Messages

1

General discussion / Re: Teachers get it handy!

« on: January 07, 2021, 04:05:56 PM »

I seen the following tweet from Jayne McCormack (BBC) earlier:

“The social engineering being put forward by Sinn Fein, the Sdlp and alliance party has to stop,” - @DUPleader
 doesn’t rule out deploying cross-community vote tomorrow if SF call a vote on the transfer test, and she hopes UUP would “see the need to protect academic selection”

Why would unionists be more inclined to retain academic selection? I had assumed nationalists (with pressure from CCMS) would have had more affinity to academic selection and the retention of grammar schools.

2

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: December 05, 2020, 09:10:52 PM »

FF and FG would rather enter a coalition together than share info with SF, even in a pandemic. The DUP and SF in the north have both stated from the beginning they had been disappointed that formation had not been shared in relation to lockdowns and strategy.

3

General discussion / Re: The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

« on: December 02, 2020, 10:31:22 AM »

Angelo has been windmilling every thread he’s in. McIlroy is a busted flush apparently, constantly making a **** of himself in the covid threads and the Tyrone threads. Detests Neil Lennon because he’s from Lurgan.  He’s 90% WUM.

I'm actually right and that seems to be the issue people have with me.

No, there's plenty others on here who have said the same as you, yet they don't get the same reaction off people.

It's not what your saying that makes people think you are a C**k. It's how you say it and how often you say it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_test

4

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 25, 2020, 08:56:23 AM »

I had been tracking that number when things were beginning to get worse, around September time but noticed that while yesterdays headline figure was 445 by today that same inpatients number for yesterdays date could have increased - a reporting lag issue, therefore you need to be looking at it a number of days behind.

For example, Monday's dashboard had an inpatient number of 438 but when you look at yesterday's dashboard it shows that Monday actually had 482 inpatients.

5

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 24, 2020, 03:22:32 PM »

Your opinion based on what? Tell me what hasn't been done re ICU surge beds, staff levels, running Covid alongside other acute ailments for example since, say May / June (the last 6 months) when we had a better handle on this pandemic? What would you like to have seen done bearing in mind the state of the NHS (pre pandemic)?

My opinion based on the fact that we are in the same position we were in in March. That's it, no peer reviewed independent study - and very possibly absolute BS, however I am not able to access information outlining what has been done in the interim period to reduce the risk.

The previous restrictions (October) had reduced the daily numbers by circa 50% however this was still insufficient for our health service not to be overrun. We have the infrastructure to deal with those levels but it appears that the issue is around staffing.

I would just be interested in understanding what if anything has been done to address those issues, and have outlined my own thoughts on possibilities - which may again be entirely unrealistic;

- testing staff so that excess numbers of staff aren't off self isolating when they do not have the virus
- Overseas recruitment/repatriation
- Using other health service staff to carry out non-clinical tasks

But we're not.

Surge beds are in place so no one is turned away (hopefully)

Other acute procedures are now being carried out alongside Covid treatment

Re staff, the kitchen sink has been thrown at this shortage. The NHS was short staffed before Covid, with staff isolating etc

You're opinion is not based on fact

So why then 10 days ago is the health minister saying "no hospital will turn away a Covid-19 patient but people with other serious illness may have to wait for treatment." (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-54934000)

What is the kitchen sink? What has been done and what results have been achieved?

What you are telling me does not appear to align with the message that we had to enter a further lockdown this weekend to protect our health service. Numbers were falling significantly but we are told it wasn't enough to stop our hospitals being overrun - now if the equipment is there as it appears to be it must be a staffing issue.

I will freely admit I do not have all the facts however I would also assert that all the facts are not available to the public.

To be clear I do not disagree with the revised regulations which come in on Friday, in the most part but I would be extremely interested in the medium/long term plan and whether it is just simply to wait on the vaccine roll out - if so that's particularity tough on those people identified in the article above and business owners who still await assistance from the same government.

