theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Bubbles, pods, and isolation areas: How primary schools will reopen

Every primary school class is to be seen as a “ bubble ” , and within that bubble there will be “ pods ” where possible , according to the detailed new roadmap for the return of primary schools .
The 49-page plan states that each class “ bubble ” will stay as far apart from other classes as it can , and where a class can be subdivided into “ pods ” there should be a 1m gap between each pod and between pupils within that pod .
The pods will vary in size depending on the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Department of Education has also provided graphics that illustrate how some pods could involve up to 18 or 19 pupils for a class size of up to 32 students .
For a special needs class the pod could be made up of six , eight or 11 students along with a teacher and two special needs assistants , depending on the size of the classroom .
The aim is to limit the sharing of facilities rather than “ to avoid all contact between pods ” , the roadmap states .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from classrooms and desks reconfigured to ensure as much space as possible .
The teacher ’ s desk should be at least 1m away , and where possible 2m away , from pupils ’ desks .
Staff should maintain a minimum of a 1m distance , and where possible 2m , from students , according to the plan .
“ They should also take measures to avoid close contact at face-to-face level , such as remaining standing rather than sitting beside or crouching beside ” others , the plan says .
Class groupings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class from arrival at school in the morning until departure at the end of the school day ” , the roadmap states .
The roadmap calls for either separate breaks and meal times for different class “ bubbles ” or separate areas at break or meal times to help with this .
Hand sanitisers should be in place at school and classroom entrances and posters showing the correct way to wash hands should be in place .
Hand hygiene by both pupils and staff should be performed on arrival at school ; before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toilet ; after playing outdoors ; when hands are physically dirty , and after coughing or sneezing .
The roadmap states that personal protective equipment ( PPE ) will not be required to be worn within schools under current health guidance .
However , it adds that a limited number of staff might need to wear PPE if they are “ assisting with intimate care needs ” or where a suspected case of Covid-19 is identified while the school is in operation .
Cloth face masks should not be used for children under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or is unable to remove such a mask without help , the plan says .
It notes concerns too that “ wearing a face covering will conceal facial expression and make communication difficult ” , and says that face coverings should not be required if physical distancing is possible and practised appropriately .
“ The use of a visor as an alternative [ covering ] may be considered where there is a concern regarding prolonged close contact and exposure to fluid/respiratory droplets , ” it adds .
Teachers or pupils should not attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms of Covid-19 , the plan says .
Where there is a suspected case there should be a designated isolation area within schools .
For children with symptoms , parents should be contacted immediately .
A mask should be provided for the individual involved , and where social distancing is not possible staff caring for the pupil should wear a mask .
However , gloves should not be used because the virus does not pass through the skin .
Public transport should not be used to get the pupil home .
Appropriate cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
Where a case is positive the HSE will contact all relevant persons .
Choir and music practices with wind instruments “ may pose a higher level of risk ” , so rooms in which such activities take place should be well ventilated , with social distancing maintained , the roadmap says .
Staggered drop-off at and collection from schools should be considered where possible , and walking or cycling to school is preferred , the plan states .
There should be no congregating at school gates “ where physical distancing may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance of 2m should be maintained outside the schools .
Children should head straight for their classroom on arrival , the roadmap says .

Every primary school class is to be seen as a “bubble”, and within that bubble there will be “pods” where possible, according to the detailed new roadmap for the return of primary schools.
The 49-page plan states that each class “bubble” will stay as far apart from other classes as it can, and where a class can be subdivided into “pods” there should be a 1m gap between each pod and between pupils within that pod. The pods will vary in size depending on the number of children in a classroom and its size.
The Department of Education has also provided graphics that illustrate how some pods could involve up to 18 or 19 pupils for a class size of up to 32 students. For a special needs class the pod could be made up of six, eight or 11 students along with a teacher and two special needs assistants, depending on the size of the classroom.
The aim is to limit the sharing of facilities rather than “to avoid all contact between pods”, the roadmap states.
READ MORE
All unnecessary furniture and shelves should be removed from classrooms and desks reconfigured to ensure as much space as possible. The teacher’s desk should be at least 1m away, and where possible 2m away, from pupils’ desks.
Staff should maintain a minimum of a 1m distance, and where possible 2m, from students, according to the plan. “They should also take measures to avoid close contact at face-to-face level, such as remaining standing rather than sitting beside or crouching beside” others, the plan says.
Separate breaks
Class groupings should “mix only with their own class from arrival at school in the morning until departure at the end of the school day”, the roadmap states.
The roadmap calls for either separate breaks and meal times for different class “bubbles” or separate areas at break or meal times to help with this.
Hand sanitisers should be in place at school and classroom entrances and posters showing the correct way to wash hands should be in place.
Hand hygiene by both pupils and staff should be performed on arrival at school; before eating or drinking; after using the toilet; after playing outdoors; when hands are physically dirty, and after coughing or sneezing.
The roadmap states that personal protective equipment (PPE) will not be required to be worn within schools under current health guidance. However, it adds that a limited number of staff might need to wear PPE if they are “assisting with intimate care needs” or where a suspected case of Covid-19 is identified while the school is in operation.
Cloth face masks should not be used for children under 13 or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unable to remove such a mask without help, the plan says.
It notes concerns too that “wearing a face covering will conceal facial expression and make communication difficult”, and says that face coverings should not be required if physical distancing is possible and practised appropriately.
“The use of a visor as an alternative [covering] may be considered where there is a concern regarding prolonged close contact and exposure to fluid/respiratory droplets,” it adds.
Covid-19 symptoms
Teachers or pupils should not attend school if they display any of the symptoms of Covid-19, the plan says. Where there is a suspected case there should be a designated isolation area within schools. For children with symptoms, parents should be contacted immediately. A mask should be provided for the individual involved, and where social distancing is not possible staff caring for the pupil should wear a mask. However, gloves should not be used because the virus does not pass through the skin. Public transport should not be used to get the pupil home. Appropriate cleaning of the areas involved should be carried out. Where a case is positive the HSE will contact all relevant persons.
Choir and music practices with wind instruments “may pose a higher level of risk”, so rooms in which such activities take place should be well ventilated, with social distancing maintained, the roadmap says.
Staggered drop-off at and collection from schools should be considered where possible, and walking or cycling to school is preferred, the plan states.
There should be no congregating at school gates “where physical distancing may not be respected”, and a distance of 2m should be maintained outside the schools. Children should head straight for their classroom on arrival, the roadmap says.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Kinnegad school: ‘We have a seven-acre site and can stagger access’

Matt Melvin , the principal of the 540-pupil St Etchen ’ s National School in Kinnegad , Co Westmeath , is “ fairly sure ” that he will be able to open his school next month , but he is not sure about others .
“ We have a seven-acre site .
We can easily stagger access and egress with four yards , a large car park and large classrooms .
I ’ d be concerned about whether smaller schools could reopen .
“ I know a school in Mullingar with small yards and I don ’ t know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melvin , who worries , too , about whether the €41.2 million budgeted to pay extra substitute teachers will be enough .
“ I don ’ t know how they came up with this figure , but I think it might not be enough .
We need more detail on the number of substitute teachers that will be available , ” he said .
“ In my own personal circumstances , I haven ’ t taken sick leave in eight years .
I would come into school with a head cold or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t come into school with a flu .
“ And you can ’ t have a substitute covering 15 schools for example , because they will be shut in clusters if there is an outbreak , so there needs to be a small limit on the number of the schools they cover.
” Some of his 30-strong teaching staff are concerned they will be asked to forego their three annual extra personal vacation ( EPV ) days if colleagues are out sick .
EPV allowances consume 90 teaching days in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge issue in schools – if they are not covered it will lead to a lot of difficulties , ” he said .
In past years , a shortage of a teacher could be fixed short-term by splitting pupils among other classes , but this can not happen now .
“ I suspect they might be planning to use special education or resource teachers to cover classrooms that don ’ t have a teacher , but they don ’ t want to say it.
” More clarity is also needed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a school has to stay shut for days because of an outbreak , he said .
Schools , though , should give the plan “ a fair wind ” as long as the Department of Education remained flexible in tweaking it , if and when it is needed as the weeks and months go on .
“ It would be churlish not to say a lot of work has been put into this .
It is a lot of money too .
But the department can be very rigid at times – rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an open mind , be adroit and adaptable .
”

