ s chief medical officer , Tony Holohan , said he was not comfortable with the idea of a company chartering a flight to bring in staff .
He referred to “ consistent public health advice ” and said medical authorities would continue to keep the issue of travel on their agenda .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he “ shares the discomfort expressed ” by Dr Holohan .
“ We need to keep our airports and ports open so essential goods and essential workers can get in and out of the country and Irish citizens and residents can return home , ” he said .
“ However , we need to keep travel to a minimum and ensure that passengers are interviewed on arrival and that quarantine is observed .
“ I have therefore asked for an urgent review of the current rules and procedures to be carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 on Monday and any changes that are necessary in light of that review will be made.
” Keelings , which said it usually employs 900 staff each season , said the workers would be “ subject to further medical screening ” before beginning work .
“ We will continue to consult with the HSE and other appropriate agencies to ensure both our staff and the communities they live in remain safe.
” In recent years , Keelings has brought in hundreds of experienced workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulgaria who typically work over a six-month season .
Some residents of a Co Louth village , where many Keelings workers are based , said they were worried about the standard of social distancing on display .
One source said the workers appeared to live in close quarters and many used a local shop in a small community .
They said concern over the potential spread of coronavirus in such circumstances was “ very high at the moment ” .
“ But you have to balance it .
There are a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A spokeswoman for Keelings did not comment on those specific concerns .
Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North Cian O ’ Callaghan said urgent clarity was required around quarantine measures for seasonal workers arriving in Ireland .
“ Much more needs to be done to reassure the public ; we need to know what measures are in place to ensure appropriate and safe physical distancing for seasonal workers in their accommodation , workplace and transport , ” he said .
People Before Profit said in a statement that inspections of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to ensure the workers are housed and working in conditions which will allow for social distancing and isolation if needed ” .
Fianna Fáil ’ s transport spokesman , Marc Mac Sharry , said the episode had caused understandable public discomfort .
“ The Government urgently need to clarify what is and isn ’ t allowed in terms of the movement of people through our airports ” while public health measures remain in place , he said .

In recent years, Keelings has brought in hundreds of experienced workers from countries including Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria who typically work over a six-month season. Photograph: Alan Betson
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ordered a review of the rules around foreign workers after a fruit producer was criticised for flying almost 200 Bulgarians into Ireland to work on its farms.
The 189 workers flew into Dublin on a chartered aircraft on Monday to carry out seasonal work on Keelings fruit farms.
Following criticism, Keelings insisted the workers had all been medically screened before arrival.
"All had been health screened by a doctor before they travelled to Sofia airport where they were temperature checked before entry," the company said. " They were taken straight to their housing. In accordance with HSE guidelines, they cannot work for 14 days after their arrival and their movements are restricted."
READ MORE
However, when asked about the workers at a briefing on Friday, the Department of Health's chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, said he was not comfortable with the idea of a company chartering a flight to bring in staff.
He referred to “consistent public health advice” and said medical authorities would continue to keep the issue of travel on their agenda.
In a statement on Friday night, Mr Varadkar said he “shares the discomfort expressed” by Dr Holohan.
“We need to keep our airports and ports open so essential goods and essential workers can get in and out of the country and Irish citizens and residents can return home,” he said. “However, we need to keep travel to a minimum and ensure that passengers are interviewed on arrival and that quarantine is observed.
“I have therefore asked for an urgent review of the current rules and procedures to be carried out over the weekend.
“That review will be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 on Monday and any changes that are necessary in light of that review will be made.”
Keelings, which said it usually employs 900 staff each season, said the workers would be “subject to further medical screening” before beginning work. “We will continue to consult with the HSE and other appropriate agencies to ensure both our staff and the communities they live in remain safe.”
In recent years, Keelings has brought in hundreds of experienced workers from countries including Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria who typically work over a six-month season.
Social distancing
Some residents of a Co Louth village, where many Keelings workers are based, said they were worried about the standard of social distancing on display.
One source said the workers appeared to live in close quarters and many used a local shop in a small community. They said concern over the potential spread of coronavirus in such circumstances was “very high at the moment”.
“But you have to balance it. There are a lot of locals who are not social distancing properly.”
A spokeswoman for Keelings did not comment on those specific concerns.
Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North Cian O’Callaghan said urgent clarity was required around quarantine measures for seasonal workers arriving in Ireland.
“Much more needs to be done to reassure the public; we need to know what measures are in place to ensure appropriate and safe physical distancing for seasonal workers in their accommodation, workplace and transport,” he said.
People Before Profit said in a statement that inspections of the Keelings facilities should take place “in order to ensure the workers are housed and working in conditions which will allow for social distancing and isolation if needed”.
Fianna Fáil's transport spokesman, Marc Mac Sharry, said the episode had caused understandable public discomfort.
