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IT’S NEARLY TWO weeks since the public were told by health experts that if they are attending bars, restaurants and other indoor environments with multiple households they should consider using antigen tests a number of times a week.
Activities classed as “higher risk activities” don’t just include attendance at bars, restaurants, nightclubs, but also going to the cinema, visiting multiple homes, participating in indoor contact sports, as well as car sharing with people.
The recommendation was contained in a letter dated 11 November from CMO Dr Tony Holohan to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, but the Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing had actually discussed the proposal of regular antigen testing as far back as September.
Despite the level of concern from government over the hospital figures and rising case numbers, and sense that further action needs to be taken to avert an even greater crisis, there is still no detail on when members of the public might be able to get their hands on antigen tests at subsidised prices.
At the end of October, The Journal reported that the Irish Pharmacy Union and the HSE had entered preliminary talks about the distribution of antigen tests to the wider public.
Government sources at the time confirmed that it was unlikely that the antigen tests would be free, and that there would be a “nominal fee”.
While the talks then were described as being in the early phase, nearly two weeks later that it was revealed that the government was looking at the matter seriously, with a view to subsidising the cost of antigen tests to help people purchase them at a lower price.
It all appeared to be full-steam ahead for that plan.
That was until it emerged that the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan had urged the Government not to provide subsidised antigen tests, warning the move could lead to an increase, rather than a decrease, in Covid-19 cases.
As one senior government source put it, “it is no secret that Tony is far from a fan of antigen tests”.
This letter was viewed as one last-ditch effort to get his viewpoint across, and was dispatched by the CMO despite the government seeking no further advice on the matter.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly indicated last week that he planned to bring proposals to Cabinet on the rollout of subsidised antigen tests, as well as how much it all might cost, to this week’s Cabinet meeting.
However, to the surprise of many, no such memo was brought.
So, what’s the hold up?
That was the question posed to the Taoiseach during Leaders’ Questions yesterday, with Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall stating that the lack of urgency was “truly shocking”.
While one antigen test can cost less than €10, a pack of five can cost up to €30.
Shortall said antigen tests are a “vital tool” but many can’t afford them, stating that there is a strong case for them to be free.
She asked when the public can expect to hear about a decision being made and what the cost for each antigen test will be.
The Taoiseach dodged the questions during Leaders’ Questions, giving no firm timeline.
“There is a scheme being developed but we have to get best value as well for the public purse. It is important that we just do not dive into it,” he said.
On Tuesday, reporters at the weekly post-Cabinet briefing also questioned what was going on behind the scenes.
The government spokesperson said work was ongoing and they were in talks with all stakeholders such as the pharmacies, as well as retailers and supermarkets.
But again, no deadline was given as to when a final sign off would be done.
Asked again when the plan for subsidised tests would be given the green light, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday night that he hoped discussions would be wrapped up and details brought to Cabinet by the end of the week or at next week’s Cabinet meeting.
Speaking to his party members at the parliamentary party meeting last night he said the subsidised antigen testing system should be finalised by Tuesday.
Varadkar has indicated that the cost of an individual test it is likely to be between €2 and €4.
Those in government circles have denied that the letter from Holohan warning government off a subsidised scheme was the reason for the delay, but insisted there were details that still need to be worked out.
It is understood that since those representations were made by the CMO, considerations have been given to making sure that if someone is buying an antigen test, a staff member consults with the member of the public about why they are purchasing it, how they should using it, and also ensure that they aren’t taking the test if they are symptomatic.
Holohan has said he is concerned about symptomatic people, who should be presenting for a PCR test, taking an antigen test.
While such a consultation often happens when someone is buying certain over the counter medicines from a pharmacist, there are concerns that such an interaction would not happen if someone were buying a subsidised antigen test from a large supermarket.
While it has been confirmed that that is one idea being put forward, those in senior positions are concerned such a proposal is too complicated and have questioned if such a consultation is needed.
Contracts are still to be signed off, senior sources said. Discussions are also underway as to whether medical card holders should get the tests for free.
So when can people expect to hear the details of the plan?
While there are hopes that it may happen this week it’s more likely a decision will be signed off next Tuesday – which will be nearly three weeks after the public were told they should engage in regular antigen testing if going out and about.
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Someone slap her with a fish
and her mother while they’re at it
Poor fish
Bristol Palin; single parent, teen abstinence advocate and Dancing with the Stars contestant.
