[Leica] Lockdown in Ireland

[Douglas Barry]

The key starts to turn here - a little.

Despite the fact that many countries are fudging their causes of death 
and not including care homes, etc., our own very worrying CoVid death 
rate per million of population stands at 256 - the 12th worst in the 
world (the US is 16th on 198). However, from Tuesday, people who are 
over 70 and who right now have to cocoon, can go outside as long as they 
avoid contact with others (shopping for instance). The current 2km 
exercise restriction for all of the Irish population including myself 
will be extended to 5km. That should open up more chances to get some 
photographic variety as long I don't die doing it!

Subject to how this works out with future CoVid infections, and 
consequent deaths, these further relaxations below will be considered, 
but each will be dependent on no problems with the one that went before.

Phase One (18 May)
Outdoor meetings between people from different households will be 
allowed and childcare for healthcare workers will be opened
Phased return of outdoor workers such as gardeners and repair workers, 
as well as the opening of retailers which are primarily outdoor
Certain outdoor public amenities will also be opened

Phase Two
Household visits will be allowed and plans will be in place to open up 
business with consideration for safety of staff and customers
Small retail outlets will open with social distancing observed
Open public libraries.

Phase Three
Small social gatherings will be permitted and playgrounds will open, 
while creches, childminders and pre-schools will be available for 
children of essential workers in a phased manner
Those with low levels of interaction can return to work
Non-essential retail outlets with street level entrance and exit can open.

Phase Four
Creches, childminders and pre-schools will be opened for children of all 
other workers on a gradually-increasing basis.
Those who cannot work from home will return to work
There will be a gradual easing of restrictions for higher-risk services 
like hairdressers
Opening of museums, galleries and places of worship.

Phase Five
Larger social gatherings will be allowed and workers across all sectors 
can return to the workplace
On a phased basis, commencing at the beginning of the academic year 
2020/2021, primary and secondary schools and third level institutions 
will reopen
At this point there will be further easing of restrictions on high-risk 
retail services.

However, while all of this looks very encouraging, the reality is there 
is no vaccine, testing is not comprehensive enough here in Ireland (or 
probably anywhere else!), test results are too slow, antibody tests are 
not available, and there is no certainty as to whether a person who got 
CoVid before and recovered, is still at risk of another infection. So in 
reality, it's time to put my head between my knees, and hope.

Douglas