“The Government urgently need to clarify what is and isn’t allowed in terms of the movement of people through our airports” while public health measures remain in place, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus: New doctors welcome Taoiseach’s pledge on internships

It was , to paraphrase , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , a graduation ceremony like no other but then for the 197 students graduating in medicine at UCC today , they are living in such unusual times that nothing should prove surprising .
For both Emma O ’ Riordan ( 24 ) from Blackrock and Patrick Hogan ( 23 ) from Douglas , the virtual graduation ceremony went surprisingly well with both highly appreciative of the fact that the Taoiseach addressed them by video link .
And after congratulating both Irish and foreign students on their graduation , Mr Varadkar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical graduate in Ireland this year would be offered an internship in the Irish health system .
The catch , if that ’ s the word , is that everyone coming into the Irish health system will be recruited to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic , which in addition to the population at large , has also hit health care professionals .
For Emma , whose father is a surgeon and whose mother is a GP , the challenge over the coming weeks and months as an intern is daunting and she candidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what lies ahead .
“ I suppose for us as Irish students , we were kind of expected to get a job anyway but whereas the Taoiseach ’ s pledge has been a massive help is that a lot of our friends are from New Zealand , Canada , Australia and Malaysia .
“ All these people wanted to stay in Ireland so the fact that the government has made more intern jobs available , they are now all staying which means we will have more doctors in the Irish health system which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms O ’ Riordan said moving from academia to a front line hospital situation in the midst of the greatest health challenge facing the country in arguably 100 years is proving a daunting prospect .
“ I have mixed emotions - it would be difficult for me to say to you that I am totally comfortable about it because it is quite uncharted territory but there are pros and cons to everything and this is no different “ One the one hand for us as junior doctors starting out , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re not going to know what to do , we obviously have seen Covid-19 and it ’ s quite new to us .
“ But on the other hand it ’ s an incredible learning opportunity for us - we are going be thrown in at the deep end and we are going to learn so much in such a short space of time so it will be fantastic for us .
“ As well as that , we have been supported so well by UCC Medical School and the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though I feel a little bit nervous we know are going into an environment where people are going to look out for us .
“ So we ’ re not terrified at the prospect - we ’ re looking forward to getting started because we are the same as everyone else sitting at home watching it on TV and wanting to help so it will be great to get started and give a hand.
” For Patrick Hogan , both of whose parents are doctors working occupational health , the offer of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be welcomed even though he expects it to be a baptism of fire in the fight against Covid-19 .
“ We are all incredibly excited to get going but at the same time there is a fear that you are entering the unknown and those stories of health care workers becoming ill and in some cases , dying is quite shocking .
“ But at the same time , it ’ s almost what we signed up for in a way - there are going to be medical crises and epidemics where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , your job is to help people to stay healthy so this is just a part of that .
“ I know I will take every precaution I can to stay healthy and we ’ ve had brilliant training over the years that will protect us and I have full faith in the HSE and the government they will protect us health care staff in every way they can .
“ I suppose there is a feeling that we are getting called to the front line and literally that ’ s what people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the front line and it almost sounds like a wartime calling which is frightening .
But that ’ s the nature of the times we are in .
It is a bit of a daunting call but we just have to have full faith in ourselves and what we can do and trust that we can contribute in whatever way we can .
”

Emma O’Riordan: ‘I have mixed emotions - it would be difficult for me to say to you that I am totally comfortable.’ Photograph: Emma O’Riordan
It was, to paraphrase, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, a graduation ceremony like no other but then for the 197 students graduating in medicine at UCC today, they are living in such unusual times that nothing should prove surprising.
For both Emma O'Riordan (24) from Blackrock and Patrick Hogan (23) from Douglas, the virtual graduation ceremony went surprisingly well with both highly appreciative of the fact that the Taoiseach addressed them by video link.
And after congratulating both Irish and foreign students on their graduation, Mr Varadkar, himself a medical doctor, pledged every medical graduate in Ireland this year would be offered an internship in the Irish health system.
The catch, if that’s the word, is that everyone coming into the Irish health system will be recruited to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which in addition to the population at large, has also hit health care professionals.
READ MORE
For Emma, whose father is a surgeon and whose mother is a GP, the challenge over the coming weeks and months as an intern is daunting and she candidly admits that she has mixed emotions about what lies ahead.
"I suppose for us as Irish students, we were kind of expected to get a job anyway but whereas the Taoiseach's pledge has been a massive help is that a lot of our friends are from New Zealand, Canada, Australia and Malaysia.
“All these people wanted to stay in Ireland so the fact that the government has made more intern jobs available, they are now all staying which means we will have more doctors in the Irish health system which is good,” she said.
Ms O’Riordan said moving from academia to a front line hospital situation in the midst of the greatest health challenge facing the country in arguably 100 years is proving a daunting prospect.
