@dublinsnap: oh you are so right

@Vladimir Macro: and I’ll add to that. Do you know why they are calling a second lockdown a “circuit breaker”?

If you haven’t considered why then you deserve to stay locked up.

@Paul Lanigan: such tinfoilery

@Quoka: seriously laughing at that statement and cannot genuinely take it seriously lol

@Paul Lanigan: I said I’d reply to your Trump like comment as no one else had and I didn’t want you to feel left out.

@Paul Lanigan: People who park on double yellow lines, speed, drink drive, evade taxes know what to do too and don’t want to be told by their overlords. Society needs structure to protect it from selfish people who dont care.

@Paul Lanigan: you probably believe the earth is flat as well.

@Quoka: the whole nation of Sweden must have a low IQ too along with the whole continent of Africa.

Bless you.

@Vladimir Macro: nearly 100% of Swedes abide by guidelines. Ergo no need for a big stick. Unlike Ireland. And the percentage of Africans wearing masks is higher than here too

@Vladimir Macro: much younger population for starters better health care etc etc but don’t let the facts get in the way.. such a simple bunch

@Vladimir Macro: The “circuit breaker” term is just branding. The masses are growing weary and they are trying to frame it as a new thing.

@Vladimir Macro: That you could make that leap and offer such a specious track of reasoning as a response to what I said is telling, Vlad.

@Richard Reynolds: seriously go for a nap.

@dublinsnap: Still gotta sit in traffic for hours tho! Our backward looking mentality is working well as ever.

@Paul Lanigan: You are still being told what to do , when you are reading data. Johnny Bananas and Co have co signed alot of anti mask propaganda lately.

@Paul Lanigan: anti maskers try so hard to deliver their conspiracy theory message but really they are the real sheep following a right wing gathering of loyalists and r wing brits who don’t have any medical background

@Paul Lanigan:
Saw the anti-maskers out the last day… No Einsteins in that group…

@Quoka: let me guess. Your one of those ppl who think they’re ‘woke’ with an iQ of 1000. Keep watching the tv for your info.

@Vladimir Macro: Childish. Or you skipped your medication this morning?

@Damian Mac An Bháird: I misinterpreted the aunty mask protest last week and went dresses as a woman with a mask on.

@Paul Lanigan: or a minority that don’t give a toss about does around them!

@Paul Lanigan:
They choose to be told what to think and what to do by more shadowy overlords instead.

@Terry McSweeney: ah ya gotta laugh

@Quoka: In the land of the blind the one eyed is Fuerher.

@Vladimir Macro: I’ve been to Sweden. Ultra Low population density. Swedes are more distant than the friendly Irish. Swedes generally are more moderate drinkers. And, Swedes naturally follow rules (a bit like Germans). Irish people don’t follow rules like they do.

@Paul Lanigan: Overlords, please explain. One who the Overlords? What makes the minority so clever and why do they hide it so well, when being interviewed or at their events.

@Vladimir Macro: Please tell us why. Please

@Vladimir Macro: A higher infection rate a higher death rate and a higher rate of people social distancing and following the rules in place. Plus a much lower population density.

@Damian Moylan: You are spot on there Damien.

@Paul Lanigan: yes people do need need to be told what to do during a global pandemic. It’s called management .

@Damian Mac An Bháird: Keep guessing, Damian. As you know, guesswork is the foundation of all rational conclusion.

@Vladimir Macro: Why is it all the educated people see this for what it is, a natural pandemic that is killing people and therefore are happy to follow advice and guidelines and then it’s just the poorly educated crying “sheep”, “conspiracy”, “control” etc? Is it because they simply cannot comprehend what a pandemic is, how virus spreads and how to adapt by following the guidelines so would rather give into their fear of the unknown the only sensible way they know how, by believing some crack pot or crack pots on the Internet who are playing on their fears and presenting easy to understand information which is presented as “fact” and could almost be believable to those lacking higher education?

@Quoka: is that according to people with an IQ of 86?

@Paul Lanigan: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

@Quoka: yep u sound like one alright

@Vladimir Macro: stop spreading your cow poop. You and your like is why we need a circuit breaker.

@Paul Lanigan: read the data….dont make me laugh…not a brain cell amongst the anti masks

@Trevor Connolly: No they don’t. Advised yes. We are not a dictatorship……at least not yet.

@Diarmuid: it is

@Paul Lanigan: so the minority don’t wear seatbelts while driving? Free thinkers and all that.