6

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 24, 2020, 01:53:01 PM »

Your opinion based on what? Tell me what hasn't been done re ICU surge beds, staff levels, running Covid alongside other acute ailments for example since, say May / June (the last 6 months) when we had a better handle on this pandemic? What would you like to have seen done bearing in mind the state of the NHS (pre pandemic)?

My opinion based on the fact that we are in the same position we were in in March. That's it, no peer reviewed independent study - and very possibly absolute BS, however I am not able to access information outlining what has been done in the interim period to reduce the risk.

The previous restrictions (October) had reduced the daily numbers by circa 50% however this was still insufficient for our health service not to be overrun. We have the infrastructure to deal with those levels but it appears that the issue is around staffing.

I would just be interested in understanding what if anything has been done to address those issues, and have outlined my own thoughts on possibilities - which may again be entirely unrealistic;

- testing staff so that excess numbers of staff aren't off self isolating when they do not have the virus
- Overseas recruitment/repatriation
- Using other health service staff to carry out non-clinical tasks

7

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 24, 2020, 11:33:08 AM »

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/11/24/news/leaked-photographs-expose-impact-of-nursing-shortages-on-nightingale--2139404/

"LEAKED photographs from inside Northern Ireland's Nightingale hospital have revealed some wards are being used as storage spaces - amid claims others remain unopened due to severe nursing shortages."

So when we are being told that our hospitals are being overrun what is really the issue is that the hospital staff are being overrun.

I agree that we absolutely needed a further lockdown due to the current trends, however my biggest issue is the lack of information from government - the 'we're all in this together' narrative got tired quite a while ago.

I would like to understand what is being done now to forward plan for future 'surges' because from what I can see there had been nothing done during the summer by the department.

- testing of staff on a regular basis
- short term contracts for staff from overseas
- streamline the existing pool to increase bed levels

these are things that I would hope are being looked at amongst others and I would like our journalists to be asking these questions.

It is relatively easy to rent a big shed and put beds in it, but staff are not so easily found. The only benefit of another building might be the segregation of Covid patients from non Covid patients. Staff from overseas are not a great option as Covid is widespread and staff are needed everywhere else also. Streamlining the existing stock is mostly a case of cancelling less vital procedures and increasing waiting lists.

I realise that - so that then begs the question if we were unable to staff it why 'build' it.

If it is due to staff self isolating then can better testing assist with this - i.e. not have staff self isolating as they have been deemed a close contact but instead test.

We appear to be an attractive option for overseas staff previously in the nursing profession, are those countries now retaining those staff?

What is being done to repatriate staff as highlighted by JC?

Are there tasks carried out by nurses currently that could be carried out by auxiliary staff in the short term to reduced the ratio of nurses per ward - can doctors/consultants be tasked with nursing roles in certain circumstances due to staff levels?

IMHO sweet fuk all has been done for the past 9 months except fire fighting, we had a lull in the Summer months where we should have been looking at contingency planning for staff levels, we didn't. We are where we are but my worry is that if we can reduce the levels to a more palatable level again that we will spend that period back slapping and eating out to help out while we await a further surge ad nauseum until a vaccine is rolled out.

8

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 24, 2020, 10:29:36 AM »

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/11/24/news/leaked-photographs-expose-impact-of-nursing-shortages-on-nightingale--2139404/

"LEAKED photographs from inside Northern Ireland's Nightingale hospital have revealed some wards are being used as storage spaces - amid claims others remain unopened due to severe nursing shortages."

So when we are being told that our hospitals are being overrun what is really the issue is that the hospital staff are being overrun.

I agree that we absolutely needed a further lockdown due to the current trends, however my biggest issue is the lack of information from government - the 'we're all in this together' narrative got tired quite a while ago.

I would like to understand what is being done now to forward plan for future 'surges' because from what I can see there had been nothing done during the summer by the department.

- testing of staff on a regular basis
- short term contracts for staff from overseas
- streamline the existing pool to increase bed levels

these are things that I would hope are being looked at amongst others and I would like our journalists to be asking these questions.