Patrick Hogan: ‘It is a bit of a daunting call but we just have to have full faith in ourselves and what we can do and trust that we can contribute in whatever way we can.’ Photograph: Patrick Hogan
Uncharted territory
“I have mixed emotions - it would be difficult for me to say to you that I am totally comfortable about it because it is quite uncharted territory but there are pros and cons to everything and this is no different
“One the one hand for us as junior doctors starting out, it’s going to be quite nerve racking, we’re not going to know what to do, we obviously have seen Covid-19 and it’s quite new to us.
“But on the other hand it’s an incredible learning opportunity for us - we are going be thrown in at the deep end and we are going to learn so much in such a short space of time so it will be fantastic for us.
"As well as that, we have been supported so well by UCC Medical School and the staff at all the Cork hospitals so even though I feel a little bit nervous we know are going into an environment where people are going to look out for us.
“So we’re not terrified at the prospect - we’re looking forward to getting started because we are the same as everyone else sitting at home watching it on TV and wanting to help so it will be great to get started and give a hand.”
Nature of the times
For Patrick Hogan, both of whose parents are doctors working occupational health, the offer of an internship in the Irish system is again to be welcomed even though he expects it to be a baptism of fire in the fight against Covid-19.
“We are all incredibly excited to get going but at the same time there is a fear that you are entering the unknown and those stories of health care workers becoming ill and in some cases, dying is quite shocking.
“But at the same time, it’s almost what we signed up for in a way - there are going to be medical crises and epidemics where, at the end of the day, your job is to help people to stay healthy so this is just a part of that.
“I know I will take every precaution I can to stay healthy and we’ve had brilliant training over the years that will protect us and I have full faith in the HSE and the government they will protect us health care staff in every way they can.
“I suppose there is a feeling that we are getting called to the front line and literally that’s what people are saying, we are getting called to the front line and it almost sounds like a wartime calling which is frightening.
But that’s the nature of the times we are in. It is a bit of a daunting call but we just have to have full faith in ourselves and what we can do and trust that we can contribute in whatever way we can.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--US court yet to set a date for Martens’ release hearing

An attempt to secure the release of Thomas Martens ( 70 ) who was convicted of the murder of Irishman Jason Corbett ( 39 ) , is still awaiting a court date in the US .
Martens ’ lawyer David Freedman of Crumpler Freedman Parker & Witt , of North Carolina , said a court date has yet to be secured to hear a motion to have Martens released .
Mr Freedman has filed court papers seeking an order that Mr Martens should be released from prison on a security bond , during the coronavirus pandemic , because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaking to The Irish Times on Friday evening , Mr Freedman said courts were functioning at a reduced pace due to US restrictions relating to the virus .
“ We haven ’ t got a date for the court to hear the case for that order yet , ” he said .
Mr Freedman said he hoped to hear from the courts over coming days in relation to a suitable date .
Martens was convicted along with his daughter Molly Martens of the second-degree murder of Molly ’ s husband , Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corbett ( 39 ) , was found dead at his home in North Carolina in August 2015 .
Thomas and Molly Martens were sentenced to 20-25 years in prison .
However , earlier this year an appeal was lodged by Mr Freedman and a retrial was ordered .
The Martens remain in prison however , because the Attorney General of North Carolina lodged an appeal against the decision to grant a retrial .

An attempt to secure the release of Thomas Martens (70) who was convicted of the murder of Irishman Jason Corbett (39), is still awaiting a court date in the US.
Martens’ lawyer David Freedman of Crumpler Freedman Parker & Witt, of North Carolina, said a court date has yet to be secured to hear a motion to have Martens released.
Mr Freedman has filed court papers seeking an order that Mr Martens should be released from prison on a security bond, during the coronavirus pandemic, because of the danger the virus poses to the elderly.
Jason Corbett (39), was found dead at his home in North Carolina in August 2015.
Speaking to The Irish Times on Friday evening, Mr Freedman said courts were functioning at a reduced pace due to US restrictions relating to the virus. “We haven’t got a date for the court to hear the case for that order yet,” he said.
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Mr Freedman said he hoped to hear from the courts over coming days in relation to a suitable date.
Martens was convicted along with his daughter Molly Martens of the second-degree murder of Molly’s husband, Irish father-of-two Jason Corbett in 2017. Mr Corbett (39), was found dead at his home in North Carolina in August 2015.
Thomas and Molly Martens were sentenced to 20-25 years in prison. However, earlier this year an appeal was lodged by Mr Freedman and a retrial was ordered.
The Martens remain in prison however, because the Attorney General of North Carolina lodged an appeal against the decision to grant a retrial.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Hospice Foundation recommends that no Covid-19 patient be allowed die alone

At least one family member should be allowed stay with a person dying of Covid-19 virus , the Irish Hospice Foundation has recommended .
