Covid 19 - LOI Ramifications

[sbgawa]

Its nothing to do with the actual costs of running off the championships for the GAA, its the lost gate reciepts which in relevant terms are a multiple of the loi gates and also the infrastructure staff and facilities maintenance the gate reciepts are suppposed to cover. Like most organisations the gaa costs habe increased to match revenue hence they need a bailout. I have beyond zero interest in GAA but their infrastructure is a multiple of ours

[Nesta99]

Yeah that makes sense, there are staffing as associated costs with infrastructure which I hadnt factored in tbh along with the loss of income budgeted for. I was thinking more that if €31mil was allocated to the GAA overall, how half of that is just to run the senior All Irelands though, as the bulk of costs would be policing, stewards etc. If the money was allocated for covid testing it would seem more balanced to me as a competition specific cost. What little I know about GAA these days its Louth specific so hardly an example of the broader picture, especially with Fitzers general BS and about the new County Ground being available to Dundalk FC which ''As Louth County chairman is guaranteed''...

[sbgawa]

I think its an allocatiob issue , its not that they need 15m to run off the championship its more that thats where the revenue is lost.

[Nesta99]

Well we are starting to get a picture of the timescale of vaccine rollout. Nothing major that isnt in the news already but its possible that by late February significant tranches of the population will be vaccinated. Licencing is to be approved on one vaccine provisionally by the 12th of January and Government has purchased nearly 900k dosages. Might be a little misleading as inocculation is likely to be in 2 doses 4 weeks apart. But that is for one vaccine with another 3 or 4 in the works and on a similar schedule. What would be sensible imo for LoI would be to push back the season start date in to March, ideally the end of that month. It would provde the best chance to have crowds back in full. In the mean time things are as you were - and dont let heads be turned by anti-vax stuff. The development time is unprecedented but so is the scrutiny on safety.

[Mr A]

There seems to be absolute determination to play a full season and that means a start around the normal time.

[sbgawa]

Well we are starting to get a picture of the timescale of vaccine rollout. Nothing major that isnt in the news already but its possible that by late February significant tranches of the population will be vaccinated. Licencing is to be approved on one vaccine provisionally by the 12th of January and Government has purchased nearly 900k dosages. Might be a little misleading as inocculation is likely to be in 2 doses 4 weeks apart. But that is for one vaccine with another 3 or 4 in the works and on a similar schedule. What would be sensible imo for LoI would be to push back the season start date in to March, ideally the end of that month. It would provde the best chance to have crowds back in full. In the mean time things are as you were - and dont let heads be turned by anti-vax stuff. The development time is unprecedented but so is the scrutiny on safety.

The Anti-vaxers are nut jobs but its amazing how many people listen to them.
I would'nt strongly disagree with your time line but personally i would push to start the league end of feb as the timelines on vaccinations may slip and then we would have calls to postpone the start of the league.
Get going again and if the first few matches are 500 or 1000 people as vaccinations have started it wouldn't be to bad.
Even behind doors i think we need to start again, there are to many people with small minds as was well and truly proven this year who would defer the start for as long as possible

[Yossarian]

There seems to be absolute determination to play a full season and that means a start around the normal time.

Surely it’s possible to play a full season but start it later and finish it later? I think the later it’s started then the more chance of getting crowds back at the start, even if it begins with reduced attendances.

[Mr A]

Issue raised with that was the further into winter you play the more likely it is that the finish is disrupted by weather.

[nigel-harps1954]

If we could even get 500 people in the grounds for the first month or two it would be a huge boost. I still think the start of February is a mad suggestion, and start of March would be a much more sensible option.

[passinginterest]

I think we might be overestimating the ability to vaccinate a significant enough portion of the population that quickly. It's a huge logistical problem in terms of actually delivering and administering the vaccine. It'll be front line health care staff first, then the elderly, but will that be enough to allow more general return to normality? It's more likely to be late 2021 early 2022 before we're close to widespread vaccination being completed. I'd image there's going to be at least some limitations in terms of crowds and gatherings for a large part of 2021.

[Nesta99]

I think if vulnerable groups get a vaccine the risk drops and so a more open society. Also safe guarding the health service so that it wont be overwhelmed due to absentee staff allows room to opent things up. The logisitics are an issue but plans are in place - the swabbing system will be adapted as the jab is a basic skill, pharmacies and GPs will also be used. Rolling out stock of the vaccine (Army are in plans to deliver stocks) could be an initial issue but that would be over days, and even if over weeks things could get back to normailty by spring 2021.