@Vladimir Macro: Oh now that you mention Africa – it seems that many if not most of Africa, apart from the north and south, may carry immunity to the effects of covid-19 and that many antibody tests show high levels while death rates remain very low ( One of many sources: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/pandemic-appears-have-spared-africa-so-far-scientists-are-struggling-explain-why )

Sweden’s case rate in very low as they do not community test normally and contact tracing involves asking an infected person to “tell their mates” and their death rate is 1.5 times Ireland.

There are so many things that affect transmission such as community and social habits as well as different testing and death reporting criteria that it is somewhat unfair to compare any one country to another. One can go even further and say it is unfair to compare any one region with another.

One theory on the rise of cases is Europe is that as autumn approaches many outdoor activities move indoors.

@Paul Lanigan: cherry picking data is called confirmation bias, not thinking for yourself.

@Paul Lanigan: who ties your shoelaces?

@Paul Lanigan: If you had loved ones risking their health, working on the frontline in the health service your interpretation of the data would be different …

@Vladimir Macro: Excess deaths in Sweden has been way higher than most countries including Ireland.

@Anne Marie Devlin: the best example I could find was a supermarket in Little Bray Co. Dublin where the roads surrounding it are in Co. Wicklow and the house in Derry, Northern Ireland whose enterance gate is across the border in Donegal.

A 10km or 20km cross border distance should be allowed as well as very specific and clear definitions as to what travel is allowed. Also a trip from Youghal to Dursey island is about 200km which is just slightly less than a trip from Youghal to Dublin yet you have to leave your county to get to the northern roundabout at Youghal. More than cop on is needed if it becomes law.

@Anne Marie Devlin: agree

@Anne Marie Devlin: It won’t be forever and we all need to sacrifice the few things we usually don’t have to think twice about – and yes, a hefty fine will be a hard pill to swallow for some but it’s one way to maybe get that minority to cop on for the time it will take to get it under control. Personally I think alot of the fault are the millennials…before anyone bashes me for it, I’ve a son studying in dublin and of course they’ve met in groups of 6 but there’s been a number of variables of those 6′s groups. I don’t know how compliant they are collectively in wearing masks, social distancing but I’ve had arguments with him as a result of pics he’s sent me where they’ve been in group’s, no adherence to social distancing and not a mask in sight. I’d give him a kick in the backside if he was here. I’m hoping they’ll get tested before coming back to see us. I know they’re not the only ones not adhering to the common rules right now..possibly a broadcast showing the effects its had on people that have contracted it, all age groups…it may help to make those not taking it seriously to sit up and realise nobody’s invincible.

@Andre le Flohic: How come there is no data on supermarket breakouts?

Is it because its essential?

Start using your brain.

@Anne Marie Devlin: I agree that masks are clear cut, unless they have a doctor’s exemption there’s no valid reason for not wearing one.

Essential reasons for leaving your county is far more nuanced and the rule doesn’t make a huge amount of sense to begin with considering people who live beside borders. It should remain as advice, they’re creating a disaster for themselves if they’re going to try and enforce what is or isn’t “essential”.

@Laura Halpenny: laura we were told “it will only be for a few weeks” back in march and we ended in a 3.5 month lockdown. Most are following the rules. Why not put counties with big numbers in higher levels and or tackle the actual problem areas and try curb them.

@Anne Marie Devlin: Modern tech like zoom can be used for now re birthday parties and face timing friends/relatives. Jesus, missing a party’s not the end of the world. Re the hiking, you can always find somewhere close and within a county to walk…maybe not such a vertical height but who cares as long as it’s out in the fresh air.

@Niall Ó Cofaigh: In that case you would have to give proof of address at a Garda checkpoint and the Garda would then have to work out if you were within a certain radius of that. Completely unworkable. County boundaries are understood by everyone and practical to police

@Laura Halpenny: with that you’re going back to the way things were in march april may and part of June. That’s what’s driving people banannas. Imo there is no need to put all the country in level 5 restrictions and I thought that’s what the 5 stage plan was about. Put the counties where u see fit.

@Macca1986: how do we do that though? The areas with higher numbers should be contained I agree but it all happens too little too late. I totally understand where you’re coming from. My thoughts were that, when numbers started to rise nationally, we confine people strictly to their own house for a set time and with door food deliveries…I know that could have been near impossible and it possibly would have had to be registered online or something so that people’s food needs are catered for – medical needs too. There would have needed to be a huge amount of people required for this to be delivered – gardai, army etc but it may have been the answer, who knows. Also they didn’t take international travel into account, that should have ceased. Maybe I’m in la la land in my thoughts on the matter but as I say it was all too little too late.