Currently only medical staff in PPE are allowed in such a situation .
Foundation chief executive Sharon Foley said there was “ only one chance to get end-of-life care right ” and that “ dying alone is hugely problematic both for the dying person and their families - creating a lasting memory of distress for families and no doubt impacting on their bereavement ” .
Many people and staff “ in care settings have raised concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare setting where family/loved ones are not allowed to visit , or be with the person , at end of life , ” she said .
The Foundation has sought clarity and guidance from the HSE on the matter , she said .
“ We appreciate hospitals and other care settings , will need to assign staff to training families in the ‘ donning ’ and ‘ doffing ’ of PPE and that this training and support requires time and resources , ” she said .
The Foundation also recommended that hospitals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance and explanations for their visiting policies ” where families were concerned .
This should include “ details of how limited visiting can be accommodated ( where possible ) , and clear reasons for any restricted visiting policies ” .
It should also explain “ how families can engage with the hospital or care setting on visiting - ideally through a named contact person , such as a social worker ” .
This , it felt , could “ alleviate some distress for families ” .
However if there is “ an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the Foundation recommended that “ proactive measures are put in place to ensure that dying patients and residents are not left alone and that staff use a variety of methods to bring comfort , compassion and company to the dying person , as well as , communicating these measures and approaches to the families sensitively ” .
It said it appreciated this would require “ some staff times and resources ” .

Irish Hospice Foundation chief executive Sharon Foley said ‘dying alone is hugely problematic both for the dying person and their families’. Photograph: Getty Images
At least one family member should be allowed stay with a person dying of Covid-19 virus, the Irish Hospice Foundation has recommended. Currently only medical staff in PPE are allowed in such a situation.
Foundation chief executive Sharon Foley said there was "only one chance to get end-of-life care right" and that "dying alone is hugely problematic both for the dying person and their families - creating a lasting memory of distress for families and no doubt impacting on their bereavement".
Many people and staff “in care settings have raised concerns regarding any person dying alone in a healthcare setting where family/loved ones are not allowed to visit, or be with the person, at end of life,” she said.
The Foundation has sought clarity and guidance from the HSE on the matter, she said.
READ MORE
“We appreciate hospitals and other care settings, will need to assign staff to training families in the ‘donning’ and ‘doffing’ of PPE and that this training and support requires time and resources,” she said.
The Foundation also recommended that hospitals and care settings put in place “ clear guidance and explanations for their visiting policies” where families were concerned.
This should include “details of how limited visiting can be accommodated (where possible), and clear reasons for any restricted visiting policies”.
It should also explain “how families can engage with the hospital or care setting on visiting - ideally through a named contact person, such as a social worker”. This, it felt, could “alleviate some distress for families”.
However if there is “an absolute no-visiting policy at end of life” then the Foundation recommended that “proactive measures are put in place to ensure that dying patients and residents are not left alone and that staff use a variety of methods to bring comfort, compassion and company to the dying person, as well as, communicating these measures and approaches to the families sensitively”.
It said it appreciated this would require “some staff times and resources”.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--‘We’ve been ignored’: Leaving Cert students on the postponement of exams

While I would not describe my self as happy with the decision I do understand it .
I doubt that any 17- or 18 year-old is thrilled to be losing their long sought-after summer holidays .
As much as the choice is far from ideal I believe it was the best option .
Frankly , there was no decision that wasn ’ t going to be riddled with controversy .
To go ahead with the exams as planned in June would put all those who are most vulnerable in a position where by they must choose to prioritise their health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in theory may seem like a solution our education system is not equipped for that like the UK ’ s is .
The postponement of the exams will most definitely cause copious amounts of stress and anxiety .
However , I fail to see an alternative .
It is hard to say the implications the decision will have on my grades , naturally it will be a difficult time of my life and I think that my final grades will largely be dependant on how long I can effectively stick to online learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how long we are in school for prior to the final exams .
I would like to believe that this time off will aid me in my studies though I think it would be naïve of me to assume that I will be productive during the months that were supposed to be holiday months .
This is a very difficult time for everyone and not just students so I will try to simply take each day as it comes and go from there .
It is absolutely shameful that , going by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ) survey , the Government chose the least popular option .
That is not how this should work .
Minister McHugh does not understand the stress and pressure that we have to endure from every single angle from our life , especially considering we are now alone , by ourselves , with no teachers there to help .
Instead , they send emails and you are expected to understand new content without a verbal explanation .
This only benefits those learners who prefer written information rather than it being spoken to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear divide now in terms of who is actually benefitting from all this .
Clearly , neither the Department , the Minister nor the Taoiseach understand this .
If they did , they would have instead chosen the preferred predicted grades option .
Predicted grades would help because this year out of any others , we need exceptions to be made .
Every other aspect of society have had exceptions made for them : mortgage deferments , the pandemic payment .
