Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Abiha closing out the 2024 Late Late Toy Show with All I Want For Christmas Is You Andres Poveda/RTÉ

As it happened: Toy Show brings songs and stories, surprise guests and goat yoga

The Journal was liveblogging all the best moments from the show.

LAST UPDATE | 7 Dec 2024

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS, ANOTHER Late Late Toy Show – this time, themed around the classic Christmas film Home Alone.

We got goat yoga, tractors, fart guns, Minecraft, sparkly slime, musical numbers, storytelling, and surprise guest appearances by singer Jazzy, aeronautical engineer Norah Patten, Olympians Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley and rugby star Johnny Sexton.

The Journal liveblogged all of the best moments, from the funny to the cringe to the heartstring-pulling.

Good evening to all the kids and big kids tuning in to the Toy Show this evening!

Lauren Boland here. The last liveblog I did before this one was about the general election results – tonight’s news should hopefully be a lot more upbeat, though perhaps just as chaotic.

We’ll be liveblogging the show (and social media reactions to it) this evening, so watch along with us for this most Christmassy of broadcasts.

250 children are taking part in the show this evening as performers and toy testers to bring us music, dance, and lots of toy demonstrations.

The main theme this year is the 1990 film Home Alone, so we’re expecting to see an opening number with its fair share of mayhem. 

RTÉ has promised “plenty of mischief with staircase sliding, snowball throwing, ‘Wicked’ performances, and lots of rocking around the Christmas tree”.

Toy Show Set Reveal 001 Patrick Kielty with Louis Hanna, age six, who's portraying the character of Kevin at the start of the show Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Something new to the show this year will be the ‘Toy Show County Parade’, which is going to see 32 kids from each county “show their pride for their county… expect swirling and twirling, gymnastics and pageantry”.

If the classic vehicle procession is anything to go by, we’re sure the county parade will go off without a hitch…

RTÉ has just played a little sneak peek from the Toy Show stage on the the 9 o’clock news.

Maddee, one of the kids taking part in the show tonight, said she’s feeling “nervous, excited and happy”. We’re all excited for you Maddee!

You’re certainly much better off staying in and watching the Toy Show tonight than going out in this weather. There are Status Orange and Status Red warnings that will be taking effect as Storm Darragh blows in. It’s already pretty rough out there – you can read more about the weather warnings on The Journal.

Hope everyone has something nice to tuck into. We’ve cracked open a tub of Roses here.

IMG_0471

Here we go now – show time!

Kids running through Dublin Airport, wondering if they forgot to turn off the immersion, and Patrick Kielty sliding down a staircase – ’tis Toy Show time alright.

That’s some amount of tinsel on Patrick Kielty.

IMG_8072

Patrick is joined by child-turned-snowman Isabelle, who tells us in sign language about the different ways that the Toy Show can be viewed tonight – it’s available to watch with Irish Sign Language on the RTÉ News Channel and on the RTÉ Player, and audio description will be available for the repeat show on Sunday afternoon.

 

Toy Show 2024_P1_2469 Patrick Kielty and Isabelle McCarthy (7)

It’s Dory! If anyone’s on TikTok, you might be familiar with the first toy demonstrator of the evening . Dory is a gas character that makes videos on social media with her Mam.

She’s showing us a toy monkey that you can feed from a bottle, who lets out a loud burp. “Pardon you,” Dory quips.

That was quick! We have our first celebrity drop-in of the evening. Irish singer Jazzy is surprising Dory.

Moments prior, Dory tells us she saw Jazzy out the car window once – well, either her or a lookalike.

 

Toy Show 2024_P2_2388 Dory Hudson (8) from Tallaght meets singer Jazzy Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Up next is Olly, who’s playing drums for us. He’s in two bands, he says, one of which is called ‘Sleepy Heads’. An apt name to be sharing on the Late Late Toy Show – probably some small sleepy heads out there fading fast already.

Kielty is on outfit number three and we haven’t even hit an ad break yet.

The jig we just saw to Thunderstruck by AC/DC seems to have gone down well.

 

It’s all gotten very zen for a moment. Alfie is showing us some yoga – specifically, goat yoga.

The zen was shortlived – Alfie has produced a fart gun. 

To be fair, this seems exactly like the kind of present my brother would have gotten great use out of when he was younger (no doubt would still manage to find some enjoyment from now at 19).

We’re back from the first ad break and Patrick is showing us Star, a puppy training to be an autism assistance dog.

Patrick was just saying what a good dog she’s been, and on cue, Star responded with plenty of face licks. 

Star has now been whisked off the set again – bring her back, please!

Toy tester Georgie Mae is now showing us some sparkly slime, which she testifies got stuck to her pyjamas and to her baby cousins. Classic.

Toy Show 2024_P1_3117 Georgie Mae (8) from Kimmage

“Is Paddy on the naughty list this year?” Georgie May asks her toy crystal ball.

In a classic Toy Show toy fail, the ball brings no answer.

One for everyone in the audience – a gift basket from Arnotts for the Toy Show live audience. You wouldn’t be jealous at all.

Toy tester Brian Óg is sporting a dapper vest, shirt and bow tie. He showed us a gecko racing up a wall, pivoted over to video game Minecraft, and then quickly on to another toy that he tells us he plays with his brother: “Shoutout John Joe!”

The studio audience is getting an immersive experience from Brian Óg, who’s just told them to close their eyes and imagine their Christmas Day, including everyone being “out for the count” after dinner. 

Brian Óg is now doing a karaoke duet with Patrick Kielty to a Nathan Carter song. This lad is bringing us everything tonight.

Brian Óg is a fan favourite.

A mashup for the ages for all the Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter fans out there. Who needs expensive concert tickets?

GeJkr5dXIAAZSwG

Scientist-in-the-making Zara has just given a well-articulated explanation of how the moon was formed, followed up by this cracker of a joke:

“What did Mars say to Saturn?”

“Give me a ring some time.”

I’ll be stealing that one Zara.

Another surprise guest! Irish aeronautical engineer Norah Patten, who is set to be the first Irish person to go to space, has touched down to surprise Zara and fellow toy tester Cillian.

That was lovely – little storyteller Leo treated us to a well-told tale about the power of a hat.