[sbgawa]

I guess long term the covid vacine will be included with the yearly flu jab for the vulnerable to take.
Up to individuals to decide then based on risk profile.
Big push now to get as many done as possible which makes sense just to knock it on the head regardless of your risk profile.
Just watch the anti vax nut jobs will be out with the scare stories, i had an eejit tell me the other night that he wouldn't take it because of the "thalidomide children".
I tried to explain to him that that was not a vaccination and was completely irrelevant to this situation....wasting my time , some people are just gob****es and there is no way around that.
I asked him how many people die of polio or whooping cough now compared to pre vacine ...again wasting my time, Donald Trump has a lot to answer for People just dont like FACTS anymore if they dont suit them.

[Nesta99]

I'm assuming it was a man, I hope ye pointed out that that he needn't worry about any risk to his pregnancy! There wont be any shortage of Darwin awards over this vaccine!

[sbgawa]

he was indeed an aul fella at no danger of getting pregnant :)
His attitude was if they got that wrong then they could get this wrong.
its genuinely a waste of time talking to anti vaxers.

[passinginterest]

I have to say, I'm very pro-vaccination and anti conspiracy theories, but I still wouldn't be in a mad rush to be at the front of the queue for the new vaccine, especially after the narcolepsy episodes with the rushed swine flu vaccine.

[Nesta99]

I have to say, I'm very pro-vaccination and anti conspiracy theories, but I still wouldn't be in a mad rush to be at the front of the queue for the new vaccine, especially after the narcolepsy episodes with the rushed swine flu vaccine.

There isnt a drug or vaccination that is 100% risk free, and there could be an understandible slow initial uptake due to the perceived rush through of this vaccination. But in reality it was the red tape that was cut through, limits on budgets, and an awful lot of very good people that stepped up to be guinea pigs - something that would usually be an arduous and timely process. It would be foolish to ever say never on anything ike this but if there is a vaccination that is going to have minimal risk (or knowing if there is risk) its going to be these ones. If there is a concern it wouldnt be the safety of the vax in principle but in the massive drive on production where quality issues could crop up - it only takes one person slacking and a batch is recalled. Serious damage was done by that bogus report linking MMR to autism for which the author did jail time. Still shaking the head over the thalidimide comparison, though its a bit mad that somthing that was designed to treat morning sickness is now a front line cancer treatment, some leap there!

[passinginterest]

There isnt a drug or vaccination that is 100% risk free, and there could be an understandible slow initial uptake due to the perceived rush through of this vaccination. But in reality it was the red tape that was cut through, limits on budgets, and an awful lot of very good people that stepped up to be guinea pigs - something that would usually be an arduous and timely process. It would be foolish to ever say never on anything ike this but if there is a vaccination that is going to have minimal risk (or knowing if there is risk) its going to be these ones. If there is a concern it wouldnt be the safety of the vax in principle but in the massive drive on production where quality issues could crop up - it only takes one person slacking and a batch is recalled. Serious damage was done by that bogus report linking MMR to autism for which the author did jail time. Still shaking the head over the thalidimide comparison, though its a bit mad that somthing that was designed to treat morning sickness is now a front line cancer treatment, some leap there!

Very true, and to be fair, I don't think I'd refuse it if offered in the early stages but there is some nagging doubts about how quickly things have moved. The Journal did a good explainer today (https://www.thejournal.ie/explainer-covid-19-vaccine-uk-5285807-Dec2020/) on how it was possible to progress it so quickly without compromising on any of the normal checks and balances. I'm actually on a drug that's still relatively new and subject to additional monitoring and I didn't hesitate to take it, so I'm probably just overthinking the covid vaccine.

Hopefully it's a massive success and we can roll out out efficiently enough that we'll all return to normality by summer 2021 (although preferably not a full time return to the office for me!).

[Nesta99]

I think its the right thing to ask questions and voice concerns. I also think people should have the right to refuse the vax, but based on concrete evidence and not some nutcase on a youture channel. I never recieved MMR as a kids due to concerns in asthmatics, it wasnt an issue in the end but if I ever mention it (and it being a GP decision) you do get some wicked looks, anti vaxers are a pain but so can pro vaxers on a crusade too. If there are underlying conditions i'd be going to a GP for the vax rather than a pharmacy. I heard there that roll out s to start in mid January so we could get to football games for mid February. It should help clubs with contract issues.