They have supports in place .
Students do not .
Personally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they still had slim chances of happening due to the Covid-19 pandemic , they are now completely wiped out due to this postponement .
The opportunity for students to wind down after the exams is now erased , and replaced with a wind up instead !
We will not have our summer .
We will not have an opportunity to see friends and have fun in the sun , or take advantage of part time jobs , to gain some experience of the working world .
That has now been ripped out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ Leaving Cert : Continued ” .
My overwhelming emotion is one of relief that a decision has been announced , albeit not one I would have hoped for .
While I am pleased that my work over the past two years will not go to waste , I am unable to help having an overwhelming sense of dismay at the idea of spending my summer hunched over a desk committing maths theorems to memory .
I do not believe that there was ever going to be a correct option .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written exams is the best way to ensure that students work over the past two years will still be recognised .
However , it is difficult to justify the loss of class time on courses that were not designed to be taught online and I fear it will widen the divide between those with an abundance of opportunities and those for whom they are limited .
A place on our dream course is supposed to motivate sixth years to further push ourselves .
Truthfully , in revising for the Leaving Cert , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short-term .
On the days when studying my seven subjects in great detail seemed like an insurmountable undertaking , it has always been the tantalising possibility of the summer ahead that returned my attention to the books .
I fear the loss of this will leave me fighting twice as hard to stay motivated in the coming months , particularly with the added distraction of Covid-19 still set to be lingering .
As a Leaving Certificate student , I must admit I am dumbfounded at the grievous ineptitude that Education Minister Joe McHugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our student ’ s second-level education nationwide .
As someone subject to the collateral damage left behind by the government in their recent decisions , I would beg - for the sanity of my fellow Leaving Cert students - that the Taoiseach reconsider his decisions in light of the educational purgatory I now find myself in .
In my opinion , it is unfathomable how the Government expects students to sit exams which determine their future in the midst of a global pandemic while their nearest and dearest succumb to this deadly virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as myself is becoming defining .
Please , Mr Varadkar , we deserve provisional dates and an immediate update on a CAO .
That is clarification .
Overall , what I am asking of the government is simple .
Reconsider your decisions .
The “ clarity ” offered on Good Friday left us feeling no different than the days previous .
We demand clarification not procrastination .
Students such as myself should not suffer academically as a result of this pandemic .
We deserve to know what contingency plans are in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exams , which are understandably subject to change .
We need to be informed of how the CAO will proceed and how college places will be awarded .
We need to be informed of how and when scripts from our Leaving Certificate will be corrected and to what quality and standard .
We need a solution for both the academic and mental wellbeing of over 65,000 students .
We are the next generation of Éire .
We are the ones adhering to the measures and deprivations of liberty imposed on us by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We don ’ t need a thank you .
We need clarification .
So please , put yourselves in our shoes .
We demand clarification , not procrastination .
We , between the ages of 17 and 19 , demand to be heard .
We have voices and we know how to use them .
In the eyes of the state , most of us are considered adults , I , for one , am .
I have a right of speech , a right to make my opinions heard , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the stress and pressure this decision has put myself , my parents and the general public under .
I am acutely aware of the fact that you want the “ Class of 2020 ” to have as normal a school year and as fair a chance at our exams as possible .
However , I must ask , what about our current situation is considered “ normal ” ?
Is it the fact that we can not venture more than two kilometres from home ?
Or that I can not put my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell her that we will get through this ?
We are living in times where “ normality ” has been thrown out the window , apparently along with all of your department ’ s intelligence .
Do you want to talk about fairness ?
It is by no means fair that you expect young adults , who have been trying to bear the crushing weight of the Leaving Certificate , to carry this weight for at least two months later than we signed up for .
Your actions have essentially driven us back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when panic attacks were a more common sight in the hallways than teachers , when students were scared to go to school , when I was sick , day after day , with blinding migraines and nausea .
You have dumped us into the winter of our life time with seemingly no escape .
I appreciate these necessary actions by the Irish Government in the face of such a unique situation however , since the announcement of the immediate closure of all secondary schools across the country on March 12th , young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no information or direction apart from the common yet ill-conceived encouragement of “ keep up your schoolwork ” The decision to cancel oral practicals and award all students 100 per cent was by no means a perfect solution , but it did satisfy worried students regarding their immediate concerns .
Following this move , the delayed “ clarification ” given last Friday , presents nothing but inadequacies and consequently lacks any clarification which students not only desire but deserve .
This announcement came as a shock to some , however , the leak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , confirmed to students our worst fears .
We had not been adequately consulted and our voices were ignored .
It is understandable that predictive grading , with a choice to sit the exam in August is not the most amazing option , however , it is the fairest .
It ’ s not unprecedented .
Ireland ’ s second-level teachers already provide predictive grades when students are applying for college places abroad .