9

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 20, 2020, 11:58:19 AM »

The problem with the government is the planning - zero guidance and making decisions at the last minute.
All because they are incompetent pricks.

Make no mistake the green and orange is the problem here - but sure at the next election nothing will change.

I think a government where the main party are neutral could go quite well.

This lockdown is nothing like the one in March because schools are open - biggest spreader of Covid.

And whisper it quietly............if a child if off school because of Covid or isolatio,n teachers have been told to mark the child in as present.
The attendance records wont look as bad and we will not have a clear view of the amount of kids off school.
Nice one Mr Weir

Where is your evidence firstly that schools are biggest spreaders and secondly that they are marking people present?

What we do know but is that the official figures on death arent right because certs are not accurate!

I will find it for you.

In the meantime its great to see the numbers drop during the current lockdown isnt it?

They have dropped - not to where they need to be but they are about half of what they were last month.

What is the solution? Close all schools? For how long? Try and make the time up later in the year or just accept it as collateral damage?

10

General discussion / Re: China Coronavirus

« on: November 20, 2020, 11:41:26 AM »

I have no doubt schools and third level education are having an impact on the number of cases, however I have yet to see any proposals to help manage that better, because as far as I understand every kid has a right to an education, on top of that and unfortunately, school is the only safe place for a large number of kids and somewhere they can get a decent meal.

I asked the following on the teachers thread with no response;

"From a secondary teacher's experience, does blended learning work? Does it negatively affect kids from (for want of a better term) a lower socio economic background to a greater degree?

Has anything been done to facilitate future blended learning since returning to school full time?"

Those in the private sector have had to evolve to survive and what is clear is that even that evolution of businesses has not been enough as they face in to another lock down. However in the public sector there appears (this is directed at unions) to be a 'not my job' attitude. Our politicians have time and time again made it clear that they have no desire to close schools again, therefore if the teaching unions as they would have you believe are actually interested in the H&S of their staff what innovative or otherwise approached have they proposed to make their work environment safer?

11

General discussion / Re: Teachers get it handy!

« on: November 03, 2020, 09:13:31 AM »

So now ( in the North ) we can't take anymore than 15 pupils outside for non contact Pe but the same pupils, who will be in the same bubble, can go outside for break and lunch in numbers of more than 15 ?
Schools in the North received this gem this morning at 9.10.
2 weeks off and not a word and then they land this on a Monday morning .
They are just making this up as they go along.

And they tell us we are back in school cos there’s little evidence of the virus spreading in school..

According to them it’s not safe to play outside together for 30minutes but safe to sit together in close contact for the remainder of the day

They know fine well that that virus can spread in schools but they want parents able to go to their work..

Maybe some of 'they' want an education for all children.

12

General discussion / Re: Teachers get it handy!

« on: October 27, 2020, 12:47:12 PM »

I would have thought not - it appears to me that they have decided 2 weeks in the magic number, as such the end of term holiday should suffice. I would have thought if we are in a similar position by next mid term they would look at the extra week but by then it could hardly be recovered.

From a secondary teacher's experience, does blended learning work? Does it negatively affect kids from (for want of a better term) a lower socio economic background to a greater degree?

Has anything been done to facilitate future blended learning since returning to school full time?

13

General discussion / Re: Teachers get it handy!

« on: October 27, 2020, 12:14:30 PM »

They said 2 weeks off school then said it'd take two weeks to see any benefit so how do you reassess at the end of two weeks...

If you're back then the time off was likely a waste of time. They'd need to be telling people soon though.

In relation to the north I see nothing further to the following press release;

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/statement-education-minister-peter-weir-covid-19-restrictions

Out of interest for those advocating against returning to school, what would that look like? Would you propose a blended learning set up - is that achievable? Assume if you are to propose such a thing there would still need to be some face to face time? Would such a set up in your opinion or experience lead to a 'class divide' as has been mentioned by commentators previously?

Is there any amount of acceptable risk, and mitigation against same? Or is the consensus that zero risk should be accepted?