I’ve well and truly lost track of all of Patrick Kielty’s outfit change. It’s a more classic Christmas jumper after this ad break – earlier, here was one of his costumes:

Toy Show 2024_P2_2614 Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Entrepreneurs Phoebe and Holly are telling us about their business venture – small bags filled with sweets or toys – and their friendship, which used to have some ‘mini fights’ but they’d ultimately make up when they needed someone to knock for to come out to play with.

Their friendship is put to the test with a ‘BFF quiz’ – the final questions are about Universal Studios in Florida. I think we can see where this is going… 

Sure enough! Phoebe and Holly and their families are being sent on a holiday together to Universal in Orlando. Enjoy ladies.

IMG_8138

Imagine if only the winner of the quiz had gotten to go to Florida.

Another musical interlude – we’re getting a rendition of ‘For Good’, a song in the musical Wicked (very popular right now from the recent release of a film version of the musical’s first act). Someone get these kids in front of the casting director for act two.

Toy Show 2024_P2_2671 Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Kirsty, one of the performers, has a sister Lauren who has been receiving treatment in Crumlin. Kirsty has been given a mission to run over to a Smyth’s to do a toy dash – and she’s going to be helped out by Olympians Sharlene Mawdsley and Phil Healy.

Here’s Kevin, who has a batch of eggs, introducing us to a Leitrim half-dozen. “Five for the price of six.” 

He’s telling us now about his favourite tractor, which has “a good gear box on it”.

A warning: “If you’re wanting one of them, Patrick, you’d want to be selling a fair few eggs.”

Classic Toy Show stuff.

A star in memory of Saoírse Ruane, who was on the Toy Show in 2020 and sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year.

The classic vehicle procession has been reimagined this year as a ‘county parade’, featuring bikes and trikes but also singing and a spot of gymnastics so far. Which county are we rooting for?

_P1_4806 Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Somehow, by some Christmas miracle, there hasn’t been any collisions yet.

Oisín and Patrick from Dublin, who are dressed up as jedis, have built the house from Home Alone out of Lego. Enjoying the Star Wars x Home Alone crossover.

Toy Show 2024_P1_5015 Patrick McKenna (11) and Oisín Friel (11) both from Dublin

It’s time now for book corner.

“I didn’t get much time to read the book, so I only read half a page,” says one of our readers, Wehlani, about one of the books she read. We love the honesty Wehlani! She gave a brilliant synopsis of it nonetheless, along with her other books.

In a nice moment, fellow reader Anna shares Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, talking about how her nana used to read it to her when she was younger.

Our final reader Liam shares some Irish non-fiction books, including “The Story of Irish Rugby”. Liam talks about how he’s a big fan of Johnny Sexton – lo and behold, here comes Johnny!

Liam is starstruck.

Toy Show 2024_P2_2737

_P1_5140

_P1_5169 Book reader Liam is surprised with a visit from Johnny Sexton Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Time to check in with Kirsty, who performed as part of a musical number earlier and has since headed over to a Smyth’s.

In a speedy trolley dash, Kirsty has filled up two trolleys with toys for children in Crumlin hospital with the help of Olympians Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley. 

GeJ1Uc1WgAAUHQb RTE RTE

We got a couple more performances to finish out the night, with a rap from Josh and a rendition of All I Want For Christmas is You led by Abiha – with a video message from The Mariah Carey played in between.

And that’s it! Another Toy Show done and dusted. I’m off to polish off the last of this tub of Roses. Goodnight and thanks for following along with us.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
76 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Josepi
    Favourite Josepi
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:59 PM

    It was over when the news stopped reporting on it last year.

    547
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Georg Ludwig Cantor
    Favourite Georg Ludwig Cantor
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:08 PM

    @Josepi: the Russian invasion of Ukraine was what ended the pandemic

    410
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura Burke
    Favourite Laura Burke
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:25 PM

    @Josepi: exactly, the sheep moved onto Ukraine, they swapped their stay home save lives profile pics for a Ukraine flag, looooo sers.

    258
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen
    Favourite Stephen
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:58 PM

    Bit of a lockdown now for old times sake.

    266
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stevie Doran
    Favourite Stevie Doran
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:51 PM

    CLOSE THE PUBS

    272
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Holland
    Favourite Michael Holland
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:00 PM

    All it did was cause more suicide deaths than Covid deaths. More businesses to be closed down permanently than a recession would and antifreedom legislations to be created.

    259
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:11 PM

    @Michael Holland: of course that’s precisely the opposite of what’s being reported https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/recorded-suicides-in-ireland-fall-to-lowest-level-in-two-decades-1.4664538

    Let me guess – if it’s not Fox News it’s Fake News??????

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sienna Garvey
    Favourite Sienna Garvey
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 11:09 PM

    @Michael Holland:
    7 million suicides .

    15
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Holland
    Favourite Michael Holland
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 9:08 AM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: Fox News is American, I don’t live in America and I deff don’t trust the Irish Times. Recorded suicides honey. We all know the levels of suicide during the lockdowns on a local level. Excess deaths have also increased on 2021 (vaccines) from 2020 (Covid). I bet you don’t like to hear this either.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Holland
    Favourite Michael Holland
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 9:16 AM

    @Sienna Garvey: There was increased suicides during the lockdowns, more than Covid deaths. We all know the levels of suicide during the lockdowns on a local level. Excess deaths have also increased on 2021 (vaccines) from 2020 (Covid). I bet you don’t like to hear this either.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute motojack
    Favourite motojack
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:52 PM

    Nice I can leave the house now

    237
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:27 PM

    I don’t know what a tracker mortgage is

    152
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Conran
    Favourite Gavin Conran
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:15 PM

    @Larry Betts: Was explained to me once, but the simpsons was on in the background…

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Geoff Bateman
    Favourite Geoff Bateman
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 8:40 PM

    The biggest con trick ever.just look where we are now

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Keenan
    Favourite Paul Keenan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:18 PM

    Will never be over for so many covid lockdown and mandate lovers. Follow the science they said at the start and then it was a cover up when restrictions, testing and masks stopped

    140
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:02 PM

    Over 7 million dead. 7 million. More than the population of this island. And all some people can say is “masks don’t work lol”.