Monica Hickey, fifth class teacher, and Matt Melvin, principal, at St Etchen’s National School, Kinnegad: “I would come into school with a head cold or the flu. But next year, I can’t come into school with a flu,” says Mr Melvin. Photograph: Alan Betson
Matt Melvin, the principal of the 540-pupil St Etchen’s National School in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, is “fairly sure” that he will be able to open his school next month, but he is not sure about others.
“We have a seven-acre site. We can easily stagger access and egress with four yards, a large car park and large classrooms. I’d be concerned about whether smaller schools could reopen.
“I know a school in Mullingar with small yards and I don’t know how they’ll manage,” said Melvin, who worries, too, about whether the €41.2 million budgeted to pay extra substitute teachers will be enough.
“I don’t know how they came up with this figure, but I think it might not be enough. We need more detail on the number of substitute teachers that will be available,” he said.
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Sick leave
“In my own personal circumstances, I haven’t taken sick leave in eight years. I would come into school with a head cold or the flu. But next year, I can’t come into school with a flu.
“And you can’t have a substitute covering 15 schools for example, because they will be shut in clusters if there is an outbreak, so there needs to be a small limit on the number of the schools they cover.”
Some of his 30-strong teaching staff are concerned they will be asked to forego their three annual extra personal vacation (EPV) days if colleagues are out sick.
EPV allowances consume 90 teaching days in his school alone: “That’s a huge issue in schools – if they are not covered it will lead to a lot of difficulties,” he said.
Shortage solutions
In past years, a shortage of a teacher could be fixed short-term by splitting pupils among other classes, but this cannot happen now.
“I suspect they might be planning to use special education or resource teachers to cover classrooms that don’t have a teacher, but they don’t want to say it.”
More clarity is also needed on the technology that will be made available if a school has to stay shut for days because of an outbreak, he said.
Schools, though, should give the plan “a fair wind” as long as the Department of Education remained flexible in tweaking it, if and when it is needed as the weeks and months go on.
“It would be churlish not to say a lot of work has been put into this. It is a lot of money too. But the department can be very rigid at times – rules are rules – and it needs to have an open mind, be adroit and adaptable.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Liam Campbell given date to appeal extradition order surrendering him to Lithuania

Liam Campbell , who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing , has been given a date next January to appeal an extradition order surrendering him to Lithuania , where he is to answer charges of international weapons trafficking .
Campbell ( 58 ) was arrested in Upper Faughart , Dundalk , Co Louth , on December 2nd , 2016 , on foot of the second European Arrest Warrant ( EAW ) issued by Lithuanian authorities to be endorsed by the High Court here .
It was the third attempt overall by Lithuania to seek Campbell ’ s surrender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single deadliest incident in the Troubles , resulting in 29 deaths .
In a judgement returned from the High Court on June 26th , Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said she was satisfied that an order for the surrender of Campbell could be made .
However , Campbell lodged an appeal against his extradition order which was given a date for hearing in the Court of Appeal on Monday .
During case management procedures at the court , Mr Justice John Edwards fixed January 19th next year as for the date for the appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full day .
Ronan Kennedy SC , for the State , asked for Campbell ’ s hearing to be put into the next case management list before the Court of Appeal in order to get the earliest possible date .
Mr Justice Edwards agreed for Mr Campbell ’ s case to be mentioned before the three-judge court on October 9th .
The arrest warrant for Campbell stated that he allegedly organised the preparation for the smuggling of weapons in support of the “ terrorist grouping ” the Real IRA ( RIRA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of 2007 .
In his submission for leave to appeal , Remy Farrell SC for Mr Campbell successfully argued that there was a question on a point of law as to whether or not the wording of an “ intention ” by a foreign jurisdiction to put someone on trial was the same as putting them on trial .
The Minister for Justice , represented by Mr Patrick McGrath SC , had opposed the submission for leave to appeal .
Ms Justice Donnelly formally made the order for Campbell ’ s surrender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave to appeal his surrender on a point of law .
She said that the High Court was “ amenable ” to clarity being sought as to whether an intention to put someone on trial is “ coterminous ” with putting them on trial .
The judge said that the respondent ’ s case was on “ very nuanced matters ” and that it was not “ necessarily about the strength of the point in the case ” but it was whether or not there was “ uncertainty ” .
The EAW had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offences : preparation of a crime , illegal possession of firearms and terrorism .
The maximum sentence for the offence of terrorism is 20 years .
The warrant alleges that Campbell “ made arrangements , while acting in an organised terrorist group , the Real Irish Republican Army ( RIRA ) to acquire a substantial number of firearms and explosives from Lithuania and smuggle them into Ireland ” .
It further alleges that during the end of 2006 to 2007 Campbell “ made arrangements with Seamus McGreevy , Michael Campbell ( his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persons to travel to Lithuania for the purposes of acquiring firearms and explosives , including , automatic rifles , sniper guns , projectors , detonators , timers and trotyl [ TNT ] ” .
Campbell had previously spent four years in custody in Northern Ireland during a second attempt to extradite him but was released when he succeeded in his objection that to do so would be a breach of his rights .

Liam Campbell: The European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities had sought to prosecute him on three offences: preparation of a crime, illegal possession of firearms and terrorism. Photograph: Courtpix
Liam Campbell, who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing, has been given a date next January to appeal an extradition order surrendering him to Lithuania, where he is to answer charges of international weapons trafficking.
Campbell (58) was arrested in Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, on December 2nd, 2016, on foot of the second European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Lithuanian authorities to be endorsed by the High Court here. It was the third attempt overall by Lithuania to seek Campbell's surrender.
The 1998 Omagh bombing was the single deadliest incident in the Troubles, resulting in 29 deaths.
In a judgement returned from the High Court on June 26th, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said she was satisfied that an order for the surrender of Campbell could be made.
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However, Campbell lodged an appeal against his extradition order which was given a date for hearing in the Court of Appeal on Monday.
During case management procedures at the court, Mr Justice John Edwards fixed January 19th next year as for the date for the appeal hearing, which is expected to last a full day.
Ronan Kennedy SC, for the State, asked for Campbell's hearing to be put into the next case management list before the Court of Appeal in order to get the earliest possible date.
Mr Justice Edwards agreed for Mr Campbell’s case to be mentioned before the three-judge court on October 9th.
The arrest warrant for Campbell stated that he allegedly organised the preparation for the smuggling of weapons in support of the “terrorist grouping” the Real IRA (RIRA) between the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007.
In his submission for leave to appeal, Remy Farrell SC for Mr Campbell successfully argued that there was a question on a point of law as to whether or not the wording of an "intention" by a foreign jurisdiction to put someone on trial was the same as putting them on trial.
The Minister for Justice, represented by Mr Patrick McGrath SC, had opposed the submission for leave to appeal.
Maximum sentence
Ms Justice Donnelly formally made the order for Campbell's surrender on July 13th and also granted him leave to appeal his surrender on a point of law. She said that the High Court was "amenable" to clarity being sought as to whether an intention to put someone on trial is "coterminous" with putting them on trial.
The judge said that the respondent’s case was on “very nuanced matters” and that it was not “necessarily about the strength of the point in the case” but it was whether or not there was “uncertainty”.
The EAW had sought Campbell to prosecute him on three offences: preparation of a crime, illegal possession of firearms and terrorism. The maximum sentence for the offence of terrorism is 20 years.
The warrant alleges that Campbell "made arrangements, while acting in an organised terrorist group, the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) to acquire a substantial number of firearms and explosives from Lithuania and smuggle them into Ireland".
It further alleges that during the end of 2006 to 2007 Campbell "made arrangements with Seamus McGreevy, Michael Campbell (his brother), Brendan McGuigan and other unidentified persons to travel to Lithuania for the purposes of acquiring firearms and explosives, including, automatic rifles, sniper guns, projectors, detonators, timers and trotyl [TNT]".
Campbell had previously spent four years in custody in Northern Ireland during a second attempt to extradite him but was released when he succeeded in his objection that to do so would be a breach of his rights.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Solicitor who allowed deficit in client funds is struck off

A solicitor who admitted allegations of professional misconduct , including allowing a deficit of €213,309 in client funds , has been struck off the roll of solicitors .
The president of the High Court , Ms Justice Mary Irvine , made the strike-off order , on consent , in respect of Raphael M Gilmore , previously practising as Gilmore Solicitors , Bridge Street , Ringsend , Dublin .
Mr Gilmore previously accepted the society had no option but to seek a strike-off order in light of the findings against him .
In an affidavit to the court on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society ’ s regulatory legal services section , said Mr Gilmore was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1999 , and his last practising certificate was for the year ending December 31st , 2017 .
She said the solicitors ’ disciplinary tribunal heard a complaint against Mr Gilmore in January 2020 , and made findings of misconduct .
She said Mr Gilmore had admitted the allegations of misconduct , and admitted those amounted to professional misconduct .
Among various findings , the tribunal found Mr Gilmore failed to keep proper books of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations , and had allowed a deficit of €213,309 in client funds as of November 11th , 2018 .
It also found he had failed to stamp and register 10 deeds despite being in funds to do so , and had misled the society and its regulation of practice committee by producing a false closing accountant ’ s report and by denying that report was false .
Other findings included he had misled the committee by stating deficits on two accounts had been cleared when that was not the case .
His indication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision that a loan of €295,000 received from a relative of his was to be repaid , the tribunal also found .
Other findings included he had allowed an undated letter to be submitted to the society and committee which was later shown to be falsified and had submitted a falsified office bank account statement to his reporting accountant .
As a result of the findings , the tribunal recommended the matter be forwarded by the society to the president of the High Court with a recommendation that he be struck off @ @ @

