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Post by Mickmack on Aug 22, 2020 10:14:54 GMT
Profile: Ronan Glynn: Young doctor from GAA family at centre of increasingly controversial Covid battle
Holohan's 'apprentice' earns respect of medical peers and politicians
Ellen Coyne
August 22 2020 02:30 AM
Ronan Glynn was nervous. It was the start of April, Ireland was in a state of anguish and anxiety over Covid-19.
Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, was in hospital undergoing tests unrelated to the virus. Dr Glynn, as his deputy, was taking over the daily Covid-19 briefing.
"You could tell he was nervous," an insider, who was in the Department of Health that night, said. "But it didn't come across on camera."
There was a view in the Department of Health that Dr Holohan, who had attended plenty of press events and gruelling Oireachtas committees in his time, was used to being front and centre in the glare of a camera. Dr Glynn, the young deputy CMO, was not.
Months later, Dr Glynn would take over as acting CMO after Dr Holohan stepped back to spend time with his family as his wife Emer started palliative care.
"He was taking over from Tony Holohan, who was beloved, and had been on people's televisions every night of the week throughout Covid-19," the insider said.
"Ronan stepped up and adapted to something that would not have come naturally to him."
Glynn grew up in Lydican, Oranmore in Co Galway and is the eldest child of George and Mary Glynn. His family owns the popular Glynn's Fruit and Veg shop.
The acting CMO is married to Carla O'Brien, the RTÉ journalist, and they have two young children. He graduated from UCD with a BSc in physiotherapy in 2002 before studying medicine at the University of Aberdeen.
In 2013, Dr Glynn graduated with a PhD in surgical oncology at NUIG before he completed a Masters in public health at UCD in 2015.
His career included senior roles at the HSE and Hiqa before joining the Department of Health as deputy CMO in 2018.
One of the projects he was most passionate about as deputy CMO was the HPV vaccine, and he helped the Department of Health to fight a major misinformation campaign which led to a drop in uptake of the cervical cancer vaccine.
Dr Glynn's colleagues say he is someone who collaborates a lot. He is deliberate and thoughtful.
He is described as someone who would be difficult to have an argument with - a valuable skill in the sometimes "fractious" Department of Health.
He was described by one source as being "Tony Holohan's apprentice" but those who've worked closely with Nphet over the last number of months pointed out that Dr Glynn had been doing a huge amount of detailed and forensic work helping Dr Holohan since the pandemic spread to Ireland.
Dr Glynn was often called on during early press conferences to provide data on outbreaks among meat factories or direct provision centres.
One medical expert said he was "most impressed with Ronan, because he's been working as acting CMO without his own Ronan".
Doctors working with Safetynet, a primary care charity working with the most marginalised, have been impressed that Dr Glynn has taken the time in recent weeks to call and ask them how things are going as they test and trace homeless people and asylum seekers for Covid-19.
Dr Glynn has shown an interest in healthcare issues affecting marginalised or minority groups throughout his career. In 2016 and 2017, he helped lead a HSE awareness campaign on the risk of STI transmission through chemsex - when people use drugs to enhance or intensify sex.
Dr Glynn is a very popular man among those he has worked with.
While he had two years as deputy CMO compared to Holohan's 12 years as CMO, there is a strong desire in Government to point out how capable Dr Glynn is.
Some ministers even think the word "acting" should be dropped from his title.
"While everyone wants Tony Holohan to return, I really don't want the public to think that Ronan is some kind of understudy for Tony," one minister said.
Dr Glynn is also very well received among what one politician described as "the Tweeting doctors".
As the Government fumbled its way through worsening crises and confusing Covid-19 advice this week, there appeared to be a concerted campaign from the likes of Cillian De Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, and Maitiu Ó Tuathail, the well known GP, to compliment Dr Glynn as a leader.
There was strong praise for a video Dr Glynn made for social media explaining the new restrictions after a confusing and poor Government press conference.
While the former CMO was successfully kept separate from politics, there are fears Dr Glynn could be tarnished by association with the new, calamity-prone Government.
"He has the hardest CMO job in Europe," one doctor said, pointing out that the public health advice for earlier stages of lockdown was much simpler.