    For shame.

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

    160
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:26 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: Masks don’t work; doesn’t matter how many died from or with covid, that won’t change.

    400
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:45 PM

    @The Flautist: do the world a favour. Next time you are at the doctor, or especially next time you are getting an operation, tell the doctors and nurses to not wear masks, and let us know how it goes (if you can).

    123
    See 20 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:52 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: Doctors and nurses do not wear masks to prevent viral transmission.

    189
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Furey
    Favourite Paul Furey
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:04 PM

    @The Flautist: wrong!

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:05 PM

    @The Flautist: that’s not what doctors and nurses themselves say. But I’ll bite, and defer to your superior medical knowledge, especially since this angle isn’t one I’ve heard before.

    So why is it that they wear masks?!??

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:10 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: they wear them to prevent spit, snot etc from getting into open wounds, not to prevent spread of airborne viruses.
    Which doctor told you otherwise?

    196
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:16 PM

    @The Flautist: which doctor? Doctor google. Yeah, I know …

    Anyway next time you are in the hospital getting an operation, tell the doctors and nurses to not wear masks, and instead use a face shied or similar to protect you from spit, and let us know how it goes (if you can).

    I mean you will be re-writing over a century of medical textbooks if enough of you survive!

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:00 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: I’ll do that, yeah.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Conran
    Favourite Gavin Conran
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:21 PM

    @The Flautist: You are sort of showing your lack of knowledge there mate. Viruses etc are transmitted via “spit, snot etc” (referred to as droplets). They wear the mask, especially in a surgical setting, to avoid you picking up an infection. As for airborne viruses, they don’t float around in the air on their own, they are contained inside of…. you guessed it, droplets, which as we know, are something the masks prevent passing though. Hopefully it’s starting to click for you now. If not, do yourself a small favour and put a few minutes aside to learn something new.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:40 PM

    @The Flautist: I wrote this a a couple of weeks ago, in response to a Dr. Campbell disinformation video (he’s suspended from YouTube at the moment). Dr. Campbell is a source of a lot of misinformation, even the author of a paper he was talking in one of his recent videos waded in and called out Dr. Campbell for misunderstanding his paper.

    Dr. Campbell’s video talked about cheap cloth surgical masks worn by Health Care Workers in hospital settings, not respirators N95 / P2 masks. It was written by Drs. Patterson, Mehar and Breathnach from St George’s hospital London:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oZ29hRam4CXGqUFxe-Lh-_l-VCqQwXFT/view

    They found that health care workers did not contract more infections after they stopped wearing cloth surgical masks. But there is a serious problem here.

    Dr. Breathnach pointed out, in response to Dr. Campbell’s and other (Bloomberg) misrepresentations, that health care workers had high levels of immunity that protected them from infection.

    The study did not prove masks that were ineffective, they could not show masks were ineffective or effective, as the HCW were so highly immune.

    HCW = Health Care Workers.

    “Our study on the HCW mask mandate has generated some interest, but important not to overstate conclusions. We found that removing the HCW mask mandate in our hospital did not lead to a rise in the risk of nosocomial COVID, in a highly immune population.” – Dr. Breathnach

    That may see to make masks unnecessary, but this is wrong.

    HCW are not the people were are worried about.

    We are worried about the heath of vulnerable patents, the elderly, immune compromised (cancer treatment), patients with lung disease e.g Cystic Fibrosis etc. And indeed those who choose not to get vaccinated.

    HCW, as well as patients and visitors, who wear good quality masks, reduce their risk of infecting vulnerable patients.

    Choosing an article, or in this case an obscure conference abstract that you prefer, is called Confirmation Bias. Several YouTube “experts” are guilty of this cherry-picking, looking for obscure poor quality papers from around the world that fits their narrative.

    I don’t do this. I will how you everything, lots of papers, not a cherry-picked paper that fits my “narrative”, but as many as I could find.

    We must look at what very many papers said, not a single non-peer review pamplet like what Dr. Campbell found. This is done by carrying out a meta-analysis, a study of studies.

    A meta-analysis weeds out poor quality papers using a transparent and honest method, and aggregates the results of good quality studies together to come to a stronger and more reliable conclusion.

    These are systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies that all conclude that wearing a good quality face mask e.g. N95, helps reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections. Some, like the paper by Baker et al, at the end, also involve Omicon.

    I provide as many as I could find to show that science on this is consistent, masks reduce infections:

    1. “This evidence supports PPE use by HCW, and especially N95 masks, to reduce the risk of a COVID-19 infection.”

    2. “The meta-analysis of RCTs [randomised control trials] found a significant protective effect of facemask intervention (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.71–0.99; I2 = 0%). This protective effect was even more pronounced when the intervention duration was more than two weeks (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.66–0.88; I2 = 0%).”

    3. “Six studies were found protective effects of wearing mask in non-HCWs [non-heathcare workers] (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: (0.31, 1.06), I2 = 85.63%). Results suggest that there is association between face mask/PPE use and reduction of COVID-19.”

    4. “The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis illustrate the effectiveness of face masks, in general, in preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.”

    5. “Our findings support the use of face masks particularly in a community setting and for adults.”

    6. “The results of this meta-analysis concluded that the use of masks and washing hands during the pandemic can prevent the transmission of COVID-19.”

    7. “The results of this systematic review strongly support public health recommendations for wearing a mask to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in real-world settings. Effective communication efforts are needed to inform the general public of the benefits of wearing face masks to prevent COVID-19.”

    8. “This research revealed a positive impact of both N95 respirators and medical masks for COVID-19.”

    9. “The literature appraisal, in conjunction with risk assessment of the Omicron variant, side-effects and acceptability to HCWs, along with the precautionary principle, supported maintaining the current policy guided by PCRA rather than adopting a more rigid approach.”

    10. “Use of gloves, gown, surgical mask, N95 respirator, face protection, and infection training were each strongly protective against infection.”