The president of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, made the strike-off order, on consent, in respect of Raphael M Gilmore, previously practising as Gilmore Solicitors, Bridge Street, Ringsend, Dublin
A solicitor who admitted allegations of professional misconduct, including allowing a deficit of €213,309 in client funds, has been struck off the roll of solicitors.
The president of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, made the strike-off order, on consent, in respect of Raphael M Gilmore, previously practising as Gilmore Solicitors, Bridge Street, Ringsend, Dublin.
Mr Gilmore previously accepted the society had no option but to seek a strike-off order in light of the findings against him.
In an affidavit to the court on Monday, Mary Fenelon, a solicitor with the society's regulatory legal services section, said Mr Gilmore was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1999, and his last practising certificate was for the year ending December 31st, 2017.
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She said the solicitors’ disciplinary tribunal heard a complaint against Mr Gilmore in January 2020, and made findings of misconduct.
She said Mr Gilmore had admitted the allegations of misconduct, and admitted those amounted to professional misconduct.
Among various findings, the tribunal found Mr Gilmore failed to keep proper books of account in breach of the solicitors accounts regulations, and had allowed a deficit of €213,309 in client funds as of November 11th, 2018.
It also found he had failed to stamp and register 10 deeds despite being in funds to do so, and had misled the society and its regulation of practice committee by producing a false closing accountant’s report and by denying that report was false.
Two accounts
Other findings included he had misled the committee by stating deficits on two accounts had been cleared when that was not the case. His indication that one deficit was cleared had prompted a decision that a loan of €295,000 received from a relative of his was to be repaid, the tribunal also found.
Other findings included he had allowed an undated letter to be submitted to the society and committee which was later shown to be falsified and had submitted a falsified office bank account statement to his reporting accountant.
As a result of the findings, the tribunal recommended the matter be forwarded by the society to the president of the High Court with a recommendation that he be struck off the roll.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Call for Dublin homelessness forum following five deaths in a week

A call for the re-establishment of the Lord Mayor ’ s forum on homelessness in Dublin has followed the fifth death among the city ’ s homeless population in a week .
The call has been made by Inner City Helping Homeless chief executive Anthony Flynn , who said : “ We need clear and concrete leadership on this matter.
” He also said he believed the level of deaths in the sector was seriously under-reported and has requested the Dublin Region Homeless Executive give a computer report on the number of deaths over the last month in particular .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ families of the five homeless people who died “ in the last week in homeless services and hospice care ” .
“ Five deaths in a week is an unprecedentedly high number , and is obviously a cause for concern .
In all of these cases support was being offered by our homeless services , but unfortunately homelessness is often complicated by medical or social factors .
Regrettably , even with the highest level of support , five people have lost their lives , ” it said .
On Sunday it was confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead in Dublin homeless services accommodation .
On Friday a homeless man was found dead on Dorset Street in the north inner city , while on Saturday a homeless woman was found dead in a facility providing emergency accommodation in the city .
Last Tuesday the bodies of two women were discovered at the Abigail Women ’ s Centre on Kildonan Road in Finglas .
The first woman , who was 34 years old , was discovered in her room .
It is understood she was a mother and died by suicide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was 21 , was found several hours later .
It remains unclear how she died .

A call for the re-establishment of the Lord Mayor’s forum on homelessness in Dublin has followed the fifth death among the city’s homeless population in a week.
The call has been made by Inner City Helping Homeless chief executive Anthony Flynn, who said: "We need clear and concrete leadership on this matter."
He also said he believed the level of deaths in the sector was seriously under-reported and has requested the Dublin Region Homeless Executive give a computer report on the number of deaths over the last month in particular.
The executive offered its sympathies to the families of the five homeless people who died “in the last week in homeless services and hospice care”.
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“Five deaths in a week is an unprecedentedly high number, and is obviously a cause for concern. In all of these cases support was being offered by our homeless services, but unfortunately homelessness is often complicated by medical or social factors. Regrettably, even with the highest level of support, five people have lost their lives,” it said.
On Sunday it was confirmed that a young woman had been found dead in Dublin homeless services accommodation.
On Friday a homeless man was found dead on Dorset Street in the north inner city, while on Saturday a homeless woman was found dead in a facility providing emergency accommodation in the city.
Last Tuesday the bodies of two women were discovered at the Abigail Women's Centre on Kildonan Road in Finglas. The first woman, who was 34 years old, was discovered in her room. It is understood she was a mother and died by suicide. The body of a second woman, who was 21, was found several hours later. It remains unclear how she died.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Galway city: ‘You wouldn’t even know it’s race week’

Usually during Galway ’ s race week , Eyre Square would be packed with punters getting ready to travel out to Ballybrit .
This year , the races are closed to the public , the shuttle buses are absent .
So far , the city is noticeably emptier .
Nevertheless , hotels across the city are fully booked , or nearly so , “ but not with the usual race-goers ” , said Rory Fitzpatrick , general manager of the Clayton Hotel near the racecourse .
“ They have been replaced by families and ‘ staycationers ’ who wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Fitzpatrick , who would usually be busy hosting a 250-strong corporate lunch to kick off the racing festival .
Like many other hotels , the Clayton usually hosts live bands , entertainment and a shuttle bus service to the course , but this year there is “ nothing , you wouldn ’ t even know it ’ s race week ” , he told the Irish Times .
“ Normally this would be the busiest week of the year , and although it ’ s fully booked , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would normally be , ” said Fitzpatrick .
This is largely due to a fall-off in bar sales .
Back in Galway , some hotels are operating strict “ residents only ” rules for the week , a far cry from the usual festival when racegoers would fill bars until the early hours .
Eliza Kelly , food manager in The Skeff Bar in Eyre Square said : “ We would usually order hundreds of kegs for race week , but we ’ ve kept it small this year , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales will be no more than a quarter of the usual festival takings , Kelly said “ the Skeff ’ s ” late bar is not allowed to have live music , while its nightclub , DNA is closed .
Rooms in the Skeffington Arms Hotel are fully booked , but its front office manager , Tina Robink , said they had lowered prices by at least €150 to attract staycationers : “ There is only one person staying tonight that is in town for the races.
” Some pubs , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of no-shows and “ bar hopping ” , said Dita Gapcuka , restaurant assistant manager of Busker Brown ’ s Bar and Kirby ’ s Restaurant on Cross Street .
They are “ so many no-shows , people are chancing their arm bar-hopping and tend not to show up ” , she went on , adding that the business is expecting to be “ a lot busier later in the week ” as Ladies Day approaches on Thursday .
Paul Grealish , owner of The Kings Head on High Street , feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to mess up ” .
The pub is heavily booked this week , but “ it ’ s no different to any other week since opening on July 2nd ” .
A lot of Irish are visiting for staycations , he said , but the pub owner says the King ’ s Head will turn over a “ tiny fraction of what we would normally do ” because they are operating as a restaurant .

