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A SLIGHT UPTICK in Covid-19 cases over the past number of days has caused a degree of concern among health officials, with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan warning that people ignoring guidelines are “putting progress at risk”.
Ireland is now over halfway through the six-week Level 5 lockdown that was put in place on 22 October. In that intervening period, the 14-day incidence rate has dropped by 50% overall and by a greater degree in some counties.
On Thursday, chair of NPHET’s modelling group Dr Philip Nolan said there was “significant continued improvement” in the number of Covid-19 cases.
The following day however NPHET reported 482 new cases of the virus, a daily increase in cases that Holohan said was “an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of this highly infectious disease”.
“We must not allow our success to date let us drop our guard against the spread of this disease,” he said.
But while NPHET may have hoped this reminder was a blip and nothing more, a further 456 cases and six deaths were reported on Saturday. This daily case total compared to the previous two Saturdays where 335 and 416 cases were confirmed.
The increase prompted Holohan into more serious commentary, noting that the five-day rolling average was now increasing once more and NPHET was now “concerned”.
“Analysis of today’s data shows the five-day moving average of case numbers has increased from 354 to 392. We have seen higher numbers in recent days than we expected based on the encouraging trends of the last three weeks. We are concerned that this progress is at risk. We have to remember that the virus is still very active in the community and we cannot let our guard slip,” he said.
Yesterday NPHET then reported 378 new cases of Covid-19, a figure lower than the previous two days but still on the upper end of the increased five-day average.
The figures prompted Holohan into saying that the increase in cases had “persisted for days”. This time however the CMO referenced two specific concerns, people gathering socially and for funerals.
Holohan had also mentioned funerals as being an issue last Thursday, noting that NPHET has seen reports of “wakes and other gatherings as well as the church part of funerals”.
His comments about socialising also came as video clips of people gathering on the streets in Dublin and Cork on Saturday evening were shared online and generated news coverage.
“The average daily five-day case count is rising and is now over 400 per day. This is a worrying development which has persisted for the last few days. We are seeing a number of things which concern us,” he said yesterday.
There are examples of small numbers of people congregating for social purposes and simply ignoring the important public health messages. They are putting our collective progress at risk.
“We are also seeing a number of outbreaks across the country. These include outbreaks in association with funerals. We understand that this is a difficult time for families but it is really important that we do everything we can to avoid the circumstances which promote transmission of the virus.”
The CMO also reiterated that people should work from home.
“There have also been outbreaks associated with workplace settings. As we head into a new working week, we need to stay at home other than for essential reasons and for personal exercise within 5km. Anyone who can work from home, should work from home.”
Complacency
With Holohan making specific reference to socialising and funerals as a potential source of outbreaks, NPHETs Dr Mary Favier today RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today that there has been a complacency about people’s adherence to guidelines.
“I think cases have been rising in the last number of days because I think there’s a certain both complacency and fatigue,” she said.
I think we’ve all thought we’re patting ourselves on the back should have done quite well. But I think there’s been a fraying around the edges. And we’ve seen cases where it’s social congregations out on the streets, whether it’s in workplaces, whether it’s around funerals. I think people are taking their own eye off the ball.
Favier also spoke about the upcoming Christmas period, saying that she has a particular concern about “how alcohol is used over the next few weeks” and the potential for people to “let down their guard”.
Speaking yesterday, Dr Gabriel Scally also said that “our experience with alcohol on Covid-19 is not a happy experience” and that we needed to be “extremely cautious” before considering whether pubs could reopen.
Speaking about the recent uptick in cases, Scally said Ireland is doing well compared to most of Europe but that the second wave has proven difficult to fight.
“I think the second wave has been much worse than most people have predicted in many countries, and is proving slightly more stubborn in terms of getting the numbers down,” he said.
“But I think that’s because many countries have left too late to act. I don’t think Ireland did. I think it’s come down very well in Ireland and everyone is to be congratulated for it. And I think NPHET have called it absolutely right along the way.”
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Phew, always feel guilt.. Not a sociopath.. Nice 1
Isn’t guilt a feeling just like hate is.
How can hate be felt so?
I’m confused, I’m going out to find a puppy to scowl at.
I agree. she “hated” her dad, but cant “love”? I call shenanigans! :p
With a sociopath hate isn’t actually the same emotion as what we consider hate.
For a sociopath relationships are about what they can take from it. It’s like they’re extremely selfish. They’re good at feigning emotions, because they have watched and learned from others throughout their whole lives – but sometimes their approach will be a little off kilter because they lack the depth of understanding because they do not feel them properly – their brains do not function in the same way.
So for the author of the book, her hating her father could simply be that she didn’t enjoy the way he treated her – there isn’t enough in the article to say why. But she may term something quite minor as hate, the same way she would term something major – such as abuse in the same way.