[passinginterest]

https://www.thejournal.ie/leo-varadkar-concert-refunds-5287615-Dec2020/

Comments here on mass gatherings and crowds at sporting events, suggests we might be doing well to have any crowds by the summer. Full capacity league of Ireland grounds not likely until latter half of 2021 I'd be thinking.

[Neish]

Not LOI but just watching Larne Vs Linfield on BBC NI, no face coverings or social distancing among a lot of the crowd

[Martinho II]

Not LOI but just watching Larne Vs Linfield on BBC NI, no face coverings or social distancing among a lot of the crowd

How are they allowed in with the larger crowds and the lack of social distancing? Seen some ladies GAA team in the news during the week up north with their celebrations.

[sbgawa]

Because boris johnson is a complete muppett and the pathetic unionist eejits want to be like him.
Even though he dropped them once the tories didnt need them.
Slow learners

[Neish]

Because boris johnson is a complete muppett and the pathetic unionist eejits want to be like him.
Even though he dropped them once the tories didnt need them.
Slow learners

From talking with a few people I know who live in the 6 counties there is a big difference in general attitudes towards COVID regulations in the 6 counties vs the 26 counties

[DCWA]

Ah now social distancing was clearly adhered too by the vast majority of the crowd apart from a few small groups on the wee terrace, furthermore not sure why masks would be required it is a wide open outdoor space.

I was at Inver Park when Derry played a friendly there a few months back and there was a lot less social distancing than last night and actually a bigger crowd as well.

It is great to see fans back at football and a progressive step taken by the Executive in the north for once.

[John83]

From talking with a few people I know who live in the 6 counties there is a big difference in general attitudes towards COVID regulations in the 6 counties vs the 26 counties
People tend to be more law-abiding in countries where trust in the government is relatively high. I remember reading something about this in a discussion on how chaotic traffic is in different countries, so I'm not completely confident I'm not over-stating the result. Anyway, I figure trust in the government might be a little eroded in the north for some reason.

[Nesta99]

Early NI January figures will not be fun, as this recent 'circuit breaker' was neither one thing or another with the old reliables squabbling from completely opposing points - so it was a some opening things up for the DUP and locking down for SF, both had their little victories at the expense of social health but not just in NI if you look at the worsening figures in Border areas of RoI. All policy has fallen to waiting for vaccines, in the mean time hope for the best. At least Dom isnt dictating to Boris anymore on the benefits of a cull!

If sterling slides next week on news of a no brexit deal - dont be tempted up North do get some Christmas bargains in as they could end up being the most expensive bargains you'll ever buy!!!

[bohsmug]

Fans looked fairly spread out to me at that game last night. Outdoors too which makes a huge difference.

There's a valid reason why we couldn't go to games this year so I'm not arguing against that but I really can't wait to go to games again. That Larne game was so much more watchable with a small crowd. I want to feel cold at a game, get warm after - all that mundane stuff.

[DCWA]

Early NI January figures will not be fun, as this recent 'circuit breaker' was neither one thing or another with the old reliables squabbling from completely opposing points - so it was a some opening things up for the DUP and locking down for SF, both had their little victories at the expense of social health but not just in NI if you look at the worsening figures in Border areas of RoI. All policy has fallen to waiting for vaccines, in the mean time hope for the best. At least Dom isnt dictating to Boris anymore on the benefits of a cull!

If sterling slides next week on news of a no brexit deal - dont be tempted up North do get some Christmas bargains in as they could end up being the most expensive bargains you'll ever buy!!!

One of the most over dramatic and nonsensical posts I have had the displeasure of
reading.
All policy in every country is now geared toward the vaccine, how coukd
it not be? As for the last comment about a cross border shopping trip being the most expensive bargains you’ll ever buy what complete partionist and sensationalist crap.
The implication that someone in Killea shopping in Derry or Lifford shopping in Strabane (walking distance away) is likely to go for their shopping trip with covid is idiotic and completely out of touch with reality.

[sbgawa]

Dont go shopping in areas with a higher incidence of covid than where you are is hardly sensationalist.