"Ronan has a much tougher job than Tony did. I think it would be better if he did the Covid-19 briefings by himself."
Nobody can remember politicians or businesses attacking Dr Holohan, but Glynn has already had to deal with cold and cutting statements from the GAA over a decision to limit sports and off-the-record comments from ministers about Nphet's "draconian" measures.
The former may have stung, as his family are strong supporters of the GAA.
His parents' fruit and vegetable shop has been the sponsors of the Claregalway team.
Sitting oddly among the public health experts and politicians that Dr Glynn follows on social media is the Galway GAA account.
Dr Glynn is still in his 30s and while accomplished, is very early in his career to be dealing with such a major national role during a global pandemic.
It is expected he has more than earned the right to graduate on to the full-time CMO role if and when it becomes available.
Others speculate that with such a sudden high profile, plenty of other opportunities could also now be available.
"He has gone from strength to strength," a colleague said.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 22, 2020 10:18:16 GMT
I posted that up because of the narrative that there is an anti -GAA agenda at play in the authorities.
I am as frustrated as anyone about cutting back on the 200 attending.
I will delete the post if people me to.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Aug 22, 2020 10:21:52 GMT
I posted that up because of the narrative that there is an anti -GAA agenda at play in the authorities. I am as frustrated as anyone about cutting back on the 200 attending. I will delete the post if people me to. GAA related posts that don't contain conspiracy, misinformation, and innuendo, like what you posted, should be grand. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2020 11:04:21 GMT
I posted that up because of the narrative that there is an anti -GAA agenda at play in the authorities. I am as frustrated as anyone about cutting back on the 200 attending. I will delete the post if people me to. I see no great conspiracy here. While I miss going to matches, at least games are happening and players are playing. That is enough for now with the hope of it getting better in the coming weeks. |
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 22, 2020 23:29:57 GMT
I posted that up because of the narrative that there is an anti -GAA agenda at play in the authorities. I am as frustrated as anyone about cutting back on the 200 attending. I will delete the post if people me to. GAA related posts that don't contain conspiracy, misinformation, and innuendo, like what you posted, should be grand. Annascaul It’s very easy to throw out statements like that and not engage with points that have been made in this discussion, which are very GAA related. If you’re going to make statements like that, you really should identify what what “conspiracy, misinformation, and innuendo” has been put on here. As far as I can see, posters are just trying to understand and assess the impact of the latest announcements on the GAA |
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Post by veteran on Aug 23, 2020 10:04:14 GMT
Rollingstone,
I think Annauscaul , like a couple of others here, aspires to the power of Control without the responsibilities.
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mandad
Senior Member
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Post by mandad on Aug 23, 2020 12:46:16 GMT
I am radically in favour of freedom of speech and the manifestation of ideas. (Previous post by me will attest to this) Although I am not a controversial person, I am attentive to politics and social reality. When I perceive great injustices, ideological absurdities, or actions that can undermine the unfortunate among us, indignation takes over and I react proportionately.
We don’t ban someone simply for disagreeing with the majority, in fact, we encourage it, and that is beyond my intention here or at any other previous time. When even one voice is silenced, the harmony of the chorus is immediately out of sync.
This is why thoughtful, disciplined, timely, and independent moderation are so important to us all. A good light touch moderator is like the zero in mathematics, it is an absence with a function. We are, fortunately, well served on this Forum.
I can only speak for myself and in my humble opinion, I would prefer if this “Red and Blue” nonsense was discontinued on this discussion. Everyone got a fair warning back on 5th July and it has not been listened to. Thats my last word on it.
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 23, 2020 12:59:43 GMT
When the announcement was made last week on the crowd ban was the criteria set out that would allowing crowds to return? Was it a general reduction in cases that will be reviewed next month or was there a specific number identified that would allow it? I got the headline measures that were imposed but not what would allow for their reversal.