I believe that the opinion of candidates should be taken into account , as it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 48 per cent of candidates voted for predicted grades as opposed to 19 per cent who wish to sit exams in late July or August according to the ISSU ’ s survey .
Ultimately , we feel like we have been thrown a bone to quell our misgivings and keep us quiet .
Although most of us are too focused and worried about the welfare of our family , friends and potential economic instability to voice our concerns , this does not mean our concerns are without merit .
The decision-makers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 18-year-old and 19-year-old electorate sitting these examinations are just collateral damage .
Although we are being rendered voiceless , the reaction to this crisis and its impact on candidates will be reflected in future ballot boxes .
After speaking to students from all over Ireland who have both the “ normal ” stress that comes with sitting the Leaving Certificate , we now are also living in the midst of a global pandemic which is unnatural and confusing for everyone , and it is narrowly being assumed that we can continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused ” .
Many students have parents who are working on the frontline therefore they are looking after siblings or are alone all day in the house which is a worrying and also lonely situation ; students who attend Irish speaking schools do not have access to the online materials that those of us at English speaking schools ; some students find it incredibly difficult to study at home and concentration levels can be low ; a lot of students do not have access to Wifi/laptops and some teachers are unable to communicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mine who has not heard from her higher level maths teacher since the closure of schools on March 12th , and we can be assured that this is not an individual case either .
Unfortunately , these are only a couple of points in a long list of inequitable realities for students right now .
I am not claiming to be the voice of all Leaving Certificate students - but we should cancel the exams and grade students on their overall two years of work .
Any student unhappy could sit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way it is equal to all students .
It allows the ones who are mentally struggling to not put their mental health at any more risk , while those who want to sit their exams can do so at a later time when it is safe to do so .
This way we can control social distancing at a more realistic manner and this also equals the sharp divide between the haves and have nots .
Either way there are always going to be some students unhappy with the outcome .
I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , but is it worth prioritising tradition over mental health especially in this day and age in 2020 ?
The SEC has given predicted grades before if exam papers are misplaced so they have some knowledge of how that could work .
As after all the Leaving Certificate was not designed to be taught online , so why have teachers at all if we just have to teach ourselves the courses ?
I am a hard working student , I caught up on all my fifth year work when I was ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set for the exams to take place in June under normal circumstances just like every other sixth year student , but now Covid-19 has thrown a spanner in the works , in which we need to put our students ’ mental health before a pen to paper , just like Einstein said : “ The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking .
It can not be changed without changing our thinking ” .
I am asking you to change your traditional thinking .
We are asking you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many shoes .
With the majority of us students voting for the exams to be cancelled on the recent ISSU Survey .
We are asking you to do the right thing .
How does pushing out the exams , which normally start at the beginning of June to end July/beginning of August help in preparation and alleviate stress ?
This just prolongs the stress and anxiety which coincides with normal study and exasperates it by leaving students on their own , asking millions of questions , that have no answers to the logic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is to follow on top of this , to extend the academic year thinking that this is ‘ preparation time ’ ?
How can it be ?
School/formal education , finished at the beginning of March .
Five months later you expect students to enter the classroom again , for a two-week period , to achieve what exactly , and then spend the month of August in an exam hall ?
‘ the best interest of students first ” !
!
!
How can you mark these exam papers fairly , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and subject courses not completed ?
Your statement puts added pressure on all students and will lead to burnout and mental health problems .
This is an unprecedented time and the education system already has in place a marking scheme for “ events that can occur in a student ’ s life that are unprecedented ” .
It can award predictive grades , it has in the past .
I think it is only fair that the government reconsiders its decision to run with the exams in late summer and instead revert to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

While I would not describe my self as happy with the decision I do understand it. I doubt that any 17- or 18 year-old is thrilled to be losing their long sought-after summer holidays.
As much as the choice is far from ideal I believe it was the best option. Frankly, there was no decision that wasn’t going to be riddled with controversy. To go ahead with the exams as planned in June would put all those who are most vulnerable in a position where by they must choose to prioritise their health or their education.
And predicted grades in theory may seem like a solution our education system is not equipped for that like the UK’s is. The postponement of the exams will most definitely cause copious amounts of stress and anxiety. However, I fail to see an alternative.
It is hard to say the implications the decision will have on my grades, naturally it will be a difficult time of my life and I think that my final grades will largely be dependant on how long I can effectively stick to online learning plans before losing all motivation and depending on how long we are in school for prior to the final exams.
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I would like to believe that this time off will aid me in my studies though I think it would be naïve of me to assume that I will be productive during the months that were supposed to be holiday months. This is a very difficult time for everyone and not just students so I will try to simply take each day as it comes and go from there.