[Nesta99]

One of the most over dramatic and nonsensical posts I have had the displeasure of
reading.
All policy in every country is now geared toward the vaccine, how coukd
it not be? As for the last comment about a cross border shopping trip being the most expensive bargains you’ll ever buy what complete partionist and sensationalist crap.
The implication that someone in Killea shopping in Derry or Lifford shopping in Strabane (walking distance away) is likely to go for their shopping trip with covid is idiotic and completely out of touch with reality.

and here's the difference in thinking and attitude - people can make up their own minds.
'the most over dramatic and nonsensical posts you have had the displeasure of reading'? Diddums I didnt take you for being such a delicate flower DCWA! roars partitionist (yawn) yet in RoI we are not to leave our county of residence so the place must be falling apart at the suggestion....

The circuit breaker was botched by the DUP/SF p!ssing match with AP compromise getting something agreed, to late and too weak.to short to be classed as a proper circuit breaker. Has it worked? look at the figures and you tell me, or wait for a week or 2 when current infection rates will spike on top of the Christmas load. As for bargain shopping up North, I wasnt talking about people from the immediate border proximity - damage is already done there, and mores the pity we didnt directly restrict cross border travel in fear of stepping on delicate toes; But people travelling from further south where rates are lower in to a much higher risk zone that has much more limited controls in place and hence control on viral spread is a common sense approach - I know who Id think was idiotic and out of touch with reality!!

Of course countries, all suffering covid fatigue are preparing for vaccine roll out. Most realise that this will happen on a phased bases and all other social health protective measures should remain in the mean time. Funny how the British jumped in with active (limited) rollout of vaccines, made sure it was all over the news etc. Cause basically Boris is still bricking it on what happens early in the New Year, and anyone who isnt also worried needs the reality check. When full vaccination programmes are rolled out in full, and Im hopeful that this will allow a normal spring time, then we can possibly ease back other restrictions. Time will tell!!

[DCWA]

Well I am no delicate flower as such a thing would possess more beauty than me, the rest I could t be bothered with. Open the whole place up pack the pubs pack the stadiums pack Strabane Asda and Buncrana Aldi.

[Nesta99]

Well I am no delicate flower as such a thing would possess more beauty than me, the rest I could t be bothered with. Open the whole place up pack the pubs pack the stadiums pack Strabane Asda and Buncrana Aldi.

You forgot spitting the dummy!

[DCWA]

I don’t believe there are any current restrictions on dummy spitting (open to correction as pay no heed to them anyway).

[Nesta99]

I don’t believe there are any current restrictions on dummy spitting (open to correction as pay no heed to them anyway).

Remind yourself of that when a 3rd surge is causing chaos in the NHS. I hope you will not be one of those in need of a fully functional health service during that time! Oxygen is beautiful when one can actually breathe it...

So it begins, and in a country that does pay heed to the risks. Gonna be a bumpy ride across the UK as things stand!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55292614

[Nesta99]

I do have to apologise for some of the tone above to DCWA, its serves no good at all to be petty and take a cheap shot with terms like diddums or spitting the dummy. We obviously disagree, but there isnt a right for me to let the angrier side of myself to get the better and lash out - and deflect away from the issues of concern. Im not rolling back from what Ive said in terms of covid, avoiding places of higher rates etc. But I was being unnecessarily snide at points!

(I think the call on 'partitionism' and I saw red for so many reason!).

[Nesta99]

Ive flogged this thread plenty, in general hope of people considering things from a bit of a different angle that the standard government calls. This report gave me the heebee jeebees a week out from people being able to ease restrictions to gather for christmas, unless Stormont ignores London. All those appliances stuck and unable to respond to additional emergencies. Thats grim stuff and could yet be sharing hospital capacity across the border. with HSE units asked to respond in to NI Border areas,

https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2020/1215/1184594-coronavirus-ni/

'Northern Ireland now faces one of the most challenging periods of the pandemic after the most recent circuit break lockdown failed to drive down infections.
Hospital capacity across the region stood at 104% today.
At one point outside Antrim Area Hospital, 17 ambulances containing patients were lined up outside the emergency department. Doctors were treating patients in the car park'.

[DCWA]

I do have to apologise for some of the tone above to DCWA, its serves no good at all to be petty and take a cheap shot with terms like diddums or spitting the dummy. We obviously disagree, but there isnt a right for me to let the angrier side of myself to get the better and lash out - and deflect away from the issues of concern. Im not rolling back from what Ive said in terms of covid, avoiding places of higher rates etc. But I was being unnecessarily snide at points!

(I think the call on 'partitionism' and I saw red for so many reason!).

I don’t feel you have any reason at all to apologise nesta and if any reason it is perhaps I who does for some of my flippancy.