@Thomas O’ Donnell: county boundaries are only marked on main roads so not necessarily understood by everyone. A person couldn’t be asked to give details every time if he has to travel a few km because he’s on the border and the nearest shop is over the border. Also a 5km radius allows roundabout travel of 30km and still be within 5km of your home.

@Niall Ó Cofaigh: agreed

@Laura Halpenny: realistically the 5 stage plan means nothing if you’re putting every county into the one level of restriction all the time

@Macca1986: The mask brigade are like turkeys voting for xmas!

This week has had the cops out setting up road blocks all week, making life harder for people to work or get to work. So if new laws are given to the gardai, they will be out in force making sure that they have sufficient numbers to PROVE to the mask brigade that it is working.

So what will happen with actual crime?
Where does the mask wearing stop? In public, or just retail?
What happens if it’s a child under 12 with no I’d to prove otherwise?

Gardai wont go after the heads that they know dont care about being hassled, they will gladly go to court, get free legal aid, and walk away scot free
It’s normal citizens who will get hit with these fines.

And how long will the new laws last?

Be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it and not like it!!!

@ed o brien: I dont know ed but I have a relative in Australia and they were struggling to curb problem areas, they have introduced heavy fines and it has largely solved the issue.

@Anne Marie Devlin: There are reasons to travel and they are very clear. Focusing on the medical health side is a cheap shot. That has been taken into account too.
Yes not seeing family members is one of the prices we have to pay due to people ignoring the rules.

@Vladimir Macro: Where else would you buy food, food is essential. Tin foil as well, I mean that is very essential.

@Anne Marie Devlin: why would you hold a hankies over your face if you don’t need to ? Because tv said you should ?

@Macca1986: oh I know..and when the gov saw the rate at which the virus was spreading across europe they should have put a plan in place, in the event it might reach ireland. We would have been spared this very frustrating and mentally tough time we have been going through for the last 7 months. I feel we all have been affected by it mentally, false hopes that we might be able to get back to some sort of normality.

@Thomas O’ Donnell:
still not addressed the issues such as Aldi (or is it Lidl) in Little Bray where the county boundary is also the car park boundary.

still not addressed the issue where your entrance gate is in one county and your home in another (or indeed another countrty)

still not addressed the issue were farm land or other property spans county or country

I know where Dublin ends and Wicklow begins on the Blessington road as the road surface changes, but I do not know every road in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains and where the county border lies.

Elsewhere I quoted where the people in Youghal could not use the Northern access road roandabout as the N25 crosses into Co. Waterford for about 200 meters prior to the Youghal Exit.

In another example access to Mt St Josephs Abbey Roscrea is from Roscrea but the Abbey is in Offaly so there would be no access to the school or abbey as the monastery gate in on the county (and provance) boundary.

So if people are supposed to stay in their own county some cannot even get out their garden gate, some cannot access 1/2 their farm land, some cannot access their back garden. It makes me wonder even if a county border running through anyone’s house.

What about New Ross and and Killaloe/Ballina – towns split by a count border?

I know these are the extremes but if you make a law confining people to their country all the above become illegal or else there needs to be exceptions…

@Anne Marie Devlin: in some ways I agree, I live in Louth, work in Dublin and the gym I go to is based near my work in Dublin, by the current guidelines (which I am adhering to) I’m unable to go to my gym but I can attend work where I come in contact with people who live in Dublin who also go to this gym. Fitness/mental health should class as essential

@David Corrigan: level 5 means only essential services will be open 5km rule so with L5 there will be no Xmas for many

@dublinsnap @D Mems: But that is not the end of the world is it? Buy presents early, stock up on food and drink and Xmas day will be like any other.

@David Corrigan: not if you can’t see your family. That’s what people have the issue with. It’s not whether or not you have loads of presents and beer.

@David Corrigan: if your family live within 5km in level 5 yea or 20k in level 4 otherwise it could be a very lonely Xmas for many

@D Mems: Are you saying that Christmas is more important than peoples lives or health?

@David Corrigan: without children being able to sit down with their grandparents or play with their cousins. But, sure we’ll just hand them a drink!

@David Corrigan: I won’t be able to get home for the FIRST TIME in 30 years if things don’t settle down. It was unpleasant travelling back in August and the numbers were much lower.