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Post by veteran on Aug 23, 2020 14:11:16 GMT
I am radically in favour of freedom of speech and the manifestation of ideas. (Previous post by me will attest to this) Although I am not a controversial person, I am attentive to politics and social reality. When I perceive great injustices, ideological absurdities, or actions that can undermine the unfortunate among us, indignation takes over and I react proportionately. We don’t ban someone simply for disagreeing with the majority, in fact, we encourage it, and that is beyond my intention here or at any other previous time. When even one voice is silenced, the harmony of the chorus is immediately out of sync. This is why thoughtful, disciplined, timely, and independent moderation are so important to us all. A good light touch moderator is like the zero in mathematics, it is an absence with a function. We are, fortunately, well served on this Forum. I can only speak for myself and in my humble opinion, I would prefer if this “Red and Blue” nonsense was discontinued on this discussion. Everyone got a fair warning back on 5th July and it has not been listened to. Thats my last word on it. Very likely the fault lies within me but I find this post largely impenetrable. The “Red and Blue” reference? Not surprisingly Annauscaul likes the contribution. Any reference to a possible censorious approach has this man swooping in like a hawk. Annauscaul, I know it has little to do with me but why not accept Rollingstone’s challenge from one of his recent posts.? |
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 23, 2020 14:37:24 GMT
The various shades of opinion on here reflects society at large.
I am convinced now that some sort of Citizens Assembly is needed like prior to the Abortion referendum with people for all walks of life contributing.
The topic; Professor Thomas Ryan's article in yesterdays Irish Times's posted below.
Do we go for zero covid with all that entails.
Or
Do we 'live with the virus' with all that entails
At the moment we are somewhere in between in a sort of no mans land.
An open frank conversation is required.
Can we agree on that much?
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 23, 2020 14:40:48 GMT
Time to embrace zero-Covid policy
Do we want to live with a deadly virus or eliminate its community transmission?
Sat, Aug 22, 2020, 01:43
Tomás Ryan
Critics of zero-Covid have said it involves sacrificing the economy. In fact, elimination is the only viable way of opening the economy fully. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
We all want the same thing. For society to move into a more functional place, socially and economically. The question is how best to achieve this.
Right now we are moving backwards into reactive mitigation measures intended to curb the spread of coronavirus. We need to turn this around and move into a stable and sustainable way of life. But we’re not going to find ourselves there by accident. At the moment, we are floundering exactly because of our lack of strategy and direction.
We have to make a choice. Either we consciously decide to live with a virus that does not afford us the same courtesy, or we make the decision to drive for elimination of its transmission in the community. When making this decision, we need to keep in mind the realities of the end goals – what does success look like for both options?
Suppression, when done well, means living with the virus and living with restrictions. It means reduced economic capacity, social distancing and limited gatherings. With rigorous testing and social distancing, it can mean a stable situation without lockdowns. But it means never really opening society fully until there is a widely available vaccine. South Korea and Germany are two leading nations in the successful suppression of Sars-CoV-2.
While suppression is living with the virus, elimination is living without it. It means opening up fully, without restrictions. It means allowing for a vigorous domestic economy and a normal social life. New Zealand is the poster child for zero-Covid elimination, with Taiwan and Vietnam nearby.
Ireland is not New Zealand. If it was, we would be living under much improved circumstances already. We have different geographical and political challenges than their islands. A zero-Covid plan for Ireland is not about copying New Zealand. We can aim to attain the same result, but by a different method.
To many of us it seems that the zero-Covid option has been misrepresented and confused in our public discussion. It cannot be summarily dismissed by any expert, commentator, politician or special interest group. No one can say that elimination is impossible. Science does not work on the basis of authority, and it does not work on consensus. It works on what works. And elimination has been shown to work, with the right measures.
Nuanced approach
To most of us, the end result of a zero-Covid strategy is obviously the most appealing of our options. But what would it cost to first achieve, and then maintain? A crude lockdown, with foreign travel restrictions, would of course achieve elimination. But it is not the most nuanced approach, and we would then be vulnerable to new seeding from abroad. Persistent lockdown defeats the purpose. This week, a concrete “green zone” strategy was developed by Prof Anthony Staines at DCU, Prof Gerry Killeen at UCC, and Prof Yaneer Bar Yam at the New England Institute for Complex Systems in Boston.
Science does not work on the basis of authority, and it does not work on consensus. It works on what works
The proposal includes a 14-point actionable plan for achieving elimination by a hybrid approach that combines travel restrictions between sensibly defined “regions” (towns, rural areas and counties) with brief and decisive localised lockdowns where necessary, and an aggressive programme of find/test/trace/isolate/support (FTTIS) to “hunt” the virus from the island proactively within one to two months.
Crucially, this is an approach that would allow us to travel to a zero-Covid end goal by transitioning through a more effective suppression situation, and away from our current mitigation reality. In other words, the effort would yield its own rewards in controlling the virus in our population, right up to the point of eliminating it. Then, the same methodology would be employed to maintain a state of effective elimination of community transmission with carefully regulated international travel into the country.
Critics of zero-Covid have said it involves sacrificing the economy. In fact, elimination is the only viable way of opening the economy fully, and we need to level with people that “living with the virus” does not mean a normal economy. Some have implied that zero-Covid involves living in lockdown perpetually, when its purpose is the opposite. The Border with Northern Ireland is frequently thrown in to shut down the conversation. Yet, the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health have given cross-party support for a zero-Covid strategy, following the lead of first minister Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland. Northern Ireland is ahead of us here, and a zero-Covid island is a potential joint project. Two days ago in Westminster, an all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus wrote to prime minister Boris Johnson to call for a zero-Covid strategy in the UK.
International travel
Ireland is, of course, a global economy and serial testing of travellers before and after travel, combined with limited and appropriate quarantine, would allow for sufficient international travel in the current world. New and rapid testing technologies such as reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) will help facilitate this. People are rightly concerned that New Zealand suffered new seeding of Sars-CoV-2 after just over 100 days of full opening. But nothing is perfect, and this will be managed on a regional basis. The occasional reversion into increased restrictions is the reality of any strategy when things go wrong, including our current situation. But there is a world of difference between allowing a perpetual fire to burn in your home, and the problem of new embers coming from the outside. Elimination is not about a static number, it is a continuous journey towards a vigorous and inclusive society.
There is a world of difference between allowing a perpetual fire to burn in your home, and the problem of new embers coming from the outside
Zero-Covid is not a fringe idea – it is a goal pursued in the UK by Dr Gabriel Scally and the independent Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) group calling for a zero-Covid Britain. In Ireland, it has been endorsed by some of our leading epidemiologists and public health experts including Prof Patricia Kearney, Prof Ivan Perry and Prof Sam McConkey. It has also been backed by a range of scientists including immunologist Prof Luke O’Neill, geneticist Prof David McConnell, neuroscientist Prof Kevin Mitchell, and the former chief scientific adviser to the Government, Prof Patrick Cunningham.
Whether we can achieve a zero-Covid scenario in Ireland is neither a scientific nor a medical question. It is one of political will. It can happen, if enough of us want it to happen. Some of the most important work during the pandemic has been done by journalists, who have been shining a light on how we have been managing our situation. But the media also has a responsibility to open up an inclusive conversation on the zero-Covid option, regardless of how uncomfortable it might be for the Government or lobby groups. This will require a diverse range of perspectives from every sector of society, and clear communication from many kinds of medical and scientific expertise.
Let’s put all the pieces on the table and start an inclusive, national conversation about our options. If, as a society, we really do decide to live with the virus then so be it. But the honest discussion has yet to happen, and people are curious. Elimination of Sars-CoV-2 from the population could be seen as a positive and constructive project of solidarity, and that is surely a better way to live than the confused and meandering uncertainty of mitigation.
Tomás Ryan is associate professor in the school of biochemistry and immunology at Trinity College Dublin
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 23, 2020 17:08:33 GMT
The various shades of opinion on here reflects society at large. I am convinced now that some sort of Citizens Assembly is needed like prior to the Abortion referendum with people for all walks of life contributing. The topic; Professor Thomas Ryan's article in yesterdays Irish Times's posted below. Do we go for zero covid with all that entails. Or Do we 'live with the virus' with all that entails At the moment we are somewhere in between in a sort of no mans land. An open frank conversation is required. Can we agree on that much? Good point Mick. Came across this piece today myself and found myself asking whatever happened to flattening the curve and saving the HSE from being over run which never happened. Previously it was accepted that there would be a degree of risk and deaths and that we would have to manage it as best as we can. Most governments chose to do that by locking down, rightly or wrongly, but now the narrative seems to have moved from preventing deaths to preventing cases (even though ICU admissions and deaths have long since fizzled out) and now even possibly zero covid. The problem with having an open and frank conversation on it as you suggest is that we can't really do that here to the extent that it is needed as it goes way beyond the GAA, which is a real shame for me but not for others I suspect. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2020 17:43:12 GMT
The various shades of opinion on here reflects society at large. I am convinced now that some sort of Citizens Assembly is needed like prior to the Abortion referendum with people for all walks of life contributing. The topic; Professor Thomas Ryan's article in yesterdays Irish Times's posted below. Do we go for zero covid with all that entails. Or Do we 'live with the virus' with all that entails At the moment we are somewhere in between in a sort of no mans land. An open frank conversation is required. Can we agree on that much? Good point Mick. Came across this piece today myself and found myself asking whatever happened to flattening the curve and saving the HSE from being over run which never happened. Previously it was accepted that there would be a degree of risk and deaths and that we would have to manage it as best as we can. Most governments chose to do that by locking down, rightly or wrongly, but now the narrative seems to have moved from preventing deaths to preventing cases (even though ICU admissions and deaths have long since fizzled out) and now even possibly zero covid. The problem with having an open and frank conversation on it as you suggest is that we can't really do that here to the extent that it is needed as it goes way beyond the GAA, which is a real shame for me but not for others I suspect. Try boards.ie |
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 23, 2020 18:40:40 GMT
rollinstone... I wasnt suggesting 'we' have the conversation on this forum!
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 23, 2020 19:02:07 GMT
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GAA president John Horan is hopeful the intercounty championships will go ahead later this year. File photograph: Inpho
GAA president John Horan is hopeful the intercounty championships will go ahead later this year. File photograph: Inpho
Seán Moran
45 minutes ago
0
GAA president John Horan has confirmed that the association supports the running of inter-county championships this year but if they are to take place, they won’t be held up to accommodate counties who find themselves in any coronavirus lockdown.
Until now the association had been reluctant to spell this out, believing it excessively negative to dwell on such an unpleasant reality but on RTÉ Radio 1’s This Week programme, Horan acknowledged the situation.
“I think everybody getting involved in this will actually take on board and we will have protocols in place that if a county goes down, because of the narrow timeframe in which we are running the competition, they will just have to step aside.”
He cited the last time this had happened - the 1941 hurling championship during the foot-and-mouth outbreak that year - as precedent.
“There is an acceptance. If you go back to the 40s, Tipperary and Kilkenny were removed from the All-Ireland championships for a very good reason - the foot and mouth problem - and people accepted that. It is going to be an unusual championship, and it will always be marked down if we do have winners that it was a championship in an unusual year.
“We will have to engage the GPA (Gaelic Players Association) as well in the whole area of the comfort of our inter-county players of actually getting involved in the championship.”
He reiterated the view from last week’s meeting of county chairs that the championships should go ahead.
“There are complexities but we are of the view that we should drive on and do it. The nation will need live sport on the television at the weekends when we go through the long evenings in the winter. If we as a national organisation can deliver that moral lift to the country, we won’t be found wanting.”
Read More
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 23, 2020 21:18:13 GMT
rollinstone... I wasnt suggesting 'we' have the conversation on this forum! Lol Mick! |
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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 23, 2020 21:19:22 GMT
I think we all agree we need to keep things tight, I don't have elderly relatives but I have elderly friends and like others I'd be considerate of everyone.
Having enjoyed immensely the games on TV overt the weekend I think I can do with this until this cursed thing passes. Sports is way down the list when we consider out healthcare workers and the vulnerable in society, and then those who have already suffered.
I know it sounds odd that people can watch a game in a pub but not go to the match, but I think the experts know best and I do think they are being straight with us. If games have to be cancelled we will have nothing and few enough I have been in touch with believe we will have have an All Ireland competition this year. I'd be delighted if we get back to some normality next year.
Tight discussions can be laced with misunderstanding, we often hear things that weren't said, and absence of tone of voice over the Internet doesn't help either! I find that when one reads between the lines of the various comments, we are all of a similar view as to how we should go about things - conspiracy issues are not so relevant to every day life and we must trust our leadership. I know political institutions have let us down, just like the Church, the Banks and most of all our own solicitors, but we are in damage limitation mode here.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 24, 2020 11:30:48 GMT
McConville sceptical of teams being asked to 'step aside'
Updated / Monday, 24 Aug 2020 10:25
'I think it encourages teams to hide Covid cases and that's certainly not what we want'
Inter-county teams being asked to "step aside" in light of positive Covid-19 tests may not be practical in reality, says Oisin McConville.
On Sunday, GAA president John Horan said that with a squeezed calendar this year in order to play out the 2020 championships, teams may have to forfeit their place in the event of an outbreak.
"I think everybody getting involved in this will actually take on board and we will have protocols in place that if a county goes down, because of the narrow time frame in which we are running the competition, they will just have to step aside," Horan told RTÉ Radio 1's This Week.
"There is an acceptance. If you go back to the 40s, Tipperary and Kilkenny were removed from the All-Ireland championships for a very good reason – the foot and mouth problem – and people accepted that."
However, speaking on Morning Ireland, the 2002 All-Ireland winner with Armagh can foresee issues with such a policy towards the business end of the season in particular.
"I think one of the dangerous things in the statement that John Horan made is that a county found to have a Covid case will be asked to step aside," he said. "I’m not sure it’s that practical.
"If you think of the latter ends of the championship, you think of Dublin going for six in a row, they will be very reluctant to step aside. I think it encourages teams to hide Covid cases and that’s certainly not what we want."
McConville insists it is "very important" that the championships do proceed and says the contribution of the GAA in such a difficult period cannot be underestimated.
"It’s been said over and over again that the GAA community has acted so well since the pandemic started, but sometimes that can sound quite patronising. It’s much, much more than that. They have led the way in many ways.
We want to make sure first and foremost that it's safe to play and safe to do so
"The fact that we are talking about a global pandemic, it’s important that all of the people that have a vested interest do the right thing.
"We want to make sure first and foremost that it’s safe to play and safe to do so."
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Post by southward on Aug 24, 2020 12:08:20 GMT
If one or more of the serious contenders had to step aside, the AI would be hugely devalued and pretty meaningless as a title. There's just not enough of them around. Could you really consider that you'd won an AI if, for instance, Dublin were gone?
If this is going to be the craic, we should forget about it altogether; maybe have some lesser tournament instead.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 24, 2020 12:35:09 GMT
Try telling a Louth man that the 1910 title is devalued.
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Post by southward on Aug 24, 2020 13:06:58 GMT
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Post by givehimaball on Aug 24, 2020 16:29:11 GMT
If one or more of the serious contenders had to step aside, the AI would be hugely devalued and pretty meaningless as a title. There's just not enough of them around. Could you really consider that you'd won an AI if, for instance, Dublin were gone? If this is going to be the craic, we should forget about it altogether; maybe have some lesser tournament instead. Horan's statement has made it clear that the GAA aren't going to forget about it. He made mention to back in the 1940s when Tipp and Kilkenny were removed from the competition because of foot-and-mouth. If the championship goes ahead there is a possibility that some counties will have to drop out. Horan has made clear that no allowances are going to be made for any team that has to drop out. If the choice was between there being no championship or one where 30 other counties had to stand aside and the 2020 championship ended up just being Kerry beating whatever one other county team was left standing in the final I'd take the second option all day long. The phrase "control the controllables" is one that I'd hope Peter Keane and the county lads are thinking hard about. The current schedule for All-Ireland is 7 weeks from tip to tail. Kerry's schedule to win it is Cork 7/8th November Munster Final 21st/22nd November All-Ireland Semi-Final 5th/6th December All-Ireland Semi-Final 19th December If I were a Kerry footballer I'd be planning on going into as close to full lockdown bar games, training and work/college for 3 weeks beforehand and the 7 weeks of the championship. I'd be asking my partner/girlfriend to do the same. Tell family/friends/neighbours that you'll see them after the 19th of December. At work, I'd be looking to stay away from co-workers and the public as much as possible. At 3rd level, I'd be looking to study for home/online as much as possible. Stay away from campuses as much as possible. Commute for lectures/exams as opposed to staying in student accommodation. Just nothing non-essential whatsoever. No exceptions. No matter what the regulations allow, go into isolation as much as possible. Even amongst your county team-mates, don't ease up. There might be some slight possibility a county might not have to drop out if there is one individual case in a panel, but if there are muliple cases in a county team I would imagine it would more-than-likely be curtains for that county given the schedule the GAA hopes to follow. Use the pain, annoyance, irritation of being locked-down as fuel. Adopt the mind-set that doing the bare minimum is a recipe for failure, doing the utter maximum is a road-map for success. |
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Post by jackiel on Aug 24, 2020 16:37:13 GMT
Jesus, you're not expecting much from them.
What about management and back room I suppose they should go into isolation also.
Would you or indeed could you do the same.
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Post by givehimaball on Aug 24, 2020 17:16:00 GMT
Jesus, you're not expecting much from them. What about management and back room I suppose they should go into isolation also. Would you or indeed could you do the same. I can say without a shade of a doubt if I were playing for Kerry this year I don't think I would have that much difficulty doing this. I'd be hopeful that they would already be in "championship mode" anyway and ignoring all outside distractions. From what I've seen Kerry players already make serious sacrifices in terms of hours, effort and energy to play for Kerry so I don't think that this would be that huge of an extra sacrifice, especially given the length of the championship this year. This year's championship is going to be finished in about 1/3 of the normal length of a championship. A lot of their time and focus is going to be taken up with matches, training and recovery anyway. They will also have work/3rd level to deal with. The championship if only 7 weeks long in entirety - during the months of November and the start of December, which are pretty quiet times of the year anyway [until the Christmas season starts] (and they are likely to be quieter than usual this year). Reduce the level of risk as much as possible all the time. Obviously management and back-room team should be doing the same. I've seen Kerry players being plagued around Killarney in previous years and Kerry players have spoken about the hassle/nuisance of everyone and their mother wanting to have a word leading up to championship games. COVID makes this even worse, because instead of just hearing the same guff and good wishes over and over all day, there is a chance (probably small for each indivudal meeting ) of infection. I'm not saying they should lock themselves in their houses - I'm basically saying avoid unnecessary interactions with people as much as possible. Don't just take a laissez-faire ad hoc approach to this, sit down as a team come up with a plan for reducing the risk as much as possible. Players and management can then tell everyone - I'm isolating to win Sam. If you have a squad of 30 and a backroom team of 10 and they cut down the number of people they meet in a day from 10 to 5 over 10 weeks that's reduction from 28,000 chances to be infected to 14,000 chances. These numbers are pulled out of the air but they illustrate the key point that reducing the number of interactions with people reduces the risk of being infected. |
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 24, 2020 17:41:00 GMT
with the foot and mouth in the 1940s in Tipp and Kilkenny, I am assuming those counties were in some sort of lockdown to contain the disease.
I assume if a county is in lockdown in Nov and Dec they wont be able to compete...
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Post by Whosinmidfield on Aug 24, 2020 19:29:22 GMT
with the foot and mouth in the 1940s in Tipp and Kilkenny, I am assuming those counties were in some sort of lockdown to contain the disease. I assume if a county is in lockdown in Nov and Dec they wont be able to compete... I remember reading somewhere that even if a county is in lockdown their inter county team can still train and compete in both the league and championship. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 20:42:11 GMT
Interesting case in Dublin over the weekend where a team refused to play as one of the opposition players had contracted the virus.
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Post by john4 on Aug 25, 2020 8:57:12 GMT
Interesting case in Dublin over the weekend where a team refused to play as one of the opposition players had contracted the virus. "Games and training sessions should not be cancelled due to the confirmation of positive Covid-19 case to a member of one of our clubs." 5 Limerick Clubs have recently ceased all Club activities due to suspected cases. There needs to be a national policy on how suspected cases are dealt with, and how confirmed cases are dealt with, it shouldn't be left to county by county governance. |
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Post by Ballyfireside on Aug 25, 2020 12:56:54 GMT
Interesting case in Dublin over the weekend where a team refused to play as one of the opposition players had contracted the virus. "Games and training sessions should not be cancelled due to the confirmation of positive Covid-19 case to a member of one of our clubs." 5 Limerick Clubs have recently ceased all Club activities due to suspected cases. There needs to be a national policy on how suspected cases are dealt with, and how confirmed cases are dealt with, it shouldn't be left to county by county governance. People also need to use their own common sense and this is part 'n' parcel of the guidance, guidelines are guidelines, we need to read between the lines! What Micheál Martin says or doesn't won't make a difference if we are in hospital sick! I just read of a doctor recovering from it who says it grips ever organ, also leaves permanent damage, including to the heart of under 40s. Ah yes, it is only a tiny chance, but that hardly justifies sport, and that tiny chance mightn't be so tiny come the bad weather which has the cursed thing thrive. I just hope someone casts all this up to me at some stage and when hopefully we have a way through it, and says I was over cautious. Getting kids back to school is now the big one and a few countries have had difficulty with this. I accept it is easier for me as I don't have too many so close that are vulnerable so maybe that influences my view, still by the same token I fear for a mother and father sending their children out to school over the coming weeks. I also fear for the aged and many of who are already victims of rural isolation, in a way that helps but they must still shop, etc and it is a different story if they fall ill. I know of one such couple who's entire family had to emigrate to US, and then the local solicitor confiscated whatever they had, shares etc. These folk pride of their independence - such an old man once told his son in law that 'the only way I am moving from here is in a box', i.e. refused to move in with them! Same bucko was 96 last month and had plenty to say of the 2 great games on TV last weekend, still teaching the likes of me and am I the willing scholar! |
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Post by rollingstone on Aug 25, 2020 17:20:03 GMT
If one or more of the serious contenders had to step aside, the AI would be hugely devalued and pretty meaningless as a title. There's just not enough of them around. Could you really consider that you'd won an AI if, for instance, Dublin were gone? If this is going to be the craic, we should forget about it altogether; maybe have some lesser tournament instead. Horan's statement has made it clear that the GAA aren't going to forget about it. He made mention to back in the 1940s when Tipp and Kilkenny were removed from the competition because of foot-and-mouth. If the championship goes ahead there is a possibility that some counties will have to drop out. Horan has made clear that no allowances are going to be made for any team that has to drop out. If the choice was between there being no championship or one where 30 other counties had to stand aside and the 2020 championship ended up just being Kerry beating whatever one other county team was left standing in the final I'd take the second option all day long. The phrase "control the controllables" is one that I'd hope Peter Keane and the county lads are thinking hard about. The current schedule for All-Ireland is 7 weeks from tip to tail. Kerry's schedule to win it is Cork 7/8th November Munster Final 21st/22nd November All-Ireland Semi-Final 5th/6th December All-Ireland Semi-Final 19th December If I were a Kerry footballer I'd be planning on going into as close to full lockdown bar games, training and work/college for 3 weeks beforehand and the 7 weeks of the championship. I'd be asking my partner/girlfriend to do the same. Tell family/friends/neighbours that you'll see them after the 19th of December. At work, I'd be looking to stay away from co-workers and the public as much as possible. At 3rd level, I'd be looking to study for home/online as much as possible. Stay away from campuses as much as possible. Commute for lectures/exams as opposed to staying in student accommodation. Just nothing non-essential whatsoever. No exceptions. No matter what the regulations allow, go into isolation as much as possible. Even amongst your county team-mates, don't ease up. There might be some slight possibility a county might not have to drop out if there is one individual case in a panel, but if there are muliple cases in a county team I would imagine it would more-than-likely be curtains for that county given the schedule the GAA hopes to follow. Use the pain, annoyance, irritation of being locked-down as fuel. Adopt the mind-set that doing the bare minimum is a recipe for failure, doing the utter maximum is a road-map for success. That is a quite breathtaking proposal there. Well intentioned no doubt but is this really what GAA players are going to be reduced to? |
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