I would like to clarify on my I pay no heed to them remark, that was for all intents and purposes a wind up as I do wear masks, keep my distance and basically use a bit of common sense and follow the law/guidance and have never had any problem doing so. However like yourself I won’t move away from the core of my point and I am happy to see things open up again but there is no point in going round in circles on that obviously we’d only be wasting each other’s time.

[Nesta99]

If anyone is in doubt over how different management of covid has an imact ye just have to look at not only the recent figures from NI but also the spill-over in to border counties. The daily rate is going to top 2000 but ICU admissions are reasonably stable. Mixed bag with the ICU figures as there are cases that probably would have been admitted to an ICU previously but for both capacity reasons and the ability to manage cases on general wards the head is being kept above water. Improvements in protecting those in residential care is also doing its bit. The 'English' variant is definitely accelerating the number of infections but again there may be a silver lining as vaccination programmes are being expedited across Europe with more cooperative streamlining for the most vulnerable. It will take until the Summer to meet the 70% target for 'herd immunity' but I'm still positive that enough will happen over the next 2-3 months to have significant if not full return of crowds to games. If the season was pushed back to an April KO, shortened or also finishing later then, if things dont throw us a curve ball, we could be back baying at each other in the flesh. In my inevitable ranting tone, serious adherence to lockdowns and everything else will bring us closer to being able to get to games et al in as normal as way as is possible. It is possible, even probable that things like facemasks will be the norm even beyond 2021 KO, which ight suit some of our less desired club support.

https://img.rasset.ie/0015fdc1-614.jpg?ratio=0.94

[pineapple stu]

Emmet Malone in the Irish Times this week saying that clubs are budgeting on no paying fans at all this season. The start of the season may yet be delayed pending confirmation of what financial package is in place for clubs.

This is obviously a nightmare - and yet with deaths and ICU admissions at their highest levels yet, all really out of letting people enjoy Christmas a bit, it's understandable. 50 deaths a day means around one-third of all deaths are covid-related (going off very rough maths - 5m population and 80-year life expectancy) and will surely lead to excess mortality. They're obviously bigger issues than being able to go to a match or the pub or what have you. Let's see how the vaccination programme goes, but all indications are it's going to take a while, and it mayn't even give a year's worth of immunity.

But how is the league going to operate for another full year behind closed doors? Is there really enough money in streaming? How are clubs going to keep a community link going if they're effectively two years without being able to let people into games? Will we lose a club this year?

Answers on a postcard to...

[sbgawa]

Emmet Malone in the Irish Times this week saying that clubs are budgeting on no paying fans at all this season. The start of the season may yet be delayed pending confirmation of what financial package is in place for clubs.

This is obviously a nightmare - and yet with deaths and ICU admissions at their highest levels yet, all really out of letting people enjoy Christmas a bit, it's understandable. 50 deaths a day means around one-third of all deaths are covid-related (going off very rough maths - 5m population and 80-year life expectancy) and will surely lead to excess mortality. They're obviously bigger issues than being able to go to a match or the pub or what have you. Let's see how the vaccination programme goes, but all indications are it's going to take a while, and it mayn't even give a year's worth of immunity.

But how is the league going to operate for another full year behind closed doors? Is there really enough money in streaming? How are clubs going to keep a community link going if they're effectively two years without being able to let people into games? Will we lose a club this year?

Answers on a postcard to...

Wont necessarily lead to excess mortality over a year , the median age quoted in the I.T was 85 and a big % were in nursing homes and may have died of the conditions that made them vulnerable to covid during that time period.
An Uncle of mine with Alzymers in a nursing home died of but he was ill for years and it was a happy release tbh , (not the same for everyone obv).

Could the FAI make a case that once you have a vaccine cert or a HSE note that u had Covid that you are allowed attend matches?
An incentive to take the vacine with the added benefit that the anti-vax nutjobs cant get in :)

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, that's true - I guess the point is just that even something which can generate excess mortality over a month or two is a big event, especially with everything we've had to do to limit it to where we are now. (And that's before covid side-effects for those who, say, do come out of hospital the right end)

I don't see vaccine certs being a goer tbh. Can they be forged? Do people without them have to stay in their own county? How do you police that if half the population can move around and the other half can't?