- Claire Jermyn
It is absolutely shameful that, going by the ISSU (Irish Second Level Students’) survey, the Government chose the least popular option. That is not how this should work. Minister McHugh does not understand the stress and pressure that we have to endure from every single angle from our life, especially considering we are now alone, by ourselves, with no teachers there to help. Instead, they send emails and you are expected to understand new content without a verbal explanation.
This only benefits those learners who prefer written information rather than it being spoken to you by a teacher. There is a clear divide now in terms of who is actually benefitting from all this. Clearly, neither the Department, the Minister nor the Taoiseach understand this. If they did, they would have instead chosen the preferred predicted grades option.
Predicted grades would help because this year out of any others, we need exceptions to be made. Every other aspect of society have had exceptions made for them: mortgage deferments, the pandemic payment. They have supports in place. Students do not.
Personally, I had plans for summer. While they still had slim chances of happening due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they are now completely wiped out due to this postponement. The opportunity for students to wind down after the exams is now erased, and replaced with a wind up instead!
We will not have our summer. We will not have an opportunity to see friends and have fun in the sun, or take advantage of part time jobs, to gain some experience of the working world. That has now been ripped out of our book of life, and replaced with “Leaving Cert: Continued”.
- Matthew Joyce
My overwhelming emotion is one of relief that a decision has been announced, albeit not one I would have hoped for. While I am pleased that my work over the past two years will not go to waste, I am unable to help having an overwhelming sense of dismay at the idea of spending my summer hunched over a desk committing maths theorems to memory.
I do not believe that there was ever going to be a correct option. I think given the unprecedented circumstances, holding written exams is the best way to ensure that students work over the past two years will still be recognised. However, it is difficult to justify the loss of class time on courses that were not designed to be taught online and I fear it will widen the divide between those with an abundance of opportunities and those for whom they are limited.
A place on our dream course is supposed to motivate sixth years to further push ourselves. Truthfully, in revising for the Leaving Cert, I have always been more driven by the short-term.
On the days when studying my seven subjects in great detail seemed like an insurmountable undertaking, it has always been the tantalising possibility of the summer ahead that returned my attention to the books.
I fear the loss of this will leave me fighting twice as hard to stay motivated in the coming months, particularly with the added distraction of Covid-19 still set to be lingering.
- Sophie Coffey
As a Leaving Certificate student, I must admit I am dumbfounded at the grievous ineptitude that Education Minister Joe McHugh has displayed about the recent concerns regarding our student’s second-level education nationwide.
As someone subject to the collateral damage left behind by the government in their recent decisions, I would beg - for the sanity of my fellow Leaving Cert students - that the Taoiseach reconsider his decisions in light of the educational purgatory I now find myself in.
In my opinion, it is unfathomable how the Government expects students to sit exams which determine their future in the midst of a global pandemic while their nearest and dearest succumb to this deadly virus. The voice of frustration from students such as myself is becoming defining. Please, Mr Varadkar, we deserve provisional dates and an immediate update on a CAO. That is clarification.
Overall, what I am asking of the government is simple. Reconsider your decisions. The “clarity” offered on Good Friday left us feeling no different than the days previous. We demand clarification not procrastination.
Students such as myself should not suffer academically as a result of this pandemic. We deserve to know what contingency plans are in place and to be given provisional dates for exams, which are understandably subject to change. We need to be informed of how the CAO will proceed and how college places will be awarded.
We need to be informed of how and when scripts from our Leaving Certificate will be corrected and to what quality and standard. We need a solution for both the academic and mental wellbeing of over 65,000 students.
We are the next generation of Éire. We are the ones adhering to the measures and deprivations of liberty imposed on us by the government to save the lives of others. We don’t need a thank you. We need clarification. So please, put yourselves in our shoes. We demand clarification, not procrastination.
- Dave Lawlor
We, between the ages of 17 and 19, demand to be heard. We have voices and we know how to use them. In the eyes of the state, most of us are considered adults, I, for one, am. I have a right of speech, a right to make my opinions heard, I am not a child. I can see the stress and pressure this decision has put myself, my parents and the general public under. I am acutely aware of the fact that you want the “Class of 2020” to have as normal a school year and as fair a chance at our exams as possible.
However, I must ask, what about our current situation is considered “normal”? Is it the fact that we cannot venture more than two kilometres from home? Or that I cannot put my arms around my terrified elderly grandmother and tell her that we will get through this?
We are living in times where “normality” has been thrown out the window, apparently along with all of your department’s intelligence.
Do you want to talk about fairness? It is by no means fair that you expect young adults, who have been trying to bear the crushing weight of the Leaving Certificate, to carry this weight for at least two months later than we signed up for.
Your actions have essentially driven us back in time to February, a time when panic attacks were a more common sight in the hallways than teachers, when students were scared to go to school, when I was sick, day after day, with blinding migraines and nausea. You have dumped us into the winter of our life time with seemingly no escape.