    11. “N95 respirator use was associated with fewer viral infectious episodes for healthcare workers compared with surgical masks. The N95 respirator was most effective in reducing the risk of a viral infection in the hospital setting…”

    Finally:

    This paper deals with the Omicron vairant, where the spread of several clusters of Omicron were stopped by using N95 respirators and increased testing:

    “We report large increases in hospital-onset infections and 2 unit-based clusters. The clusters rapidly abated after instituting universal N95 respirators and daily testing. Broader use of these strategies may prevent nosocomial transmissions.”

    “N95 respirators have the potential to decrease transmission to and from patients because they provide better source control and respiratory protection. In contrast to surgical masks, the filtration efficiency of fit-tested N95 respirators is >95%”

    Baker, M.A., Rhee, C., Tucker, R., Badwaik, A., Coughlin, C., Holtzman, M.A., Hsieh, C., Maguire, A., Mermel Blaeser, E., Seetharaman, S., Solem, O., Vaidya, V. & Klompas, M. 2022. Rapid Control of Hospital-Based Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Clusters Through Daily Testing and Universal Use of N95 Respirators. Clinical Infectious Diseases 75(1), e296–e299.

    References:

    Schoberer, D., Osmancevic, S., Reiter, L., Thonhofer, N. and Hoedl, M., 2022. Rapid review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health in Practice, p.100280.

    Li H, Yuan K, Sun YK, Zheng YB, Xu YY, Su SZ, Zhang YX, Zhong Y, Wang YJ, Tian SS, Gong YM. Efficacy and practice of facemask use in general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Translational Psychiatry. 2022 Feb 1;12(1):49.

    Hajmohammadi, M., Malehi, A.S. and Maraghi, E., 2023. Effectiveness of using face masks and personal protective equipment to reducing the spread of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies. Advanced Biomedical Research, 12(1), p.36.

    Majidi, S., Feizi, A. and Hajizadeh, Y., 2022. The Effect of Face Mask, Air Temperature, and Humidity on COVID-19 Transmission: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Health Scope, 11(4).

    Ollila, H.M., Partinen, M., Koskela, J., Borghi, J., Savolainen, R., Rotkirch, A. and Laine, L.T., 2022. Face masks to prevent transmission of respiratory infections: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on face mask use. Plos one, 17(12), p.e0271517.

    Siswanto, A., Murti, B. and Prasetya, H., 2022. Face Mask Wearing and Hand Washing Behavior on the Prevention of COVID-19 Infection: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior, 7(3), pp.182-196.

    Crespo, N.C., Fornasier, J.M., Dionicio, P., Godino, J.G., Ramers, C. and Elder, J., 2023. Effectiveness of Face Masks in Preventing COVID-19 Transmission in Real-World Settings: A Systematic Literature Review.

    Amiri, A., Jafarizadeh, S., Goshaderoo, A., Moradinejad, P. and Do Nascimento, J.A., 2022. Compare the Effectiveness of Positive Results Between N95 Respirators and Medical Masks in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Journal of Complementary Medicine Research, 13(1), pp.12-12.

    Sterr, C.M., Dick, A., Schellenberger, L., Zirbes, J., Nonnenmacher-Winter, C. and Günther, F., 2022. High Level Bioaerosol Protection against Infective Aerosols: How Medical Face Masks Compare against Respirators. Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, 2022.

    Lu, Y., Okpani, A., McLeod, C., Grant, J. and Yassi, A., 2023. Masking strategy to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19: An umbrella meta-analysis. Infection, Disease & Health.

    Tian, C., Lovrics, O., Vaisman, A., Chin, K.J., Tomlinson, G., Lee, Y., Englesakis, M., Parotto, M. and Singh, M., 2022. Risk factors and protective measures for healthcare worker infection during highly infectious viral respiratory epidemics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 43(5), pp.639-650.

    Soleman, S.R., Lyu, Z., Okada, T., Sassa, M.H., Fujii, Y., Mahmoud, M.A., Ebner, D.K. and Harada, K.H., 2023. Efficacy of personal protective equipment to prevent environmental infection of COVID-19 among healthcare workers: a systematic review. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 28, pp.1-1.

    P.S. everyone can post long comments via a browser on a PC or Laptop, the length of comments are limited if you use the App on your phone i.e. I am not an employee of The Journal or a Government shill give special access to the comments section.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JedBartlett
    Favourite JedBartlett
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:54 PM

    @David Jordan: “Choosing an article, or in this case an obscure conference abstract that you prefer, is called Confirmation Bias. Several YouTube “experts” are guilty of this cherry-picking, looking for obscure poor quality papers from around the world that fits their narrative.

    I don’t do this. I will how you everything, lots of papers, not a cherry-picked paper that fits my “narrative”, but as many as I could find.”

    David, with respect, this is ALL you do.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:04 PM

    @JedBartlett: Posting every meta-analysis paper on face masks I could find is exactly the opposite of cherry picking.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Keenan
    Favourite Paul Keenan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:16 PM

    @David Jordan: There could be another pandemic come and gone before you would finish one of your posts

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JedBartlett
    Favourite JedBartlett
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:20 PM

    @David Jordan: David, your “narrative” aligns perfectly with the “official” narrative and it has done so all through the pandemic so much so that at times I’ve even had my suspicions that you’re on somebodies payroll for this.

    Your “narrative” also aligned, if I remember correctly, with the ‘stops transmission’ narrative even when there was evidence to show that it didnt. Yet when the ‘official narrative’ changed upon accepting that fact, yours did too. Your contributions throughout this pandemic have been the very definition of confirmation bias.

    140
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Leahy
    Favourite Damien Leahy
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 8:35 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: didn’t the medical experts here announce masks don’t work before announcing mandatory masks?

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:03 PM

    @Damien Leahy: the medical experts who themselves were wearing masks???

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:26 PM

    @Gavin Conran: So you believe that droplets, like water vapour from your breath for example, cannot escape a surgical mask?
    Did you ever put on on on a cold day? What happened?
    If you were infected with covid, all the vapour that escapes from your mask is droplets, possibly carrying virus.
    It’s so simple; it must be hard work to keep believing the mask nonsense.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Kelly
    Favourite Johnny Kelly
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:37 PM

    @David Jordan: There should be a word limit to posts here. That is just ridiculous

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Favourite A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:49 PM

    @David Jordan: Thanks. “Dr.” Campbell – who has a Ph.D in education, is not a medical doctor. He was misrepresenting his knowledge all along.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sienna Garvey
    Favourite Sienna Garvey
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 11:06 PM

    @The Flautist:
    Wrong, All theatre staff wear gloves, surgical masks, protective gown, shoe covers ,protective eye wear.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 8:34 AM

    @Sienna Garvey: Again. Not to prevent viral transmission.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth Long
    Favourite Kenneth Long
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 12:01 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: 7 million people didn’t die because of covid you deluded headcase

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Holland
    Favourite Michael Holland
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:57 PM

    Something else is on the way..