I don't mind impacting the anti-vaxxers, but I'm not sure it's practical. Plus - and Nesta may know more - it may be too early yet to tell how effective the vaccine at large will actually be

[John83]

I don't think it's really established yet whether the vaccinated can be carriers. If they can't, that discussion is worth having, but if they can't, we'll need to have vaccinations well underway before there'll be any real relief from restrictions.

And then there's the fears around the vaccine's efficacy against mutations. I read that the variant detected in South Africa has a lot of mutations relating to the spike protein, so they're a bit worried about that one. Hopefully that's already old news and it's not a problem; I try not to read as much about this as I used, because it's just stressful. But yeah, we need time to figure out what the vaccinations really buy us. The degree to which this was left run riot worldwide is to blame, as it happens. The more infected people there are, the more likely a mutation is to arise. If we'd all pursued a zero-covid strategy, there wouldn't be a fraction of the reservations about the effectiveness of the vaccinations. But no, we had to have gastropubs open in July.

[Nesta99]

I don't think it's really established yet whether the vaccinated can be carriers. If they can't, that discussion is worth having, but if they can't, we'll need to have vaccinations well underway before there'll be any real relief from restrictions.

And then there's the fears around the vaccine's efficacy against mutations. I read that the variant detected in South Africa has a lot of mutations relating to the spike protein, so they're a bit worried about that one. Hopefully that's already old news and it's not a problem; I try not to read as much about this as I used, because it's just stressful. But yeah, we need time to figure out what the vaccinations really buy us. The degree to which this was left run riot worldwide is to blame, as it happens. The more infected people there are, the more likely a mutation is to arise. If we'd all pursued a zero-covid strategy, there wouldn't be a fraction of the reservations about the effectiveness of the vaccinations. But no, we had to have gastropubs open in July.

I know what yer getting at there but some of my logic(?) - People can be carriers (vectors) vaccinated or not, surface of the skin, nasal passage etc. It may not infect that person for whatever reason but that person can spread to others, main risk to non vaccinated and vaccinated but immunocompromised. By the nature of vaccination, preprogramming an appropriate immune response to the viral infection people do become 'infected' but the virus is fought off. I'd be pretty sure some people will still even have mild symptoms and be infectious hence the herd immunity concept with any vaccination programme. If its being suggested that the virus remains dormant in the body post infection (even with vaccination) and can flare up? Its an interesting question and I havent heard anything about it but Herpes Zoster as a virus does exactly that though only infectious during a flare up. It's inevitable that this vaccination will become a seasonal thing and there will be a whole raging 'debate' on compulsory vaccination. Enough people dont take up vaccination in the future and we could be in a sort of tailspin again and bricking it about variants (less infection rates, less variants and vaccines keep infection rates down etc). Its certainly a money spinner for the pharma companies so the conspiracies' will fly and fuel antivaxing meaning govt efforts to force the issue will cause the usuals to come crawling out shouting!

Mutations are a concern but the base vaccine will be tweaked, its all about creating time and capacity to adapt. With multiple different vaccines now on the go there may be additional cover against (resistant) variants. Key will be timely roll out of vaccines to ALL people across the globe - big task but will happen as the financial damage done already would cover the cost many times over never mind doing it all again with a variant (or new virus....). Time estimates of the roll out of vaccines here will all be kept low to keep expectations low which is sensible. But there will be a pretty sudden ramp up of vaccination sooner than later as systems bed in and production capacity is increased and with more vaccine options being licensed. Wont be in time for a full return of crowds by season start, but get over this current hump scale plays back in to our court with a small country and population to vaccinate and then protect from possible future external issues with mutations of the virus. It will be a very different experience for the UK over the next 6-12 months again wit scale and as this surge will be longer, more widespread in the community and inhibit vaccination rollout and there is the strange situation where people are refusing the vaccines available and waiting for the Oxford/Astrazeneca British option which is actually less effective than others but homegrown so must be the best.

[sbgawa]

I know what yer getting at there but some of my logic(?) - People can be carriers (vectors) vaccinated or not, surface of the skin, nasal passage etc. It may not infect that person for whatever reason but that person can spread to others, main risk to non vaccinated and vaccinated but immunocompromised. By the nature of vaccination, preprogramming an appropriate immune response to the viral infection people do become 'infected' but the virus is fought off. I'd be pretty sure some people will still even have mild symptoms and be infectious hence the herd immunity concept with any vaccination programme. If its being suggested that the virus remains dormant in the body post infection (even with vaccination) and can flare up? Its an interesting question and I havent heard anything about it but Herpes Zoster as a virus does exactly that though only infectious during a flare up. It's inevitable that this vaccination will become a seasonal thing and there will be a whole raging 'debate' on compulsory vaccination. Enough people dont take up vaccination in the future and we could be in a sort of tailspin again and bricking it about variants (less infection rates, less variants and vaccines keep infection rates down etc). Its certainly a money spinner for the pharma companies so the conspiracies' will fly and fuel antivaxing meaning govt efforts to force the issue will cause the usuals to come crawling out shouting!