- Mikaela Louise McNamara
I appreciate these necessary actions by the Irish Government in the face of such a unique situation however, since the announcement of the immediate closure of all secondary schools across the country on March 12th, young people have felt forgotten.
We have received no information or direction apart from the common yet ill-conceived encouragement of “keep up your schoolwork”
The decision to cancel oral practicals and award all students 100 per cent was by no means a perfect solution, but it did satisfy worried students regarding their immediate concerns. Following this move, the delayed “clarification” given last Friday, presents nothing but inadequacies and consequently lacks any clarification which students not only desire but deserve. This announcement came as a shock to some, however, the leak of a Zoom conference call with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, confirmed to students our worst fears. We had not been adequately consulted and our voices were ignored.
- Jennifer Flynn
It is understandable that predictive grading , with a choice to sit the exam in August is not the most amazing option, however, it is the fairest. It’s not unprecedented. Ireland’s second-level teachers already provide predictive grades when students are applying for college places abroad. I believe that the opinion of candidates should be taken into account, as it has a direct impact on their future. Some 48 per cent of candidates voted for predicted grades as opposed to 19 per cent who wish to sit exams in late July or August according to the ISSU’s survey. Ultimately, we feel like we have been thrown a bone to quell our misgivings and keep us quiet. Although most of us are too focused and worried about the welfare of our family, friends and potential economic instability to voice our concerns, this does not mean our concerns are without merit. The decision-makers have disappointed us. I guess to them, the 18-year-old and 19-year-old electorate sitting these examinations are just collateral damage. Although we are being rendered voiceless, the reaction to this crisis and its impact on candidates will be reflected in future ballot boxes.
- Andrea Leddy
After speaking to students from all over Ireland who have both the “normal” stress that comes with sitting the Leaving Certificate, we now are also living in the midst of a global pandemic which is unnatural and confusing for everyone, and it is narrowly being assumed that we can continue to “study as normal and stay focused”.
Many students have parents who are working on the frontline therefore they are looking after siblings or are alone all day in the house which is a worrying and also lonely situation; students who attend Irish speaking schools do not have access to the online materials that those of us at English speaking schools; some students find it incredibly difficult to study at home and concentration levels can be low; a lot of students do not have access to Wifi/laptops and some teachers are unable to communicate with their students online.
One friend of mine who has not heard from her higher level maths teacher since the closure of schools on March 12th, and we can be assured that this is not an individual case either. Unfortunately, these are only a couple of points in a long list of inequitable realities for students right now.
- Alicia Joy O’Sullivan
I am not claiming to be the voice of all Leaving Certificate students - but we should cancel the exams and grade students on their overall two years of work. Any student unhappy could sit the exam later in the year.
This way it is equal to all students. It allows the ones who are mentally struggling to not put their mental health at any more risk, while those who want to sit their exams can do so at a later time when it is safe to do so. This way we can control social distancing at a more realistic manner and this also equals the sharp divide between the haves and have nots.
Either way there are always going to be some students unhappy with the outcome. I understand that decision-makers are in a very difficult situation, but is it worth prioritising tradition over mental health especially in this day and age in 2020?
The SEC has given predicted grades before if exam papers are misplaced so they have some knowledge of how that could work. As after all the Leaving Certificate was not designed to be taught online, so why have teachers at all if we just have to teach ourselves the courses?
I am a hard working student, I caught up on all my fifth year work when I was ill last year. I had my head set for the exams to take place in June under normal circumstances just like every other sixth year student, but now Covid-19 has thrown a spanner in the works, in which we need to put our students’ mental health before a pen to paper, just like Einstein said: “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking”. I am asking you to change your traditional thinking. We are asking you to put yourselves in our many upon many shoes. With the majority of us students voting for the exams to be cancelled on the recent ISSU Survey. We are asking you to do the right thing.
- Eamon (full name with editor)
How does pushing out the exams, which normally start at the beginning of June to end July/beginning of August help in preparation and alleviate stress? This just prolongs the stress and anxiety which coincides with normal study and exasperates it by leaving students on their own, asking millions of questions, that have no answers to the logic of this way of thinking, and what is to follow on top of this, to extend the academic year thinking that this is ‘preparation time’?
How can it be? School/formal education, finished at the beginning of March. Five months later you expect students to enter the classroom again, for a two-week period, to achieve what exactly, and then spend the month of August in an exam hall? ‘the best interest of students first”!!! How can you mark these exam papers fairly, when clearly the academic year was cut short and subject courses not completed? Your statement puts added pressure on all students and will lead to burnout and mental health problems.
This is an unprecedented time and the education system already has in place a marking scheme for “events that can occur in a student’s life that are unprecedented”. It can award predictive grades, it has in the past. I think it is only fair that the government reconsiders its decision to run with the exams in late summer and instead revert to a predictive score for all students.”
- Isabel (full name with editor)