Lectures President Obama.
the cats even got my tongue there, touché sir
Aww,just like her mommy,brain the size of a pea
That’s an awful exaggeration, it’s far small than a pea.
smaller*. Oh the irony, it’s unbearable!
I’ve known peas that have better attitudes…
“We know that in general kids do better growing up in a mother/father home” says the single mother
So this girl, who has no political clout and only has a famous mother decides that her view is right whilst his is wrong? Did she not do her homework and discover that Obama has always had the same stance? The journal found that out! http://www.thejournal.ie/video-how-obama-went-from-supporting-gay-marriage-to-supporting-gay-marriage-445982-May2012/
Mike i totally disagree with you about hitting her with a fish, what did the fish ever do to you?
Good man Dirtybollox, you really put him in his plaice
I don’t know about hitting her with a fish, but id certainly hit that, to use an Americanism.
I sea what you did there.
The only thing stupider than a Sarah Palin is the opinionated adolescent model.
Can you IMAGINE the damage that moron coulda done if she’d gotten within an ass’s roar of power over there?
The planet by this stage would probably be a glowing radioactive cinder orbiting the sun.
Agreed! slap her and her mother with a rotten wet fish and then build a border around Alaska. “In general kids do better growing up in a mother/father home”!!!!!!! That’s weird, my two children were A students, well developed, confident young people living with their mother in a one parent family. I wonder how that happened! Someone, please shut her up!
“…and then build a border around Alaska. ”
I think Canada may already have that one covered.
“Teenage mother lectures US president on morality”
That girl is so thick and homophobic a few times she has made remarks against gay people. I wonder if she is actually gay and thats why she finds them so threatening.
How many people voted for Bristol Palin again? Oh that’s right – no one! Also, the bible once encouraged women to be stoned for being unclean after their period, but after thousands of years of ‘evolving’ no one thinks that’s a great idea anymore. What was written by hermetic nut jobs in the desert thousands of years ago is hardly a blueprint for life in 2012; unless of course you’re from Alaska
Jesus but she has a head like a melted basin, and by the sounds of things a brain to match. The sad thing is that there are Americans who will listen to this tube!!!
What do you expect from someone called Bristol?
What a silly, immature girl..she still needs a lot of growing up to do. No doubt her mother is proud of her offspring.
shes the picture beside stupid in the dictionary . . .
Obviously brainwashed by her freaky Bible bashing mother. Good man Obama i hope you get another 4 years.
Mark – Is it possible for “liberal” parents to brainwash their children, or does that only happen when you disagree with their position?
Religion should be a personnel thing, don’t force it at people, like the Palins do. I agree with obama’s comments, we are all citizens and tax payers we all should have equal rights. Palins view on this is just like Romneys to religious freaks that should keep religion out of politics.
Isn’t she a single mom. A teenage single mom. How could she even make a comment like that that kids do better in a mom/dad home!!!
Maybe she read some of the research?
Or, just maybe, her experience as a teenage single mother (in much more privileged circumstances than others) has influenced her perspective???
It’s quite possible to accept that the circumstances of one’s life are not ideal, and still hold up the ideal as something to strive for. Personally I think that such a position is a mature and reflective one.
A single mom.
Shock horror. Scarlet woman.
Burn her at the stake.
I’m a newly single mother myself so I get it. What I meant is its not always the best thing for male/female parents to be in a home. What if there is abuse or neglect. Should the couple stay together just because statistics say its best. There is no reason why kids that grow up in a single parent home or male/male female/female home cannot have as good a life as those in a female/male home. I was referring to the fact that as a teenage single mother it wasn’t really thinking to make a statement like that!! If that was the case she and her baby’s dad should have remained together no matter the circumstances otherwise her child’s life is not going to be good and that is utter crap!!
What research would that be AlMar? The research that states emphatically that in terms of social, emotional and physical development kids with same-sex parents are no different from kids of ‘traditional’ (for want of a better term) families?
While entitled to her opinion, I for one see no value in it. Just a flippant homophobic remark about how Obama makes up his mind. Her ideas will appeal to people who are against gay marriage and highlight her as someone to ignore to everyone else.
Thanks paul I agree
What a plank.
The fact is the human has been around for a lot longer than the false religion and it’s false values that these people use to keep others down.
So that’s your answer!
Sorry Stefan, but that answers nothing.
What basis do you have for declaring anything to be false?
There are a lot of people who believe that you have your truth and I have my truth. Are they all wrong?
I get the impression that you would fight with yourself so I’m out!
He really would you know ;) Seems like a bit of a religious nut to me……
Emsy Wemsy: Are you referring to me???
Where did I bring religion in to this?? As far as I can see, the only ones to bring religion into it are those who criticised Palin. She herself didn’t even mention it.
Again, another example of attacking the person rather than engaging with the argument. Play the man and not the ball please.
Bristol Palin is a pillock, like her mother. Discuss.
Yup, a religious nut troll.
Pat Ryan handed him and Palin their ass on a plate hours ago but he had no reply -better to decry liberalism and tolerance as some sort of fascism instead of admitting defeat
Paul – where did I mention religion in this debate? Please show me.
In relation to the Pat Ryan comment, it did not need a response. The comments at the start of the story speak for themselves. The intolerance of the so-called “tolerant” is on full display throughout all of the comments – the mistakes of a teenage girl are held against her and somehow they supposedly invalidate her opinions.
The was uproar about Michelle Mulherin using the word fornication a couple of weeks ago. I’m no apologist for her at all, but imagine if she dismissed someone’s contribution to a debate on marriage by reference to her single motherhood. There would be uproar.
How is this different?
Come on Almar you know as well as everyone else here that your orthodox views precede your expression. Anyone who has ever bothered to click once or twice on any article that pertains a discussion on morality, religious or otherwise knows this.
Where did I mention religion in relation to THIS story? Religious belief has nothing to do with this story really.
I love it when people like her get famous through no endeavour of their own and they think that everyone should listen to their dull and rather boring rhetoric about any old subject that Mommy says is wrong.
I for one advocate that she should be allowed to continue to make an arse of herself. The simple reason being that Bill Hicks is dead and I haven’t laughed this hard since then! Incidentally, he would have made mince meat of her!
She has no relevance social, political or otherwise. She is just a daft wee lassie who has too much privilege at her finger tips. I think the next TV show she should sign up for is “Base Jumping with Stars”. Sorry just my Darwinian fantasy!
Oh and btw who cares if gay people get married…more power to them!
Bill could’ve used her in his goatboy sketch….and in fact,I think that’s exactly what he would’ve done with both mother and daughter. Goatboy would have a field day. Rip bill,a true comedy genius
oooh four red thumbs for my previous comment. That must mean Sarah, Bristol (great comedy name), her illegitimate child and the absent father read The Journal…
@AlMar
I have no interest in criticising “Bristol pathetic name Palin” for being a fool I criticise the mother for being an attention seeking lunatic and teaching her daughter to hold strong views based upon false values the very fact is these crazy people have followers and need to be condemned when they spout this bulshit.
Stefan: On what basis do you say that the values are “false”? How can any values be “false”?
You may disagree with them, but that doesn’t make those values “false”.
What remarkable “tolerance” you all show to Bristol Palin.
It’s convenient to belittle her as a “single mother” when it suits; imagine if a priest or bishop labelled someone as a single mother and dismissed them on that basis. And this from some of the same people who went apoplectic at the mere mention of the word “fornication” a few weeks ago…
I think it’s her double standards that people have a problem with here.
She talks about changing “thousands of years of thinking about marriage”, although she clearly doesn’t subscribe to the old ways of thinking about marriage and sex herself.
How do you know that there are double standards at work? Isn’t that a remarkably judgmental statement?
Perhaps she regrets becoming a teenage mother, and given the difficulties involved, she recognises that this is not the absolutely ideal scenario???
Maybe she has learned from her experience?
I am assuming that a lot of people here would describe themselves as “tolerant” or “liberal”. (Forgive me if that assumption is wrong). Well, there is precious little tolerance or understanding for this teenaged mother, and all because she dares to express an opinion that is contrary to the “liberal” consensus. How dare she, the brazen hussy!!
The double standards stem from her having sex outside of marriage and then lecturing people about adhering to traditional views of marriage.
Then there is also her dismissal of the views of the president’s 13- and 11-year old daughters. Is it because younger people’s views are totally invalid? If that’s the case then how can she believe that her view (as a 21-year old) is more valid than the president’s view (a 50-year old).
James, how do you know that she is having sex outside marriage?
We know that she HAD sex outside marriage in the past. Big deal! Do you know what she is doing today? Do you know the state of her thinking on the issue right now? Perhaps she just learned from her past??
But I go back to my original point – if a priest or bishop dismissed somebody’s opinion on the basis that they were a single mother, the sky would fall on them – this site would be filled with bitter criticism (and perhaps rightly so). But somehow it becomes acceptable to condemn a single mother when it’s convenient to disagree with them?
“judge not, that ye may not be judged;” quote taken from her own set of beliefs
I wasn’t trying to suggest that she is still having sex – I was referring to her having had sex outside of marriage.
I’m not condemning her – I have zero problem with having sex outside of marriage. What I do have a problem with is someone imposing their moral beliefs on other people despite herself not adhering to the moral code from which her beliefs stem.
James – maybe she adheres to that moral code now? Do we lose all right to speak on an issue simply because we sometimes fail to live up to our own standards from time to time?
You mention “imposing moral beliefs”. I don’t see where she has done that in this story.
No one’s condemning her for being a single mother. They are pointing out the hypocrisy inherent in her being a single mother while holding up the two parent ideal. By her own reasoning, she should be married off as quickly as possible. That obviously hasn’t happened, so she therefore either can’t find anyone willing to marry her(Unlikely: She is wealthy, healthy and fertile.) or truly believes that having parents that love each other is more important for children than having two parents and she is holding out. If parents loving each other is more important than having two parents, why is it suddenly less important if both parents are the same gender? That’s a pretty glaring flaw in her argument.
But of course rather than acknowledge that hypocrisy you’d rather just pretend it doesn’t exist and attack people and call them all intolerant because three of the fourteen comments (I’m not counting replies to the previous comments because I don’t know when they were posted. And if I did it would only help my point anyway) prior to yours point out that she is a single mother. And of those three absolutely none say her opinion is invalid because of it, or say that being a single mother is a bad thing. Seriously, go through those previous comments and actually find me a quote stating it’s bad to be a single parent. You won’t find one, because it isn’t there.
Al, she is seeking to impose her moral beliefs on others by advocating a prohibition on same sex marriage.
Troll, troll, troll!!!
TROLL!!
#justsaying
With a mother like mrs Palin you could only expect the daughter to be influenced in this way. And the very fact she is called “Bristol” a real trash name need I say more.
So now we judge people we disagree with on the basis that they have “trash” names over which they have no control?
I think Stefan just through the name in at the end because it adds to the ridiculousness. Stick to the first point he made.
Threw,not through….
Dear Palins ,
It’s time for you to face 21st century changes !
If there is not a reason to change thousands of years of marriage ! You should start a course “”how to e a great housewife “” The sexual revolution in the 60′s Changed thousands of years of mentality ;-) and it did work pretty well ! Otherwise nobody wouldn’t even know of your existence ;-)
Hope in 50 from now your gay son/daughter will be running for presidency !
Yours sincerely
The Palins have 1st edition signed copies of The Crucible, but for all the wrong reasons. They will never find their way into the 21st century. Religious bigots have a unique way of negating the present for what they most likely perceive as the garden of eden of the past. A past in which their orthodox views held sway and those unlike them were cast out by the wayside.
Thankfully such repugnant individuals are no longer in the majority, however that does not stop them visiting their malignant minds upon those of us who live in the present.
The apple does not fall far from the tree….
Stupid girl with a stupid name.
Any one who had doubts about Gay Marraige has been taken off the fence. Thanks Bristol…
My earlier comment of ‘single mom, shock horror, burn her at the stake’., was an attempt at irony which clearly didn’t get through.
My views are far from those.
I’ll try harder next time.
Conventional marriage is the way to go.
Husband, Wife and children with nice Christian names like Bristol, Track and young brother Combine Harvester.
Yes, it’s far preferable that he told Sasha and Malia that he would be selling them to their husband at the age of 13, after which they wouldn’t be able to work outside the home or own property. Because that’s what’s been traditional for hundreds of years.
Somebody got caught up in a ball of wool
No one would criticize a young girl for getting pregnant out of wedlock but in the case of Bristol Palin, an over indulged, spoiled daughter of a complete nut job…she should keep her stupid mouth shut, keep her stupid opinions within the walls of her nut house home and just get on with raising her son as a single parent.
The Palin clan are trolls
have your say