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:09 PM

    @Michael Holland: what?! You mean evolution hasn’t ended?!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Monty Carlow
    Favourite Monty Carlow
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:14 PM

    The vaccine also ruined many lives and caused a substantial amount of deaths. Let’s not forget.

    145
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Flood
    Favourite Stephen Flood
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:59 PM

    They said the masks save lives and stop the spread ,, do people remember when we were getting 20,000 a day with people getting COVID , when also wearing masks , it was nonsense, they all of a sudden it was never on the news ,

    148
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:06 PM

    @Stephen Flood: not “stop the spread”, but “help stop the spread”.

    Taking enough measures to guarantee stopping a virus dead would end up killing people through things like starvation.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JedBartlett
    Favourite JedBartlett
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:44 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: You’re all over this article, Deirdre. You really miss it don’t you, that short period of time where it was deemed acceptable by a large cohort to speak down to others, to make demands, to shame, to sneer, to flaunt your sense of superiority.

    You’re clinging on to it like a shipwreck victim clings to a piece of driftwood. Look outside your window, we’re back to normal but I know what you’ll say, what about the vulnerable? They were vulnerable before COVID too, but now they got the vaccine and you either trust it or you don’t but just get in with your life.

    142
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Antóin Ó Cumamothóin
    Favourite Antóin Ó Cumamothóin
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:06 PM

    @JedBartlett: I think Deirdre’s exhibiting the signs ‘Covid abandonment disorder’.

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth Long
    Favourite Kenneth Long
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 12:06 PM

    @Deirdre O’Byrne: making people wear masks whether they wanted to or not is unjustifiable.

    Actually, enforcing lockdowns just because some got a fright was unjustifiable.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john mac
    Favourite john mac
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:55 PM

    Everyone on here needs to read the data results the CSO released on covid and it was not 7k in ireland who died far from it it was a big lie

    140
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre O'Byrne
    Favourite Deirdre O'Byrne
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:07 PM

    @john mac: so if the CSO are lying when they say 7k dead then why should we trust whatever report it is you’ve latched on to?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 3:00 AM

    @john mac: The analysis of Death Certificates up to Feb 2022 was published:

    “In deaths between March 2020 and February 2022, COVID-19 was identified as the Underlying Cause of Death (UCOD) in 5,384 cases.”

    And a year later more died.

    https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/fp/fp-acdc19/accompanyingconditionsofdeathsfromcovid-19march2020february2022/

    6
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Corporate Interests
    Favourite Corporate Interests
    Report
    Jul 9th 2023, 2:45 PM

    @David Jordan: Your cheque is in the post, David.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paulco
    Favourite Paulco
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:20 PM

    The biggest SCAM is history is over…….for now……..

    128
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Cunningham
    Favourite Paul Cunningham
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:44 PM

    Has the bill been sent to the CCP yet? Knowingly withheld all the information for the WHO until it was a pandemic, and still points fingers at everyone else but themselves.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_misinformation_by_China

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ní neart go cur le chéile.
    Favourite Ní neart go cur le chéile.
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:09 PM

    @Paul Cunningham: jeez haven’t seen you for long time, how are you? Have you heard any meds for Sinophobia? I am looking for it for someone. Anyway you can send the bill to China, why not? If CCP don’t pay, then take the Chinese (no matter its citizen or not)properties, businesses, banks… as compensation. Simple. Lets start from America. By the way, there is still no chinese ambassador in there for 3 months, the chinese don’t answer the call from America

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel O'Connor
    Favourite Nigel O'Connor
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:47 PM

    FFS

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Flynn
    Favourite Ian Flynn
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:04 PM

    Open the pubs

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A$AP ETH
    Favourite A$AP ETH
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:19 PM

    @Ian Flynn: Sorry, the bar’s closed.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:34 PM

    Many millions of lives were saved by vaccines. Here’s the proof: see this chart for Utah:

    https://imgur.com/a/USmdRmBl

    Unvaccinated persons are 11 times more likely to die from Omicron caused Covid-19 than those who are vaccinated and boosted. This is current data, continuously updated, from Sept 15 2022 onwards.

    Most importantly, Utah finished vaccinating people by December 2021, well before they started gathering this data. So the 2-week window after vaccination argument that vaccine sceptic use, is irrelevant here.

    Utah Finished vaccination: December 2021
    Data used in Chart: 15th Sept 2022 – to Present

    This video further explains that Utah competed vaccinating well before 15th Sept 2022.

    “The two week period is non-existent in this situation as an argument”

    https://youtu.be/r2QRppUA2AA

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:24 PM

    @David Jordan: Now do the excess death rates…

    299
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Murphy
    Favourite John Murphy
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:29 PM

    @David Jordan: I presume the vaccines will be discontinued or be given a new license now that the “emergency” is over?

    136
    See 18 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:49 PM

    @The Flautist: It is known that even a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection damages the immune system, and this damage lasts at least 8 months (Phetsouphanh et al., 2022). As a result people are left open to infections, in particular respiratory infections, which are a big killer.

    As a result, far more Children and Adults contracted respiratory infections last winter e.g. RSV, Influenza, and Pneumonia (which often occur secondary to viral infections)

    See: “Excess deaths in Ireland this winter linked to rise in flu and pneumonia”

    Leading GP: ‘We are seeing huge rise in RSV – it’s more of a concern than Strep A – https://www.thejournal.ie/leading-gp-says-theres-been-a-huge-rise-in-rsv-5941014-Dec2022/

    There was also an unprecedented outbreak of invasive Step A, some cases were fatal:

    “There has been an increase in notified invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections in Ireland since October 2022. In a normal year, iGAS infections typically peak during the first six months. The increase observed towards the end of 2022 is the first time a peak has been reported outside this usual peak period.”

