Many Western countries looked on with a hint of dread as Chinese authorities clamped down their populations in January in the hopes of containing the spread of Covid-19. But that dread gave way to palpable fear and gnawing anxiety when the novel coronavirus touched down in Europe in March and April of this year. Fear […]
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water: Germany’s coronavirus R number has leapt again – from 1.79 on Saturday to 2.88 on Sunday, official figures show. The Robert Koch Institute for public health (RKI), which has been publishing the country’s COVID-19 statistics, said the new number is based on […]
Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has sharply criticised the government’s move to restrict attendances at masses to 50 people, asking “Do we have to return to our mass rocks to be able to celebrate the Eucharist?” Ireland has been slower than many other countries to allow centres of faith to reopen. “The restriction of 50 people […]
Here’s a free idea for the publicans of Ireland: Start advertising your once in a lifetime special offer deal now: Two free pints with your €9 packet of taytos: Pubs will be allowed to reopen on 29 June if they serve "substantial" meals costing not less than €9, according to new guidelines being prepared by […]
A leading disabilities group in Britain has revealed a shocking rise in GPs and hospital staff issuing ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (DNACPR) forms for people with disabilities during the Covid-19 crisis – without consulting patients or their families. Their investigation shows that patients who had disabilities had ‘do not resuscitate’ forms issued for ‘blindness’ and even […]
I have written elsewhere about how the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in dangerous and unethical responses like ventilator rationing, unilateral DNRs, and some states ordering nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to accept coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals. But the Covid-19 crisis has also spawned new ideas such as the American Clinicians Academy On Medical Aid in Dying’s policy […]
Despite what we are being told by the national broadcaster, RTE TV, and others, it would appear there have been far fewer Corona flu deaths than we have been led to believe- perhaps less than 200. According to the General Register’s Office which records all deaths in Ireland: “During April 2020, there were 2,689 deaths […]
Just one in ten Irish people between the ages of 18 and 34 considers themselves to be happy, according to these new figures from the CSO. The general level of happiness improves with age, but not by much. 14% of those who are aged between 35 and 44 say they are happy, and it rises […]
You may all be distracted by less important things, like the riots and discord engulfing the western world, and that’s why it’s important that those of us who bring you the news highlight the truly grave injustices that are being perpetrated on the people: Guidelines for reopening the hospitality industry following the Covid-19 lockdown are […]
If you can remember that long ago, the only protesters defying Covid-19 lockdowns in the United States were small crowds of roughnecks from flyover country waving flags and brandishing placards at State capitals. Nonetheless, petty incidents like this still outraged bioethicists and public health experts. Writing in PennLive, a Pennsylvania blog, four of them, including the […]
Journalist Gemma O’Doherty has said neither she nor fellow litigant John Waters should have to pay costs in their court application challenging the government’s Covid-19 restrictions. Ms O’Doherty tweeted that “John Waters and I are not remotely afraid of costs.” She said ” We are terrified for Ireland which is facing its darkest moment. Our […]
A study published by prestigious peer-reviewed journal, the Lancet, which claimed that the use of hydroxychloroquine was dangerous and led to more deaths has been retracted after it was found that the data used in the study could not be verified. The retraction is a huge embarrassment for the scientific journal, and raises questions as […]