Mutations are a concern but the base vaccine will be tweaked, its all about creating time and capacity to adapt. With multiple different vaccines now on the go there may be additional cover against (resistant) variants. Key will be timely roll out of vaccines to ALL people across the globe - big task but will happen as the financial damage done already would cover the cost many times over never mind doing it all again with a variant (or new virus....). Time estimates of the roll out of vaccines here will all be kept low to keep expectations low which is sensible. But there will be a pretty sudden ramp up of vaccination sooner than later as systems bed in and production capacity is increased and with more vaccine options being licensed. Wont be in time for a full return of crowds by season start, but get over this current hump scale plays back in to our court with a small country and population to vaccinate and then protect from possible future external issues with mutations of the virus. It will be a very different experience for the UK over the next 6-12 months again wit scale and as this surge will be longer, more widespread in the community and inhibit vaccination rollout and there is the strange situation where people are refusing the vaccines available and waiting for the Oxford/Astrazeneca British option which is actually less effective than others but homegrown so must be the best.

The oxford vaccine is the Brexiteers vacine, the pesky europeans can take that Phizser one :)
How on earth did the Brits ever rule half the world :)

[Nesta99]

The oxford vaccine is the Brexiteers vacine, the pesky europeans can take that Phizser one :)
How on earth did the Brits ever rule half the world :)

Astrazeneca i'm pretty sure is at least part Swedish too but the Biontech bit of the Pfizer effort is German and Pfizer sounds German (well it was founded by a couple of Germans in the US) which would be at least grand with the Royal family! Not so with a lot of others especially among the elderly (which I can kinda understand) but all things considered I doubt British branding would have been at the forefront of Pfizer thinking! Call it the 'SCG vaccine' after the royals and there'd nothing of the pesky German sounding about it and it'd be grand all round ha! Whatever about ruling half the world its less of a surprise that they lost it again...

[pineapple stu]

Intercounty GAA suspended while Level 5 restrictions in place (https://www.extratime.com/articles/26603/inter-county-gaelic-games-suspended-as-level-5-exemption-for-gaa-elite-sports-withdrawn-by-government/).

At the moment, the LoI is exempt from restrictions - "It’s important for the football community that our national league commences", the Minister for State, Jack Chambers, has tweeted.

But if we're honest, in pandemic times, it's irrelevant for the community at large if the national league commences. You wonder if we'll hear more about this in the coming days and weeks.

[D24Saint]

Intercounty GAA suspended while Level 5 restrictions in place (https://www.extratime.com/articles/26603/inter-county-gaelic-games-suspended-as-level-5-exemption-for-gaa-elite-sports-withdrawn-by-government/).

At the moment, the LoI is exempt from restrictions - "It’s important for the football community that our national league commences", the Minister for State, Jack Chambers, has tweeted.

But if we're honest, in pandemic times, it's irrelevant for the community at large if the national league commences. You wonder if we'll hear more about this in the coming days and weeks.

I can’t see the GAA taking this lying down, I expect to hear more on this.

[Mr A]

I can’t see the GAA taking this lying down, I except to hear more on this.

Hilarious as this is- the spotlight on the league is now going to be incredibly intense. Any slip-ups however minor will be pounced on. In general the league handled things very well last year so we're well able but there is inevitable blow back coming here.

[D24Saint]

Hilarious as this is- the spotlight on the league is now going to be incredibly intense. Any slip-ups however minor will be pounced on. In general the league handled things very well last year so we're well able but there is inevitable blow back coming here.

Even Claire Byrne was grilling the minister this morning on whether the LOI was really professional.

[boynemunich]

I can’t see the GAA taking this lying down, I expect to hear more on this.

They've made a statement about it via their covid advisory board so I think they will accept it for now. There was a few outbreaks due to them last year and it would be a terrible look to go against government advice given the severity of this wave. The GAA's unique selling point is that it's amateur so they have to accept those terms now whether it suits them or not.