    This phenomena was Worldwide e.g. in the US where they saw unprecedented levels of RSV and a Flu season almost as bad as 2010, the last flu pandemic:

    “The US is currently undergoing an early and unseasonal peak in respiratory infections that has particularly effected the paediatric population and swamped Paediatric ICUs and Hospitals. Although, most of the peak has been attributed to RSV, influenza is also peaking with US crossing the “epidemic threshold” and coming close to records of the H1N1 pandemic in 2010 per the CDC Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report.”

    The link between the outbreak in respiratory diseases and the peak in excess deaths was also confirmed by the timing – hospital admissions for paediatric RSV and adult admissions for Influenza and Pneumonia occurred in December 2022.

    Exactly the same time as the increase in Excess Deaths was observed (1 to 2 weeks before Jan 1st 2023 to be precise).

    See Euromomo: https://www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps

    To summarise:

    1. The excess deaths, that sharply peaked during December 2022, was due to a very large increase in respiratory infections last winter (Influenza, Pneumonia mainly).

    2. This unprecedented outbreak, involving multiple viral infections (and a bacteria i.e. Strep A), was likely caused by SARS-CoV-2 linked immune dysfunction that left people more vulnerable to infections.

    References:

    Phetsouphanh, C., Darley, D.R., Wilson, D.B., Howe, A., Munier, C.M.L., Patel, S.K., Juno, J.A., Burrell, L.M., Kent, S.J., Dore, G.J. and Kelleher, A.D., 2022. Immunological dysfunction persists for 8 months following initial mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nature immunology, 23(2), pp.210-216.

    Erdik, B., 2023. Covid associated immune dysfunction (CAID) leading to increased pediatric hospitalizations. Journal of Medical Virology, 95(2), p.e28508.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:58 PM

    @David Jordan: seems like, notwithstanding “sharply peaking” in December 2022, excess deaths in Ireland remain at >+20 against 2019 rates.
    It also appears that the counties with the highest excess death rates correspond with those with he highest vaccination rates.

    Draw your own conclusions.

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:04 PM

    @John Murphy: It is remarkable how long vaccination is protecting people, most pepple in Utah got vaccinated before Dec 2021, and boosted during the spring and summer last year, yet they are still highly protected.

    Personally, I am holding off for a 2nd booster for two reasons.

    1. I don’t wont to develop Original Antigenic Sin

    This is where the immune system can get stuck on the virus you were first vaccinated against, and subsequent updated vaccines are less effective. I don’t see the risk in my age group is large enough to justify a second booster.

    2. If there is a a major change in the virus i.e. if a new virus appears that wipes out immunity, and is more far more lethal, I’ll get vaccinated.

    This might happen, it happened a few years after the 1891 Pandemic, also likely due to a Coronavirus (people also lost the sense of tastse and smell).

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:02 PM

    @The Flautist: First, if this was supposedly linked vaccines, shouldn’t the excess deaths occur when or just after the vaccines are given? Not in a narrow peak in December 2022?.

    Or did they inject people with some sort of time bomb, set to go off in December 2022? This is really dumb when you think about it.

    We mostly finished vaccinating our population by October 2021:

    https://ycharts.com/indicators/ireland_coronavirus_full_vaccination_rate

    So are you are implying vaccines waited till December 2022 to kill people? Is there a chip in them? Are they set off by covert signals from 5G towers?

    Also, countries with the highest vaccination rates also reliably record deaths, so the ability detect excess deaths, to actually show these excess death figures goes hand in hand with high vaccination rates.

    Go find the excess deaths rates, covering last few years, for countries that didn’t bother to vaccinate at all e.g. Chad, Zaire Burundi, South Sudan and get back to me.

    And that said, I am not seeing what you claim.

    No excess deaths in Spain (87% fully vaccinated), no excess deaths in Slovenia (57.6% fully vaccinated)

    No excess deaths in Portugal (86.2% fully vaccinated), no excess deaths in Israel (56% fully vaccinated).

    However, I see the excess deaths in Northern and Western Europe, colder winters and respratory disease outbreaks. Sweden, UK, Germany, Ireland, France, Netherlands, except Finland.

    And as per usual, I have taken ages to debunk something that took someone else seconds to write. This is why truth has a disadvantage against misinformation.

    “Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect: like a man, who hath thought of a good repartee when the discourse is changed, or the company parted; or like a physician, who hath found out an infallible medicine, after the patient is dead.” ― Jonathan Swift

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:53 PM

    @David Jordan: The old chip thing, eh? And 5G? Dismiss legitimate observations and questions as absurd by associating them with absurd conspiracy theories. We’ve become used to this over the past three years.

    Firstly, why should side effects of vaccines manifest immediately or soon after administration? That’s a pretty big assumption to make, especially given the essentially experimental nature of the injections.
    Second point: excess death rates have been elevated throughout 2022 and so far in 2023.
    Also, my comment above referred to the correlation between high vaccination rates and high excess death rates in counties, here in Ireland.

    I’m just stating facts. As I said, draw your own conclusions.

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:56 PM

    @The Flautist: I know you won’t brother to give me an explanation on how getting vaccinated 2021 suddenly killed a bunch of people over a 3 – 4 week period in December 2022.

    Do you think Bill Gates pressed the big red button?

    I made this: https://i.imgur.com/tSqpaB2.png

    Senting the signal out from the 5G towers, activating the microchips in the vaccines that gave people programmed heart attacks?

    I have to say, I am not so bothered by this insane conspiracy theory, it actually gave me a good laugh.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'sullivan
    Favourite John O'sullivan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:12 PM

    @The Flautist: dont waste your time,he only wants to see “his facts”

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:25 PM

    @The Flautist: “excess death rates have been elevated throughout 2022 and so far in 2023.”

    No. There is no excess deaths in 2023, see:

    EuroMOMO Bulletin, Week 17, 2023 (April 24 – April 30)
    EuroMOMO pooled estimates show normal levels of excess mortality

    https://www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps

    All I see is a little peak in the summer of 2022 in overall European data, and possible a tiny peak in the summer in UK data, folloowed by a drop in 2023. It was not consistently elevated:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/weekly-all-cause-mortality-surveillance-2022-to-2023/weekly-all-cause-mortality-surveillance-week-18-report-up-to-week-14-2023-data

    Then there is a big peak in December 2022, seen in UK and Euopean stats, that lasted a couple of weeks.