Keep in mind that we Irish diaspora spend a fair bit while we are there. I rent for the whole month of August and when I asked for a receipt 10 years ago I got a scribble on the back of an envelope. So, lot’s of pocketing of cash there for renters and spending on our part.

Before anyone goes there…I’m not based in the US. That whole ‘Gathering’ malarkey a few years back was a huge slap in the face to the rest of us as it was ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY targeted at the US.

I’ll stop now.

@Conor Egan: I think people are making a mountain out of a mole hill to be honest. This pandemic is not going to continue for ever or anything.

@David Connell: no one said that but if people don’t cop on an we move to 5 there will be no Xmas for many and it will be a lonely time. This Xmas will be the last for many old people like my parents and for them to be on their own the thought is heartbreaking

@David Corrigan: well we’ve just nearly had a year of it with no end in sight as of yet

@Anne Marie Devlin: It might only be for a few days for heavens sake.

@Anne Marie Devlin: Dutch Gold would make a grand stocking filler for any nipper

@David Corrigan: Xmas is one day so once it’s gone it’s gone for another year

@dublinsnap: @011Y: There is nothing you or I can do about that. We all need to follow the guidelines and make sacrifices until they find a solution to this problem.

@David Corrigan: they sure do love their drama

@D Mems: sure you will. You get in your car and visit them.

@Paul Lanigan: It seems that way.

@D Mems: Comical

@David Connell: as this will be the 1st Xmas without my father, who died of Covid, I’m not saying that, I was just explaining why some people may see Xmas being at risk from their perspective. Regardless, it will be a somewhat subdued household for some this year who have lost family to this virus.
Also, if we can control the numbers by following the rules now, lives and health will be saved and people can at least travel within the country for Xmas, not optimistic for international travel though

@D Mems: I’ll be visiting my family for Christmas regardless of restrictions or fines.

@dublinsnap: will be a few years of this. Anyone that thinks it’s magically gone by Xmas or even next year is spoofing themselves. It’s not going to go

@D Mems: and? Is there are downside???

@dublinsnap: what are you planning to do to your parents? Very ominous….

@Anne Marie Devlin: If we dont follow the rules their grandparents may not be around to celebrate.

@Paul Lanigan: Who loves what drama, the people who died, their families . The people who have long term and serious health issues. This is not being done for drama it is to stop people from getting seriously ill , developing long term serious health problems or dying.

@Justin Gillespie: sure that will be the next surge, lockdowns only kick the can down the road.

@D Mems: There is nothing and I mean nothing will stop me from visiting my grandchildren Christmas day. I do not know how many I will have left at my age. The fact of not seeing them would be more detrimental to my health then anything else. These restrictions are farcical and going to cause a lot of problems.

@David Corrigan: Because Santa is old and vulnerable and if there is a full lockdown, he cannot deliver the goods. If he even makes it too Xmas…

@Anne Marie Devlin: and rotating James Bond-style reg plates…

@Anna Anna: it’s the definition of “need” that’s the problem. Some people confuse this word with “want”. I’m sure many people may want to drive from Derry into Donegal but much less need to. I think if we all do our part over the next couple of weeks we can help to reduce hospital admissions and perhaps save some lives.

@GrumpyAulFella: we’ve been doing our bit for the past 7 months. Flatten the curve they told us. Now it’s divide and conquer.

@Franny Ando: We are in the middle of a pandemic or have you not noticed.

@Gary Kearney: what pandemic ? Need deaths for that to be the case. All cause death is same as any other year

@Anna Anna: At 200 euro per offence, I think your rule breaking wings will be well and truly clipped. We are in the greatest crisis since WW2, cop on.

@011Y: unfortunately those from lower income backgrounds are in a lot of cases less well educated and and a result more likely to believe the false info on Facebook etc. A graduated fine system isn’t necessary, its actually pointless as the whole idea is to scare people off breaking basic health and safety rules not to take money out of people’s pockets. If someone is thick or arrogant enough not to wear a mask then I can’t see why we should give them a lesser fine

@011Y: sounds like China

@Paul Lanigan: ok Karen

@011Y: follow the guidelines and they have absolutely nothing to worry about break the guideline Pay Up!

@Paul Lanigan: Not at all they had armed guards at the checkpoints and forcibly stopped people from travelling, stopped all public transport and took no reasons for travel to break the lockdown. So it a far way from China.