With the ICU beds at a minimum then the risks are very high at the moment, some are advocating for acceptable deaths/risks but 2 weeks when the rest of the place is closed for 4 weeks seems to be a bit daft

I assume the intent was that as it is not an extra week holiday but is to be made up throughout the year (I think?) that any more than an extra week is unachievable.

I am not advocating anything, only attempting to understand what might that acceptable risk be, if Covid is going to remain for the remainder of the school year what should be done? Surely it is not conceivable that schools be shut for that time therefore what is the alternative? A 'firebreak' each term?

For me, until there is something put in place that allows for social distancing in schools, we are kidding ourselves that we can get a handle on Covid.
On top of that, we will continue to have pupils & teachers out of school in their droves on a conveyor belt of isolation. A natural blended learning manifests itself then.

It appears to me that this is the current position, try and muddle through as best we can.

14

General discussion / Re: Teachers get it handy!

« on: October 27, 2020, 11:47:34 AM »

They said 2 weeks off school then said it'd take two weeks to see any benefit so how do you reassess at the end of two weeks...

If you're back then the time off was likely a waste of time. They'd need to be telling people soon though.

In relation to the north I see nothing further to the following press release;

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/statement-education-minister-peter-weir-covid-19-restrictions

Out of interest for those advocating against returning to school, what would that look like? Would you propose a blended learning set up - is that achievable? Assume if you are to propose such a thing there would still need to be some face to face time? Would such a set up in your opinion or experience lead to a 'class divide' as has been mentioned by commentators previously?

Is there any amount of acceptable risk, and mitigation against same? Or is the consensus that zero risk should be accepted?

15

Down / Re: Down Club Hurling & Football

« on: October 20, 2020, 12:28:15 PM »

A serious question which might create a bit of debate! Hurling is a fantastic sport especially at the top level but for dual clubs is it really hard to balance hurling and football? Does hurling hamper hamper football or vice versa. In terms of SFC Kilcoo, Burren, Ford and the Bridge would be recognised as our most successful clubs, they do not have hurling, Is there a correlation? If Liatroim concentrated at one code where would they be at it? Certainly not in division 3 in football!
Should there not be a Mourne hurling club? Camogie seems very strong in that area.

In your opinion, and an opinion I assume based on recent senior football championship roll of honour.

It all depends on your bench mark. I am extremely proud of our ability in the most part to either field or contribute to teams in 4 different codes, as well as provide an outlet for around 40 under 5s in the fundamentals programme each Sunday morning (in the Summer months), and in what we as a club have provided by way of facilities to the local community.

As primarily a football man I would love nothing more than a senior championship win however notwithstanding that I believe I am a member of a very successful club.

As i stated "In terms of SFC Kilcoo, Burren, Ford and the Bridge would be recognised as our most successful clubs", in terms of providing facilities to communities and outlets for underage then I would say that 95% of clubs within our county our very successful. What i want to know do you think is hurling or football hampering your chances being more successful in terms of silverware. Would you sacrifice your hurling team to win a Frank O'Hare cup?

Apologies, you did. Also it was not intended to be a antagonistic response however it may read that way.

Would you sacrifice your hurling team to win a Frank O'Hare cup?

No, I wouldn't.

do you think is hurling or football hampering your chances being more successful in terms of silverware

I honestly don't believe that in terms of SFC we would be more successful if we were not a dual club (men) however there is no doubt it is a balancing act at underage, whereby due to playing numbers most age groups have an overlap and as such you may have a player playing 2 age grades and 2 sports, therefore 4 teams. As an U17 management we had our lads for 1hr a week (plus match) and that was after their 45 min/ 1hr of hurling, done in an effort to ensure parents weren't having to travel to the club every night. But I still believe that any excuse around lack of success due to dual status is only that, an excuse.

One for yourself, last year at U16 you had 2 teams entered in the A league I believe, both of whom walked their division - serious amount of talent coming through. While its a nice problem to have, how do you keep those 30-40 lads involved with the club through in to adulthood, and with such success where does the (for want of a better term) mediocre player fit in?