    Vaccines cannot be the cause, they would NOT have cause peaks like that; a 3-4 week peak is typical of a wave of winter infections, possibly enhanced by immunological damage from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:29 PM

    @John O’sullivan: @The Flautist said deaths are elevated in 2023. They are not. I this is a fact.

    EuroMOMO Bulletin, Week 17, 2023 (April 24 – April 30)
    EuroMOMO pooled estimates show normal levels of excess mortality

    https://www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps

    He also has not posted any links or graphs, he’s could be making stuff up for all we know.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura Burke
    Favourite Laura Burke
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 7:35 PM

    @The Flautist: he needs help and psychiatric treatment. According to his stats newzealand would have had 80,000 deaths of perfectly healthy people but for vaccines, if he was genuinely able to interpret statistics he would be in a well paid job and not have time for journal all day every day, reality is people like him under scrutiny in a real job are exposed as e_dee_otic. Journal.ie is his safe place because he can fool clowns and it gives him a sense of importance in a pointless existence but it seems even the most dum can see through the dope at this stage. There is no hope for anyone that can’t. Disgrace fear mongers like him are not sensored for his lies and he is a compulsive liar.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 8:59 PM

    @Laura Burke: A few leaps of conjecture in there Laura. What do you know about me? Nothing.
    What are you so afraid of?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:10 PM

    @David Jordan: Deaths January 1st – May 5th:
    Waterford 2019: 327
    Waterford (most vaccinated county in Ireland) 2023: 475

    Donegal 2019: 527
    Donegal (least vaccinated county in Ireland) 2023: 538

    rip.ie

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Jordan
    Favourite David Jordan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:14 PM

    @Laura Burke: New Zealand’s deaths are 2,762, 70% lower than use per head of population. We had 8,800 deaths, I will look at the CSO to make sure these are based on death certificates. I think it’s c. 8200 based on Death Certificates, I can check.

    The issue was New Zealand used to count COVID-19 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, so it overestimated deaths. That is why Worldmeter give a higher death toll for NZ.

    The Ministry of Health has recently switched its definition of ‘deceased’ from deaths within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19 to deaths attributed to COVID-19. See the definitions section below for further details.

    https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-current-cases

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura Burke
    Favourite Laura Burke
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:20 PM

    @The Flautist: im talking about David Jordan not you, you make perfect sense.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura Burke
    Favourite Laura Burke
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:21 PM

    @David Jordan: you need help

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Flautist
    Favourite The Flautist
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:31 PM

    @Laura Burke: my apology Laura; I misunderstood..

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tighe
    Favourite Tighe
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:01 PM

    @David Jordan: that’s a total load of nonsense the unvaccinated have done much better than all the other groups. The Pfizer’s effectiveness was only ever 0.4% which in view of all the side effects is seriously low, also they knew from their own trials that the vaccine caused covid, this is an undisputed fact from their own documentation that they were forced to release after the US court hearing.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicholas McMurry
    Favourite Nicholas McMurry
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:59 PM

    @The Flautist: Do them yourself. Look up the excess deaths since 2020. The excess deaths in 2022 are a tiny fraction of those in 2020, and the excess deaths in 2020/21 always followed a growth in Covid. Excess deaths in 2022 have been explained: continuing impact of Covid on a lower scale, deaths because people missed essential medical appointments during Covid, deaths from flu and other infectious diseases that returned with a vengeance after having been much quieter during the lockdowns…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Holland
    Favourite Michael Holland
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 6:55 PM

    If people seriously trust this fella, they need to have a good review of themselves..

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Slevin
    Favourite William Slevin
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 8:10 PM

    Thejournal.ie on another deleting spree more unethical,malicious and insidious behaviour from the fascist thejournal.ie

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Lenihan
    Favourite Keith Lenihan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 8:44 PM

    @William Slevin: probably just tired of you.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Corporate Interests
    Favourite Corporate Interests
    Report
    Jul 9th 2023, 2:46 PM

    @William Slevin: We have a lot invested in thejournal.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán O' Donoghue
    Favourite Ciarán O' Donoghue
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:54 PM

    I see my comment was sensored for some reason, I’d love to know why.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Kelly
    Favourite Johnny Kelly
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 10:38 PM

    @Ciarán O’ Donoghue: or even censored

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán O' Donoghue
    Favourite Ciarán O' Donoghue
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 4:10 AM

    @Johnny Kelly: I feel like an idiot…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mindyourown
    Favourite Mindyourown
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:21 PM

    Is there anything to be said for another lockdown?

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Slevin
    Favourite William Slevin
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:20 PM

    @Keith Lenihan:”@William Slevin: probably just tired of you.”

    Nope just the usual suppression of users that go against their narrative….their doing their best to stop me from commenting but it hasn’t worked yet….but then your a thejournal.ie loyalist who gets protected by them…lol you love the suppression of other users who disagree with you…

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Lenihan
    Favourite Keith Lenihan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:55 PM

    @William Slevin: ah willie, it is a realistic enough possibility though. Take the weekend off and come back fresh on Monday.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sheehan
    Favourite Michael Sheehan
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 7:39 AM

    When you here Trudeau suddenly say that he didn’t force anyone to take a vaccine , Fauci say that masks were maybe 10% effective if you wore an N95 correctly . Gates say that vaccines were not good enough then you should know that you have been had , scammed and cajoled . Ireland is an embarrassment , most still seem to believe that everything worked fantastically. The whipping boys of the EU

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth Long
    Favourite Kenneth Long
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 11:54 AM

    @Michael Sheehan: we’d allow ourselves to be made utter fools of all over again tomorrow, wouldn’t we.
    No bother to us.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:26 PM

    @Deirdre o brien. ‘there is one or two hundred years behind this (science) ‘
    What ??