Day one of the 2020 Galway Races Summer Festival at Galway Racecourse: where the bookies would normally operate. Photograph; Niall Carson/PA
Usually during Galway's race week, Eyre Square would be packed with punters getting ready to travel out to Ballybrit. This year, the races are closed to the public, the shuttle buses are absent. So far, the city is noticeably emptier.
Nevertheless, hotels across the city are fully booked, or nearly so, "but not with the usual race-goers", said Rory Fitzpatrick, general manager of the Clayton Hotel near the racecourse.
“They have been replaced by families and ‘staycationers’ who wouldn’t normally visit the city this week,” said Fitzpatrick, who would usually be busy hosting a 250-strong corporate lunch to kick off the racing festival.
Like many other hotels, the Clayton usually hosts live bands, entertainment and a shuttle bus service to the course, but this year there is “nothing, you wouldn’t even know it’s race week”, he told the Irish Times.
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‘Residents only’
“Normally this would be the busiest week of the year, and although it’s fully booked, it’s a far cry from where we would normally be,” said Fitzpatrick. This is largely due to a fall-off in bar sales.
Back in Galway, some hotels are operating strict “residents only” rules for the week, a far cry from the usual festival when racegoers would fill bars until the early hours.
Eliza Kelly, food manager in The Skeff Bar in Eyre Square said: "We would usually order hundreds of kegs for race week, but we've kept it small this year, it's not even close."
Predicting that bar sales will be no more than a quarter of the usual festival takings, Kelly said “the Skeff’s” late bar is not allowed to have live music, while its nightclub, DNA is closed.
Staycationer influx
Rooms in the Skeffington Arms Hotel are fully booked, but its front office manager, Tina Robink, said they had lowered prices by at least €150 to attract staycationers: "There is only one person staying tonight that is in town for the races."
Some pubs, however, are demanding customer deposits because of the number of no-shows and “bar hopping”, said Dita Gapcuka, restaurant assistant manager of Busker Brown’s Bar and Kirby’s Restaurant on Cross Street.
They are “so many no-shows, people are chancing their arm bar-hopping and tend not to show up”, she went on, adding that the business is expecting to be “a lot busier later in the week” as Ladies Day approaches on Thursday.
Paul Grealish, owner of The Kings Head on High Street, feels "there is an onus on pubs not to mess up". The pub is heavily booked this week, but "it's no different to any other week since opening on July 2nd".
A lot of Irish are visiting for staycations, he said, but the pub owner says the King’s Head will turn over a “tiny fraction of what we would normally do” because they are operating as a restaurant.


theirishtimes--2020-07-27--Spanish lobby Government to add islands to ‘green list’

Spanish authorities have urged the Irish Government to add the Balearic Islands , including Mallorca and Ibiza , and the Canary Islands to the “ safe ” list for travelling Irish tourists The State ’ s “ green list ” has identified locations where Covid-19 rates are comparable or lower than Ireland , and from which travellers coming to Ireland would not have to endure 14 days of restricted movement .
The current list includes 13 countries and two autonomous regions , Greenland and Gibraltar .
Despite the existence of the list , the Government is still encouraging people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ islands were not included on the list , which is to be reviewed next week , which means that anyone travelling from anywhere on the Spanish mainland , or any of its islands are subject to isolation rules .
However the Spanish government has strongly urged other EU states to exclude the Balearics and the Canary Islands from restrictions , saying that Covid-19 rates there are low and they “ are safe locations to travel ” .
The Balearics include popular holiday destinations such as Mallorca , Menorca and Ibiza .
Popular destinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tenerife and Lanzarote .
The Spanish Embassy in Dublin said : “ We are focusing now on the situation in the Balearic and Canary Islands , both are safe locations to travel .
The next review of the green list gives a good opportunity to include both.
” The Department of Foreign Affairs said the next review of the green list would be due next week and then every fortnight after that .
The list is drawn up by the Cabinet , having reviewed the health advice .

Spanish flags being used as social distancing markers stick out from the sand in Palma, Mallorca, one of the popular Balearic Islands in Spain. Photograph: Joan Mateu/AP
Spanish authorities have urged the Irish Government to add the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca and Ibiza, and the Canary Islands to the “safe” list for travelling Irish tourists
The State’s “green list” has identified locations where Covid-19 rates are comparable or lower than Ireland, and from which travellers coming to Ireland would not have to endure 14 days of restricted movement.
The current list includes 13 countries and two autonomous regions, Greenland and Gibraltar. Despite the existence of the list, the Government is still encouraging people to stay at home.
Spain and its islands were not included on the list, which is to be reviewed next week, which means that anyone travelling from anywhere on the Spanish mainland, or any of its islands are subject to isolation rules.
READ MORE
However the Spanish government has strongly urged other EU states to exclude the Balearics and the Canary Islands from restrictions, saying that Covid-19 rates there are low and they “are safe locations to travel”.
The Balearics include popular holiday destinations such as Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Popular destinations in the Canaries include Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote.
The Spanish Embassy in Dublin said: “We are focusing now on the situation in the Balearic and Canary Islands, both are safe locations to travel. The next review of the green list gives a good opportunity to include both.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the next review of the green list would be due next week and then every fortnight after that. The list is drawn up by the Cabinet, having reviewed the health advice.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Deaths levels in Northern Ireland more than 17 per cent higher during Covid-19 period

The latest statistics show there were 885 excess deaths reported in Northern Ireland for the four-month period up to the end of June – which closely corresponds with the 837 coronavirus deaths recorded over the same period .
The figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( Nisra ) from March 1st to June 30th illustrate the number of deaths in the North were 17.4 per cent above expected levels when taking in death number over the last five years .
The number of excess deaths for women ( 474 ) is higher than that for men ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Covid-19-related illness compared to 416 men .
Although coronavirus is known to affect more men than women , this apparent anomaly is explained by the fact that women live longer that men and most of the coronavirus deaths impact on the elderly .
Nisra said that , based on the statistics , proportionally more men than women die from Covid-19 .
The vast majority of excess deaths ( 78.4 per cent ) and Covid-19-related deaths ( 79.8 per cent ) are accounted for by those aged 75 and over .
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent above expected levels , compared to 17.4 per cent for all ages .
Nisra also reported that , against the general expectation , excess deaths were highest in the least deprived areas , with just over a 20 per cent increase in deaths in this group compared to expected levels .
Nisra said that there is not a “ clear pattern in these figures ” but that it appears to be explained by the fact that more older people , who suffer most from the virus , live in the better-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes in these least deprived areas .
Nisra reported that “ one striking finding is the negative excess deaths in hospitals , with the total number of hospital deaths from March to June lower than the five-year average , despite the 434 Covid-19 related deaths ” in hospitals .
It said it appeared the virus “ may have displaced a sizeable number of non-Covid-19 related deaths that could have been expected to occur in hospitals ” .
Care homes had similar levels of excess deaths ( 336 ) and Covid-19-related deaths ( 346 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths at home ( 556 ) is more than twelve-fold the number of Covid-19 related deaths at home ( 44 ) and account for 62.8 per cent of excess deaths over the period , ” Nisra reported .
“ There could be a number of reasons for this , for example , hospitals retaining capacity for Covid-19 patients , but also hospital restrictions on visitors could have led to patients deciding to receive palliative care at home , supported by their families , ” it added .
The 95 excess deaths for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double that of the 40 Covid-19 related deaths in this age group suggesting , according to Nisra , “ that direct effects of the pandemic could account for less than half of the impact on excess mortality in this age group ” .
It said that further analysis would be needed on this particular category and finding once more information was available about cause of death .
The Belfast City Council area had the largest number of excess deaths ( 218 ) , accounting for a quarter ( 24.6 per cent ) of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland .
However , Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council had the highest excess deaths relative to the expected level of deaths .
Its excess death rate was 28.4 per cent above expected levels , while Mid Ulster Council had the lowest excess rate ( 7 per cent ) .
Excess deaths were lower in rural areas at 14.3 per cent above expected levels , compared to 18.7 per cent in urban areas .

The latest statistics show there were 885 excess deaths reported in Northern Ireland for the four-month period up to the end of June – which closely corresponds with the 837 coronavirus deaths recorded over the same period.
The figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) from March 1st to June 30th illustrate the number of deaths in the North were 17.4 per cent above expected levels when taking in death number over the last five years.
The number of excess deaths for women (474) is higher than that for men (411), while 421 women died from Covid-19-related illness compared to 416 men.
Although coronavirus is known to affect more men than women, this apparent anomaly is explained by the fact that women live longer that men and most of the coronavirus deaths impact on the elderly.
READ MORE
Nisra said that, based on the statistics, proportionally more men than women die from Covid-19.
The vast majority of excess deaths (78.4 per cent) and Covid-19-related deaths (79.8 per cent) are accounted for by those aged 75 and over. In this age group, excess deaths were 21.3 per cent above expected levels, compared to 17.4 per cent for all ages.
Nisra also reported that, against the general expectation, excess deaths were highest in the least deprived areas, with just over a 20 per cent increase in deaths in this group compared to expected levels.
Nisra said that there is not a “clear pattern in these figures” but that it appears to be explained by the fact that more older people, who suffer most from the virus, live in the better-off areas and that there are more care homes in these least deprived areas.
Nisra reported that “one striking finding is the negative excess deaths in hospitals, with the total number of hospital deaths from March to June lower than the five-year average, despite the 434 Covid-19 related deaths” in hospitals.
It said it appeared the virus “may have displaced a sizeable number of non-Covid-19 related deaths that could have been expected to occur in hospitals”.
Care homes had similar levels of excess deaths (336) and Covid-19-related deaths (346). “In contrast, excess deaths at home (556) is more than twelve-fold the number of Covid-19 related deaths at home (44) and account for 62.8 per cent of excess deaths over the period,” Nisra reported.
“There could be a number of reasons for this, for example, hospitals retaining capacity for Covid-19 patients, but also hospital restrictions on visitors could have led to patients deciding to receive palliative care at home, supported by their families,” it added.
The 95 excess deaths for the age group 55-64 years was more than double that of the 40 Covid-19 related deaths in this age group suggesting, according to Nisra, “that direct effects of the pandemic could account for less than half of the impact on excess mortality in this age group”.
It said that further analysis would be needed on this particular category and finding once more information was available about cause of death.
The Belfast City Council area had the largest number of excess deaths (218), accounting for a quarter (24.6 per cent) of the total number of excess deaths in Northern Ireland.
However, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council had the highest excess deaths relative to the expected level of deaths. Its excess death rate was 28.4 per cent above expected levels, while Mid Ulster Council had the lowest excess rate (7 per cent).
Excess deaths were lower in rural areas at 14.3 per cent above expected levels, compared to 18.7 per cent in urban areas.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Shelbourne Hotel removes 153-year-old statues of slave girls from its plinth

The Shelbourne Hotel has taken down two statues of manacled slave girls which have stood outside the hotel for the last 153 years .
The statues were removed on Monday as a result of the Black Lives Matter protests , which have highlighted the number of statues to slaves or slave owners in cities around the world .
Four bronze statues were commissioned by the Shelbourne Hotel ’ s original owner in 1867 .
They depict two Nubian princesses from east Africa and their slave girls holding torches .
The statues were cast in bronze and commissioned from the studios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shelbourne Hotel , which has been situated on St Stephen ’ s Green since 1824 , removed them on Monday in line with the decision by other bodies and local authorities to remove states relating to the slave trade .
In a statement , the hotel said it removed the statues on Monday and the removal had been planned for “ some time now ” .
The decision was taken in “ light of recent world events ” , although it did not elaborate on whether the decision was taken unilaterally or under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hotel is now working with Irish Heritage on plans for a suitable replacement “ that are in line with the heritage and values of the property .
We will share further information in due course ” .
The five-star hotel underwent a €40 million renovation programme between 2005 and 2007 and was closed for 18 months .
It celebrated 195 years in business last year .
It is owned and operated by Marriott International .
The hotel has 265 rooms in total .

The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin has taken down four statues which have stood outside it for the last 153 years because of their associations with slavery.
The four bronze statues were commissioned by the Shelbourne Hotel’s owner in 1867 when the celebrated facade was erected.
They depict two Nubian princesses from the lower Nile and their slave girls holding torches.
Nubia was for a long time a rival kingdom to Ancient Egypt before it was conquered by the Egyptians and its art was an important influence in the 19th century.
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A view of the statueless plinths at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The princess statues had hieroglyphics down the front of them.
The statues were cast in bronze and commissioned from the studios of MM Barbezat of Paris.
The Shelbourne Hotel, which has been situated on St Stephen's Green since 1824, removed them on Monday in line with the decision by other bodies and local authorities to remove statues relating to the slave trade.
The hotel’s general manager JP Kavanagh said the decision to take the four statues down had been taken by them alone and there had been no complaints from outsiders about them.
“It was a decision taken just by us with our owner and operator. This decision has been coming for a number of weeks given what has been happening in the world,” he said.
“When we restored the facade in 2015 and 2016, we consulted with Irish Heritage and the Irish Georgian Society.
“What comes next I don’t know at this stage, but we will work with the relevant authorities.”
Mr Kavanagh said there was a possibility that some or all of the statues might be restored to their old plinths but "right now" that is not an option and they hoped to work with Irish Heritage to replace them. "We will share further information in due course," he added.
The five-star hotel underwent a €40 million renovation programme between 2005 and 2007 and was closed for 18 months. It celebrated 195 years in business last year.
A view of a statueless plinth at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
It was acquired by the global real estate company Kennedy Wilson in 2014 and two year later it completed a significant refurbishment of the exterior facade that later won the Irish Georgian Society's top award. However, there was no attempt to remove the statues at that stage.
However the Irish Georgian Society on Tuesday raised the question about the need for planning permission to remove the statues. It said “in the interests of clarity, the IGS was not consulted about the removal of statues from The Shelbourne Hotel”.
Green Party MEP for Dublin Ciaran Cuffe called for a period of public consultation about the statues. The 265-room hotel is operated by Marriott International.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Garda vetting bureau ‘confident’ it can process extra teacher applications

The Garda National Vetting Bureau said it is “ confident ” it can quickly process several hundred applications for additional teachers to be hired under a Government plan .
The €375 million financial support package to reopen schools during the coronavirus pandemic includes plans to hire an additional 1,080 secondary school teachers .
The extra teachers will allow schools to split larger classes if necessary to maintain physical distancing of one metre between pupils in classrooms .
The measures , announced on Monday by the Government , also include funding for schools to carry out minor works to reconfigure classrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , a Garda spokesman said the vetting bureau had been in discussions with the Department of Education “ in relation to this planned increase of applications for personnel to work in schools ” .
The current turnaround time for vetting applications is approximately three to four days , the spokesman said .
The Garda vetting bureau is “ ready , willing and confident that it will process the expected increase in vetting applications from this sector at short notice , ” he said .
Speaking on Monday , Minister for Education Norma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a very fast turnaround of Garda vetting , ” and no employees would be on school grounds “ unless they have been Garda vetted ” .
The Government is to unveil a recruitment campaign for secondary school teachers , including a targeted effort to recruit some of the 2,000 teachers registered with the Teaching Council but not currently working in education .
Department officials also believe the pandemic may have led to some teachers on career breaks abroad returning to Ireland , and that they may now be encouraged to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s financial package included €41.2 million to fund substitute staff in primary schools , in part to cover teachers unable to work after developing coronavirus symptoms .
There will be panels of substitute primary school teachers given year-long contracts who will be available to work on short notice .

The Garda National Vetting Bureau said it has "no concerns" about its ability to handle quickly hundreds of applications for extra teachers, substitute teachers and special needs assistants ahead of the return of the schools.
Currently, 163 officials handle applications at the Thurles, Co Tipperary-based bureau, though 97 per cent of all cases are now lodged using the bureau’s e-vetting system.
Saying that it is “ready, willing and confident” that it can deal with the surge, the bureau said e-applications are now dealt with in just five working days for 85 per cent of applications received.
“Our current turnaround time is approximately three to four working days with most applications being returned in the same working day,” gardaí told The Irish Times.
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So far this year, the bureau has received just a dozen paper vetting applications, taking four weeks each for processing. The Garda Síochána told The Irish Times: “There is no backlog for paper or e-vetting applications.”
E-vetting has accelerated applications, since organisations can “electronically submit, check and securely retrieve vetting disclosures”, while individuals are able easily to “complete, submit and track the status” of their own cases.
Speaking on Monday, Minister for Education Norma Foley said she was confident "there will be a very fast turnaround of Garda vetting", and no employees would be on school grounds "unless they have been vetted".
Recruitment campaign
The Government is to unveil a recruitment campaign for secondary school teachers, particularly some of the 2,000 teachers registered with the Teaching Council but not currently working in teaching.
The head of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, Diarmaid de Paor, called on the Department of Education to ensure that vetting for available teachers is prioritised.
Under the Government’s plan, 1,080 extra secondary teachers will be hired, including 120 career guidance teachers – 600 posts will be made available initially, while the rest will be hired to plug gaps in schools struggling to cope.
Nearly €85 million will be spent to employ replacement teaching staff, special needs assistants and administrative staff, needed to fill gaps left by teachers who are advised to cocoon. Primary schools will get €41.2 million to hire substitute staff.
The majority of extra teachers needed in September will already have fulfilled Garda vetting requirements, but each school, nevertheless, is required to lodge an application for each individual they expect to be on its grounds.
“There will undoubtedly be difficulties in sourcing the required number of teachers and substitutes that are going to be needed when schools reopen,” said Mr de Paor.
Equally, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said the fact that “a lot of the teachers, in order to be registered with the teaching council, are already Garda vetted” should accelerate the paperwork.
“We will obviously need more teachers, but there is a system in place for teachers coming through the colleges of education, that they are Garda vetted and their Teaching Council registration is [completed] over the summer.
“Teachers who have been working in a substitute capacity prior to this would already be Garda vetted, and it’s a requirement for a teacher to be registered,” it said, adding that those registered with the Teaching Council are vetted, too.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Scientists reveal explosive secret beneath seemingly trustworthy volcanoes

Some volcanoes are plain boring with a predictable pattern of activity over millions of years ; others are more explosive and unpredictable .
Scientists have discovered why this is the case , and the circumstances whereby the quieter volcano can change into an angry eruptor .
This is the result of research by a team of volcanologists working on remote islands in the Galápagos Archipelago off South America .
It has found “ volcanoes which reliably produce small basaltic lava eruptions hide chemically diverse magmas ” – hot fluid or semi-fluid material below or within the earth ’ s crust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – in their underground plumbing systems , including some with potential to generate explosive activity .
The research , led by Dr Michael Stock in Trinity College Dublin , will better inform monitoring of volcanoes .
Many volcanoes produce similar types of eruption over millions of years .
Those in Iceland , Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands consistently erupt lava flows – comprised of molten basaltic rock – which form long rivers of fire down their flanks .
Although these lava flows are potentially damaging to nearby houses , they generally move at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same risk to life as larger explosive eruptions , like those at Vesuvius or Mount St Helens .
This long-term consistency in a volcano ’ s eruptive behaviour is critical to informing local authorities on hazard planning .
The research team including scientists from the US , UK and Ecuador , studied two Galápagos volcanoes , “ which have only erupted compositionally uniform basaltic lava flows at the Earth ’ s surface for their entire lifetimes ” .
By deciphering the compositions of microscopic crystals in the lavas , they were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of magmas stored underground beneath the volcanoes .
“ The results of the study show – in contrast with the monotonous basaltic lavas erupted at the Earth ’ s surface – magmas beneath the volcanoes are extremely diverse and include compositions similar to those erupted at Mount St Helens , ” Dr Stock explained .
Their research was published in Nature Communications on Tuesday .
They believe volcanoes consistently erupt compositionally uniform basaltic lavas when the amount of magma flushing through the ground beneath the edifice is high enough to “ overprint any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when volcanoes are located close to a “ hot spot ” ; a plume of hot magma rising towards the surface from deep within the Earth .
However , the chemically-diverse magmas which the team discovered could become mobile and ascend towards the surface under certain circumstances .
“ In this case , volcanoes that have reliably produced basaltic lava eruptions for millennia might undergo unexpected changes to more explosive activity in the future , ” he added .
“ This was really unexpected .
We started the study wanting to know why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process caused the erupted lava compositions to remain constant over long timescales .
Instead we found they aren ’ t boring at all – they just hide these secret magmas under the ground.
” Although there is no sign Galápagos volcanoes will undergo a transition in eruption style any time soon , their results show why other volcanoes might have changed eruptive behaviour in the past .
“ Just because they ’ ve always erupted a particular way in the past doesn ’ t mean you can rely on them to continue doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dr Stock noted .
Co-author Dr Benjamin Bernard of Instituto Geofísico in Ecuador , added : “ This discovery is a game-changer because it allows us to reconcile apparently divergent observations , such as the presence of explosive deposits at several Galápagos volcanoes .
It also allows us to better understand the behaviour of these volcanoes , which is essential for volcano monitoring and hazard assessment .
”

Some volcanoes are plain boring with a predictable pattern of activity over millions of years; others are more explosive and unpredictable.
Scientists have discovered why this is the case, and the circumstances whereby the quieter volcano can change into an angry eruptor.
This is the result of research by a team of volcanologists working on remote islands in the Galápagos Archipelago off South America.
It has found “volcanoes which reliably produce small basaltic lava eruptions hide chemically diverse magmas” – hot fluid or semi-fluid material below or within the earth’s crust from which lava is formed on cooling – in their underground plumbing systems, including some with potential to generate explosive activity.
READ MORE
The research, led by Dr Michael Stock in Trinity College Dublin, will better inform monitoring of volcanoes.
Many volcanoes produce similar types of eruption over millions of years. Those in Iceland, Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands consistently erupt lava flows – comprised of molten basaltic rock – which form long rivers of fire down their flanks.
Although these lava flows are potentially damaging to nearby houses, they generally move at a walking pace and do not pose the same risk to life as larger explosive eruptions, like those at Vesuvius or Mount St Helens. This long-term consistency in a volcano’s eruptive behaviour is critical to informing local authorities on hazard planning.
The research team including scientists from the US, UK and Ecuador, studied two Galápagos volcanoes, "which have only erupted compositionally uniform basaltic lava flows at the Earth's surface for their entire lifetimes".
The research team collects samples from solidified lava flows on Wolf Volcano with assistance from a Galápagos National Park ranger. Photograph: Dr Benjamin Bernar
By deciphering the compositions of microscopic crystals in the lavas, they were able to reconstruct the chemical and physical characteristics of magmas stored underground beneath the volcanoes.
“The results of the study show – in contrast with the monotonous basaltic lavas erupted at the Earth’s surface – magmas beneath the volcanoes are extremely diverse and include compositions similar to those erupted at Mount St Helens,” Dr Stock explained. Their research was published in Nature Communications on Tuesday.
They believe volcanoes consistently erupt compositionally uniform basaltic lavas when the amount of magma flushing through the ground beneath the edifice is high enough to “overprint any chemical diversity”. This can occur when volcanoes are located close to a “hot spot”; a plume of hot magma rising towards the surface from deep within the Earth.
However, the chemically-diverse magmas which the team discovered could become mobile and ascend towards the surface under certain circumstances.
“In this case, volcanoes that have reliably produced basaltic lava eruptions for millennia might undergo unexpected changes to more explosive activity in the future,” he added.
“This was really unexpected. We started the study wanting to know why these volcanoes were so boring and what process caused the erupted lava compositions to remain constant over long timescales. Instead we found they aren’t boring at all – they just hide these secret magmas under the ground.”
Although there is no sign Galápagos volcanoes will undergo a transition in eruption style any time soon, their results show why other volcanoes might have changed eruptive behaviour in the past.
“Just because they’ve always erupted a particular way in the past doesn’t mean you can rely on them to continue doing the same thing indefinitely into the future,” Dr Stock noted.
Co-author Dr Benjamin Bernard of Instituto Geofísico in Ecuador, added: "This discovery is a game-changer because it allows us to reconcile apparently divergent observations, such as the presence of explosive deposits at several Galápagos volcanoes. It also allows us to better understand the behaviour of these volcanoes, which is essential for volcano monitoring and hazard assessment."


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Coronavirus: Bubbles, capsules, masks – how schools are reopening around the world

Schools all over the world closed their classrooms and sent children home in the early days of the pandemic .
Many have returned , many are preparing to .
Here is what we know about some of those schools that have already tried reopening , and others like Ireland who are preparing to .
Pupils in the United Kingdom are preparing to return to some kind of classroom normality in September .
Under the terms of a government strategy , if there is a suspected outbreak in a school ( defined by two or more confirmed cases within 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected coronavirus sickness absence , teachers will liaise with local health teams .
Response planning , as reported by the BBC , includes the potential for mobile testing units that would focus on the specific class , and then possibly on the year or even the whole school if necessary .
However , although a large number of pupils may be asked to self-isolate at home , the closure of an entire school , according to the government , “ will not generally be necessary ” .
Classes will operate in separate “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups rather than practising social distancing .
Other measures include strict hand-washing , cleaning and testing policies .
Unnecessary sharing of school resources such as books is to be avoided .
But authorities are determined to get back to normal .
According to the Financial Times , education secretary Gavin Williamson said children would not face a “ watered-down curriculum ” .
“ It is going to be a full and total curriculum that is going to be delivered for our children across all subjects , ” he said .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we see vital subjects cut out of children ’ s education.
” Previously , schools in the United Kingdom were closed to anyone but children of essential workers .
Denmark has been held as an exemplar of reopening since it gradually allowed children to return in April .
At first this was on a staggered basis : initially early childhood and primary schools opened , followed in May by secondary schools .
Classes , averaging about 20 pupils , were cut in half and often held outside .
“ You can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of schools , ” Peter Andersen , doctor of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention at the Danish Serum Institute , told Reuters shortly afterwards .
As outlined by the Brookings Institution , a detailed approach was mapped out .
This included stipulations that students must be seated at tables at least two metres apart ; students must wash their hands every two hours ; and materials had to be cleaned twice a day .
In some cases , it said , hours were reduced ; parents were not allowed inside and had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and additional toilet facilities were fitted .
Face masks were not mandatory .
The approach was successful – at least so far .
The Guardian reported the Danish R number - which measures the rate of infection - rose briefly in the two weeks after pupils up to the age of 11 returned , creeping up from 0.7 to 0.9 , but later fell back again .
While teachers expressed some concern about an increase in work hours as a result of the measures , ongoing consultation with unions was flagged as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions , we were taken so much into account , and we were consulted so much that we felt quite safe about this , ” Dorte Lange , vice-president of the Danish Union of Teachers , told the Guardian .
“ We said to our members that we think that we can actually trust the authorities and that it will be ok to go back.
” Israel may have jumped too quickly .
Originally praised for its early crack down on infection spread , the reopening of its schools in May did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure , the government brought in a staggered approach , operated differently in different areas and with the use of “ capsules ” .
According to the Times of Israel , hygiene rules such as washing hands were enforced , and every pupil had to be certified healthy on return .
Children were all required to wear face coverings during recess in open areas .
Older children had to wear them in class , and windows remained open .
However , a heat wave led to difficulties in maintaining the blanket imposition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government decided to open the entire system all at once on May 17th .
What happened next was entirely predictable , ” Hagai Levine , an epidemiologist and chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians , told the Daily Beast .
It reported that , two weeks after schools opened , more than 244 students and staff tested positive for Covid-19 .
In the first two weeks of July , 393 kindergartens and schools closed due to cases .
In early July , Israel ’ s top public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her frustration at how the government was handling the pandemic , noting reopening of schools among her concerns .
Among the worst-hit countries , Spain ’ s experience with the virus was keenly watched by its European neighbours .
Its efforts to get school children fully back to learning in September will also be closely monitored .
Schools in the country were partially reopened from May 26th , but this was specifically to allow for revision classes and state exams .
According to the El País newspaper , about 8.2 million schoolchildren were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shut down in March .
By the beginning of June , a gradual return to schools began to creep in .
Reuters reported some schools in Madrid reopened for primary pupils , as did others for senior students preparing for university-entrance exams .
Other regions were allowing different age groups to return , it said .
Guidelines issued by the Spanish government will mean smaller class sizes , more hygiene measures , and face masks in situations where safety distances can not be observed .
Crucially , given the challenge of reorganising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities decided to reduce the required distance between students from two metres to 1.5 metres .
Groups of up to 20 children ( with 15 declared the “ ideal ” number ) will be allowed in early education settings and for students in the first four years of primary school .
Children up to 10 years may “ socialise without maintaining a strict personal distance ” but will mix as little as possible with other students .
Face masks are not compulsory for that younger age cohort .
Older children will be asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to keep a distance of 1.5 metres , but not when at their desks .
Classroom windows must remain open for as long as possible .
The focus on returning to school is underscored , as in other countries , by the belief remote working is not suitable for many students , particularly those in low-income families .
France ’ s education minister , Jean-Michel Blanquer , called the effects of Covid-19 on schools “ a worldwide educational catastrophe ” , a view that encapsulated the determination of authorities to get children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-May , accompanied by the expected health guidelines on hygiene and social distancing .
In some cases attendance in schools was reduced to as little as a day and a half per week .
According to the BBC , by May 24th , one in five primary school pupils had returned to class , mainly those from wealthier families .
The education ministry issued 56 pages of detailed instructions on how to keep schools clean and pupils safe .
Rules stipulated there be no more than 15 children per class , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
Children over the age of 11 were told to wear masks .
For the last two weeks of June the French government required 100 per cent attendance while at the same time a poll in Le Figaro showed 55 per cent of parents were reluctant to send children back .
The education ministry estimated about 80 per cent returned .
EuroNews reported that toward the end of June physical distancing measures had been relaxed and the rules around the maximum number of students in a class were scrapped .
A one-metre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
By comparison to other countries , Japan took a very cautious approach to restarting its education system .
After the lifting of a state of emergency in most of the country last May , the Japan Times reported on pupils trickling back to classrooms amid a variety of safety measures including the avoidance of overcrowding , shortened school hours , and the widespread use of face masks .
Photographs emerged of young children behind plastic faceguards .
Despite a determination to avoid outbreaks , the measures were not always popular .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ students may begin to dislike the experience of attending school , while online commentary included claims from pupils that “ lunch is not fun because conversations are banned ” , as was “ play during recess ” .
According to the Asahi Shimbun daily , teachers were taking “ exhaustive measures to protect the children from the virus while helping them catch up on their studies and caring for their emotional needs ” .
It reported that just half of first-graders , third-graders and fifth-graders attended school on June 1st as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classrooms .
Uruguay was the first country in Latin America to fully reopen its school system , opting for a slow , phased approach spreading through various parts of the country .
In April , according to the Inter-American Development Bank , rural educational centres opened first , a move that would gradually spread to urban areas .
Of the first schools to return , El Observador reported that 973 in the interior of the country , less affected by Covid-19 , began to welcome back pupils from April 22nd .
Attendance was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , face-to-face classes in schools and high schools began in almost the entire country .
According to the Infobae service , students from public and private schools in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area began to return from the end of June .
At that final stage , and although the return to classes was voluntary , authorities expected more than a quarter of a million students across all levels of education to return to school settings .
Among the measures put in place were guidelines for social distancing , a questionnaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adolescents , the use of face masks , and preparation on what to do if a case of Covid-19 appeared in a school .
Canadian officials have been examining a dual return to education approach – part classroom , part remote .
In Ontario , the country ’ s most populous province , Reuters reported the provincial government has also asked schools to prepare an online-only approach with a final decision only expected in August .
Some Quebec elementary schools reopened in May , while British Columbia reopened some schools in late March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the beginning of March it reopened schools to all students on a reduced basis .
Most of the country ’ s provinces are working on screening and social distancing guidelines for next term .
For many teachers , however , a lack of planning continues to cause anxiety .
“ The fear is me going back into the schools surrounded by kids without a solid plan and then coming home .
.
.
it ’ s scary .
It ’ s nerve racking , ” art teacher Kirsten Diachidos told Canadian TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many teachers say they still do not know what the structure of their classes will be .
Provincial governments and school boards across the country are still developing guidelines on how best to reopen , CTV has reported .
Some are considering the hybrid system where half of students attend for part of the week and the other half for the other – a one-week-on , one-week-off approach .

Schools all over the world closed their classrooms and sent children home in the early days of the pandemic. Many have returned, many are preparing to. Here is what we know about some of those schools that have already tried reopening, and others like Ireland who are preparing to.
UK
Pupils in the United Kingdom are preparing to return to some kind of classroom normality in September.
Under the terms of a government strategy, if there is a suspected outbreak in a school (defined by two or more confirmed cases within 14 days) or even an overall rise in suspected coronavirus sickness absence, teachers will liaise with local health teams.
Response planning, as reported by the BBC, includes the potential for mobile testing units that would focus on the specific class, and then possibly on the year or even the whole school if necessary.
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However, although a large number of pupils may be asked to self-isolate at home, the closure of an entire school, according to the government, “will not generally be necessary”.
Classes will operate in separate “protective bubbles” of class or year groups rather than practising social distancing. Other measures include strict hand-washing, cleaning and testing policies. Unnecessary sharing of school resources such as books is to be avoided.
But authorities are determined to get back to normal. According to the Financial Times, education secretary Gavin Williamson said children would not face a "watered-down curriculum".
“It is going to be a full and total curriculum that is going to be delivered for our children across all subjects,” he said. “We are not going to be in a situation where we see vital subjects cut out of children’s education.”
Previously, schools in the United Kingdom were closed to anyone but children of essential workers.
A teacher distributes individual student stationary packs ahead of the return of students to a school in London. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Denmark
Denmark has been held as an exemplar of reopening since it gradually allowed children to return in April.
At first this was on a staggered basis: initially early childhood and primary schools opened, followed in May by secondary schools. Classes, averaging about 20 pupils, were cut in half and often held outside.
"You cannot see any negative effects from the reopening of schools," Peter Andersen, doctor of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention at the Danish Serum Institute, told Reuters shortly afterwards.
As outlined by the Brookings Institution, a detailed approach was mapped out. This included stipulations that students must be seated at tables at least two metres apart; students must wash their hands every two hours; and materials had to be cleaned twice a day.
In some cases, it said, hours were reduced; parents were not allowed inside and had to drop off students on staggered times; and additional toilet facilities were fitted. Face masks were not mandatory.
The approach was successful – at least so far. The Guardian reported the Danish R number - which measures the rate of infection - rose briefly in the two weeks after pupils up to the age of 11 returned, creeping up from 0.7 to 0.9, but later fell back again.
While teachers expressed some concern about an increase in work hours as a result of the measures, ongoing consultation with unions was flagged as a part of the success.
"As unions, we were taken so much into account, and we were consulted so much that we felt quite safe about this," Dorte Lange, vice-president of the Danish Union of Teachers, told the Guardian.
“We said to our members that we think that we can actually trust the authorities and that it will be ok to go back.”
Primary school children sit at desks spaced about two yards apart, in Logumkloster, Denmark. Photograph: Emile Ducke/The New York Times
Israel
Israel may have jumped too quickly. Originally praised for its early crack down on infection spread, the reopening of its schools in May did not go well.
After two months of closure, the government brought in a staggered approach, operated differently in different areas and with the use of “capsules”.
According to the Times of Israel, hygiene rules such as washing hands were enforced, and every pupil had to be certified healthy on return.
Children were all required to wear face coverings during recess in open areas. Older children had to wear them in class, and windows remained open.
However, a heat wave led to difficulties in maintaining the blanket imposition of masks.
"Contrary to our advice, the government decided to open the entire system all at once on May 17th. What happened next was entirely predictable," Hagai Levine, an epidemiologist and chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, told the Daily Beast.
It reported that, two weeks after schools opened, more than 244 students and staff tested positive for Covid-19. In the first two weeks of July, 393 kindergartens and schools closed due to cases.
In early July, Israel’s top public health official, Siegal Sadetzki, resigned over her frustration at how the government was handling the pandemic, noting reopening of schools among her concerns.
Spain
Among the worst-hit countries, Spain’s experience with the virus was keenly watched by its European neighbours. Its efforts to get school children fully back to learning in September will also be closely monitored.
Schools in the country were partially reopened from May 26th, but this was specifically to allow for revision classes and state exams.
According to the El País newspaper, about 8.2 million schoolchildren were doing their lessons from home since classrooms were shut down in March.
By the beginning of June, a gradual return to schools began to creep in. Reuters reported some schools in Madrid reopened for primary pupils, as did others for senior students preparing for university-entrance exams. Other regions were allowing different age groups to return, it said.
Guidelines issued by the Spanish government will mean smaller class sizes, more hygiene measures, and face masks in situations where safety distances cannot be observed.
Crucially, given the challenge of reorganising classrooms and other space, the Spanish authorities decided to reduce the required distance between students from two metres to 1.5 metres.
Groups of up to 20 children (with 15 declared the “ideal” number) will be allowed in early education settings and for students in the first four years of primary school.
Children up to 10 years may “socialise without maintaining a strict personal distance” but will mix as little as possible with other students. Face masks are not compulsory for that younger age cohort.
Older children will be asked to wear masks when it is not possible to keep a distance of 1.5 metres, but not when at their desks. Classroom windows must remain open for as long as possible.
The focus on returning to school is underscored, as in other countries, by the belief remote working is not suitable for many students, particularly those in low-income families.
France
France’s education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, called the effects of Covid-19 on schools “a worldwide educational catastrophe”, a view that encapsulated the determination of authorities to get children back into classrooms.
That process began in mid-May, accompanied by the expected health guidelines on hygiene and social distancing. In some cases attendance in schools was reduced to as little as a day and a half per week.
According to the BBC, by May 24th, one in five primary school pupils had returned to class, mainly those from wealthier families.
The education ministry issued 56 pages of detailed instructions on how to keep schools clean and pupils safe. Rules stipulated there be no more than 15 children per class, no shared toys, and timed arrivals at school. Children over the age of 11 were told to wear masks.
For the last two weeks of June the French government required 100 per cent attendance while at the same time a poll in Le Figaro showed 55 per cent of parents were reluctant to send children back. The education ministry estimated about 80 per cent returned.
EuroNews reported that toward the end of June physical distancing measures had been relaxed and the rules around the maximum number of students in a class were scrapped. A one-metre social distancing requirement was recommended in primary schools.
Children attend class while practising social distancing in France, May 25th. Photograph: Epa/Ian Langsdon
Japan
By comparison to other countries, Japan took a very cautious approach to restarting its education system.
After the lifting of a state of emergency in most of the country last May, the Japan Times reported on pupils trickling back to classrooms amid a variety of safety measures including the avoidance of overcrowding, shortened school hours, and the widespread use of face masks. Photographs emerged of young children behind plastic faceguards.
Despite a determination to avoid outbreaks, the measures were not always popular. The newspaper reported concern among experts that students may begin to dislike the experience of attending school, while online commentary included claims from pupils that “lunch is not fun because conversations are banned”, as was “play during recess”.
According to the Asahi Shimbun daily, teachers were taking "exhaustive measures to protect the children from the virus while helping them catch up on their studies and caring for their emotional needs".
It reported that just half of first-graders, third-graders and fifth-graders attended school on June 1st as part of a staggered system designed to avoid packed classrooms.
Uruguay
Uruguay was the first country in Latin America to fully reopen its school system, opting for a slow, phased approach spreading through various parts of the country.
In April, according to the Inter-American Development Bank, rural educational centres opened first, a move that would gradually spread to urban areas.
Of the first schools to return, El Observador reported that 973 in the interior of the country, less affected by Covid-19, began to welcome back pupils from April 22nd. Attendance was voluntary.
Later, on June 1st, face-to-face classes in schools and high schools began in almost the entire country.
According to the Infobae service, students from public and private schools in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area began to return from the end of June.
At that final stage, and although the return to classes was voluntary, authorities expected more than a quarter of a million students across all levels of education to return to school settings.
Among the measures put in place were guidelines for social distancing, a questionnaire about possible symptoms distributed to children and adolescents, the use of face masks, and preparation on what to do if a case of Covid-19 appeared in a school.
Picture of desks with acrylic shields put as a preventive measure against the spread of Covid-19 at a Motolinia school classroom in Mexico City. Photograph: Pedro PARDO/AFP/Getty Images
Canada
Canadian officials have been examining a dual return to education approach – part classroom, part remote.
In Ontario, the country’s most populous province, Reuters reported the provincial government has also asked schools to prepare an online-only approach with a final decision only expected in August.
Some Quebec elementary schools reopened in May, while British Columbia reopened some schools in late March for the children of essential workers. At the beginning of March it reopened schools to all students on a reduced basis.
Most of the country’s provinces are working on screening and social distancing guidelines for next term.
For many teachers, however, a lack of planning continues to cause anxiety.
"The fear is me going back into the schools surrounded by kids without a solid plan and then coming home . . . it's scary. It's nerve racking," art teacher Kirsten Diachidos told Canadian TV in July.
With September fast approaching, many teachers say they still do not know what the structure of their classes will be.
Provincial governments and school boards across the country are still developing guidelines on how best to reopen, CTV has reported.
Some are considering the hybrid system where half of students attend for part of the week and the other half for the other – a one-week-on, one-week-off approach.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Young Dublin man dies after being hit by car while holidaying in Spain

An Irishman in his early 20s died when he was hit by a car while on a night out with his friends in the Costa del Sol resort of Marbella .
Josh Begley-Taylor died in the early hours of Monday after the incident in which at least one other of his friends was badly injured , suffering a broken leg .
A coachman who took the young man and his friends on a horse and carriage tour of the town just hours before his death said the group had been in great spirits and seemed like decent young men .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer due to coronavirus travel restrictions .
Mr Begley-Taylor posted a video on Instagram at around midnight on Sunday of his friends taking the horse-drawn coach tour around Marbella .
It was some time after that that Mr Begley-Taylor , who was a graduate of Saint Mary ’ s School in Rathmines was hit by a car , sources close to the family said .
Details are still sketchy as Marbella police have not yet commented on the incident .
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the drivers who took Mr Begley-Taylor and his friends on the horse-drawn coach tour said they hired two coaches for the 30-minute tour .
“ It was around 9pm ( on Monday ) just as it was getting dark , ” said José Jimenez Zamora .
“ They were all behaving well and having fun .
There were three men in my coach and three more men in the coach behind .
There were no problems at all.
” It is not yet clear where the young men went after their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marbella ’ s picturesque old town , but at some point later that night Mr Begley-Taylor was hit by a car and died of his injuries .

Foreign holidaymakers are few in Marbella this summer due to coronavirus travel restrictions. File photograph: Solarpix.com
An Irishman in his early 20s died when he was hit by a car while on a night out with his friends in the Costa del Sol resort of Marbella.
Josh Begley-Taylor died in the early hours of Monday after the incident in which at least one other of his friends was badly injured, suffering a broken leg.
A coachman who took the young man and his friends on a horse and carriage tour of the town just hours before his death said the group had been in great spirits and seemed like decent young men.
Foreign holidaymakers are few in Marbella this summer due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
READ MORE
Mr Begley-Taylor posted a video on Instagram at around midnight on Sunday of his friends taking the horse-drawn coach tour around Marbella.
It was some time after that that Mr Begley-Taylor, who was a graduate of Saint Mary's School in Rathmines was hit by a car, sources close to the family said.
Details are still sketchy as Marbella police have not yet commented on the incident.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the death and that consular officials were providing assistance.
One of the drivers who took Mr Begley-Taylor and his friends on the horse-drawn coach tour said they hired two coaches for the 30-minute tour.
“It was around 9pm (on Monday) just as it was getting dark,” said José Jimenez Zamora.
“They were all behaving well and having fun. There were three men in my coach and three more men in the coach behind. There were no problems at all.”
It is not yet clear where the young men went after their tour, which includes a visit to Marbella’s picturesque old town, but at some point later that night Mr Begley-Taylor was hit by a car and died of his injuries.