There’s a difference between being a b*tch and a psychopath, I should know as I’ve had one in my life, they have to be the centre of attention at all cost even by telling wildly outlandish lies. They are also bullies and your only as useful to them as an audience and as someone to massage their egos! There is only one way to deal with them and that’s cut them out of your life altogether, it might be drastic but the more they are around the more damage they cause!
I had the unfortunate experience of having one for a boss, a real nasty piece of work, he really got a kick out of seeing people reduced to tears by his control & he really exerted his power over his subirdinate
Subordinates. Its not nice to see grown adults reduced to tears & in fear from these types of bullies, & nice as pie to his superiors who thought the sun shined out of his arse. The work environment was unbearable & toxic, what with his bullying & then the little lick arses running after him all the time. He tried to move in on me, I told him to go f*uck himself, of course that gave him the ammo he needed to wield his mighty authority over me which resulted in me being sacked, which was fine with me.
Ah, a sadist as well. Push him down a flight of stairs and see if he reacts emotionally (Question #4). If he does, he’s just a sadist. If he doesn’t, then he’s probably a sociopath.
….. And you should run.
The good ole Catholic guilt takes care of that
The people who made you feel guilty are sociopaths. :-)
Guilt. The most powerful emotion in this country just piping the joint seconds of low self worth and shame. Thanks Church and colonial regime.
9/10 ain’t bad
Think of a politician. Then read the questions again. You’ll be surprised.
Isn’t it true that a higher proportion of politicians and businessmen are sociopaths/psychopaths? Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it means they can focus on the bigger picture rather than basing their policies on every sob story they hear.
Strange Killian but you might be right. I have worked for some ‘A’ types and I have to say they are very effective at their work. However their failings are often cataclysmic.
Absolutely, they can of course be very aggressive and manipulating but, forgive the cheesiness, they can work on the side of the angels.
Actually killian you’re both right and wrong. A very high percentage of directors and higher managerial staff are what would describe to be sociopaths or psychopaths. However they are not goo for company business as they are not pragmatic and able to see through the bull etc but are self serving and self driven. They aim to achieve their own personal goals and take undue risks with the business and staff relations.
Many American company’s have observed this and are attempting to weed out the existing sociopathic personality types amongst a their executive staff and more companies are employing psychologists in interviewing managerial staff not to weed out the weak but to identify and block the sociopaths.
A lot of former politicians and high stake businessmen/women who we know of being involved in crazy deals to further their own personal positions would display classic sociopathic traits including a complete lack of remorse or as we call it ‘a neck like a jockeys bollocks’
Very interesting ieoinu. My comments were just based on stuff I have heard but I don’t really know that much about it so I bow to your superior knowledge.
ieoinu. Your point is well made. And in general I agree. However it is not entirely correct that US companies are seeking to weed these people out. At least not all of them. Certain professions such as Law, Security, politics, are very much objective driven. Often an A type is ideal at least in the short term. In my experience they tend to be high achieving for at least 2 to 3 years before succumbing to the accumulation of their negative behaviour. But by that time they have served their purpose and are quietly ‘removed’. Still, I think its a bad business philosophy. Interesting all the same.
I agree, it very interesting as I think we can all identify someone that fits the criteria. Is it nature or nurture though? Are you born with a lack of empathy and self serving motivation or is it something you can acquire from gaining reward for surpassing your peers.
Ieoniu I think it might be a bit of both, a narcissistic parent, and life experiences from a very early age determine whether an individual is going to a psychopath, studies have shown that if you catch it early enough you may be able to change a child’s psychopathic behavior! The reason I say both is because some psychopaths are born into perfectly loving homes but still turn out this way and others learn from narcissistic or psychopathic parents themselves, there is usually a split in the parental relationship from a young age in the later example and some form of abuse, those kids also seem to be sexually active from a very early age and have ferocious tempers.
So thats 99.9% of Irish politicans then??
Sounds like the board of Anglo (I know, I am really sorry for bringing it up on this thread) but the taking huge risks that are self serving, no foresight, no compassion for the hardship inflicted upon others.. Following the release of the tapes it may be a safe presumption..
“criminally vindictive types whose only motivation is to take advantage of weaker people”
That accounts for 90% of the population.
Sounds more like our government.
Well, one thing sociopaths and psychopaths crave is power. Leadership roles are what they think they are here for, so it’s not unusual to have sociopaths run for office..
How good the population are at spotting them determines whether or not they get elected..
sounds just like my da, bloody knew something wasn’t right with him all these years
My ex through and through.freaked,eek!
what a bunch of silly questions
Im a sociopath. What next. Do I get a prize?
Jesus, I worked for a few of these freeks, wish I’d known and I’d have blown their fking heads off !
What about just asking “are you a sociopath”?
These are also ten questions which determine whether you are a teenager or not.
This is precisely why sociopathic personality disorder, antisocial behaviour disorder and psychopathy are not diagnosed until after 18, sometimes not until the 20s.
The only reason this would be ignored is if the child or teen seems to derive pleasure from harming animals or other people.
Three outa ten ain’t bad!
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