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Cronin
    Favourite Jack Cronin
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:59 PM

    That time had its advantages; I miss my space in the canteen at work.
    Now they’ve bought tables so small you can taste the breath of the guy next to you in your food.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Molloy
    Favourite Colm Molloy
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 3:21 PM

    Praise be The Lord, it hath ended

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AphexFinn
    Favourite AphexFinn
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:47 PM

    Great. Are there any more chopsticks?

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AphexFinn
    Favourite AphexFinn
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 2:52 PM

    @AphexFinn: chipsticks even, ffs

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kenny
    Favourite Alan Kenny
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 8:38 AM

    @AphexFinn: fish sticks?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Byrne
    Favourite Mick Byrne
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 7:14 AM

    Got the world to comply, job done, whats next ?

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:10 PM

    Who’s going to bring the horse to France?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Onome Ekere
    Favourite Onome Ekere
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 2:03 AM

    Nigeria and it citizens have been living a complete ly extra-ordinary normal lives since 2021 without restrictions, masks etc.(before permantly moving back in January, I came here in December 2021 with my mum for my dad’s final burial). We were the first country to successful end Ebola and the first to successful end Covid19 and with the lowest death rate in the world.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Keenan
    Favourite Paul Keenan
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 2:43 AM

    @Onome Ekere: Average life expectancy in Nigeria is 53 years old, vast majority of deaths occurred in people far older than that

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth Long
    Favourite Kenneth Long
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 11:59 AM

    @Paul Keenan: Africa by in large made no changes on account of this pandemic.

    But we up here in Ireland were definitely in the right to wear face nappies and sanitise shopping trollies. Nothing deranged or crazy about what we did at all.

    WE SAVED LIVES!!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Hannan
    Favourite Mark Hannan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 11:15 PM

    I just woke up from a coma I went into in November 2019, what did I miss?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Stack
    Favourite Kevin Stack
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 12:27 AM

    Who else read most comments to the end and thought that’s time I’ll never get back…..

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Wallace
    Favourite Alan Wallace
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:30 PM

    There’s a lot of right-wing conspiracy theory fruitcakes posting here.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JedBartlett
    Favourite JedBartlett
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 9:53 PM

    @Alan Wallace: Pray tell, how are they right wing? Or is that just the phrase you think you should be using because you see it used so often these days?

    I see a lot of people bemoaning authoritarianism and mandates. How exactly is that right wing?

    111
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Onome Ekere
    Favourite Onome Ekere
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 4:52 AM

    @Keith Lenihan: my dad passed away at 69 and my grandmother who passed away last year was 86. Western media hates Nigeria. Anyway of the most populated countries in the world,Nigeria had the lowest death rate ever from Covid19.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Lenihan
    Favourite Keith Lenihan
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 7:02 PM

    @Onome Ekere: sorry to hear that but what’s the point?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Onome Ekere
    Favourite Onome Ekere
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 9:46 PM

    @Keith Lenihan: What I mean is the world is always underestimating Nigeria but we always beat every odds. Nigeria is the most unique country on earth. Our biggest problems are corruption, greed, and religion extremism, and oh security. Like a Polish guy once says to me “Thank God there is Nigeria in the world”. Nigeria is the most geographical diverse country in the world, it has- desert, semi-desert, savannah, jungle, tropic, mountains, hills, inselbergs, monoliths, ridges, rocks, caves, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, etc. Nigeria have the most dishes in the world, Largest TV Network in Africa, over 300 Radio stations the most in Africa, Largest beach in Africa, #1 in Cassava, Yam, Beans, Palm oil, Rice, Peanut, Cement in whole of Africa. I could go on. Nigeria have a federal structure like the US with 36 States and FCT (Abuja).

    I was born in Lagos in 1994. I came to join my mum and first irish-born sister in 2008 (she was born in 2003 the year my mum left, my second irish-born sister was born in 2013). If not because of my mum I wont have leave my country (I permanently move back this January)

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Lenihan
    Favourite Keith Lenihan
    Report
    May 7th 2023, 11:34 AM

    @Onome Ekere: OK…..Great….

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Slevin
    Favourite William Slevin
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 1:58 AM

    @Keith Lenihan:”@William Slevin: ah willie, it is a realistic enough possibility though. Take the weekend off and come back fresh on Monday.”

    You came looking for my attention xD I’m here to stay…..gasp….now clutch your perls…..

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig Kavanagh
    Favourite Padraig Kavanagh
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 5:51 PM

    I give up. Who?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan
    Favourite Jonathan
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 4:41 PM

    Praise the Lords

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Gaffney
    Favourite Chris Gaffney
    Report
    May 5th 2023, 11:36 PM

    Looks like a few non-vaxer, non-mask wearing nutters survived the epidemic…….Amazing!

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kenneth Long
    Favourite Kenneth Long
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 11:56 AM

    @Chris Gaffney: why are people nutters for not wearing masks?

    I didn’t bother getting the covid vax either. Does that make me a nutter?

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek O Gorman
    Favourite Derek O Gorman
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 12:27 PM

    Bit late for me..when u loose your Dad because it caused depression and checked out..Nice one who

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keth Tgi
    Favourite Keth Tgi
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 9:58 AM

    Next.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Onome Ekere
    Favourite Onome Ekere
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 2:55 PM

    @Kenneth Long: Nigeria already had experience with Ebola (even US and other countries were copying our methods) so the federal and state governments used that with Covid19 and the World did not even provide us with enough vaccines for a country of ~300 million people. Yes, Nigeria is a federation like the US.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Halvey
    Favourite Robert Halvey
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 11:07 AM

    So 20 million people or so died from from covid, and some people refuse to accept its a warning of the life we live is commiing to a crossing

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Onome Ekere
    Favourite Onome Ekere
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 2:50 PM

    @Kenneth Long: Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana are all in Africa and they had restrictions and face masks etc. Nigeria was the only country in Africa and the whole world were everything was going so normal. I dont think hot or cold climate matters if that the case South Africa and even India (the world’s most populated country) will have a insane low death rate.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheila Boyd
    Favourite Sheila Boyd
    Report
    May 6th 2023, 8:42 PM

    Listening to HSE and the WHO, I stopped wearing a mask, and today, I tested positive. I’ll follow my own guidelines in future. Covid is still rampant.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds