Goodbye Mr Chips

 For many of us, we can’t see the back of 2020 fast enough. For many it has been a year of illness, personal loss and worry. Through in the economic and political instability, is it any wonder that already Christmas trees are going up a month early. We all want something positive to make us feel better. What’s not to like about an early Christmas?

What’s more, surely 2021 can be better? Well the omens are good if our luck holds out. Firstly, the dreaded second wave of Covid 19 has not brought the level of destruction that many feared. Level 5 is as deep as it gets. We’re approaching the back half of lockdown and the economy is functioning to an extent. Deaths and hospitalisation are a fraction of what was the norm at Easter, but we’re only as good as our last day. There are reasons to be optimistic if we hold our heads.

Covid 19 also was the final straw in the US to send Donald Trump back to the golf course ushering in a new era. However, Biden did not perform as well as expected, he scraped home. It wasn’t the predicted landslide. But there wasn’t civil unrest either. Without Covid, Trump may well have clung on to office for another term. 

But beyond the tense excitment of a Biden victory, his party did not fare as well in the senate or congress elections. Far right politics is still a potent force driving populism  among independent candidates at home and abroad. Biden will have to compromise if he is to make progress. That may not be a bad thing as it can offer to Republicans other than Trump a platform to deliver and outflank the political tumour that is the Donald.

A number of weeks ago, Taoiseach Michéal Martin accepted an invite to the White House for St Patricks Day. You can put your money on the event being a celebration like no other. Biden is rightly proud of his Irish roots. He quotes Séamus Heaney’s poems. We Irish are lucky to have such regard in the US. We can thank the late John Hume for that. He had the vision to build on relations with the EU and USA during bleak times in the 1980’s. Hume’s vision has paid a dividend to the island he loved so well.

 An invite for a state visit to Biden cannot be too far away. When he arrives you can bet your bottom dollar that he will be brought to his ancestral home at Carlingford in Co Louth. There will be no more potent symbol than Biden gazing across its deep lough at Co Down a mile away. During the troubles the Royal Navy had a gunboat on permanent patrol around the lough which the UK claims right up to the high water mark on the southern shore to this day. In another life I spent 2 years working for a cross border body in the area.

While Trump encouraged Johnson’s Brexit delusions, the prospect of President Biden must be striking fear into the hearts of Brexiteers.  Weeks away from concluding a torturous trade deal with the EU, Farage and his mates must be rueing the squandered opportunities to cut a deal in the last 4 years. There is a spring in the EU step that the final deal with Britain will see little economic damage to Ireland and our borders are secured.

Covid 19 saw a lot of money being spent in houses but also savings increase. If 2021 is the turning of the corner we may well see an improvement in the economy as confidence encourages people to spend more.  There are strong grounds for optimism, in the economy, within families, the wider society and for our own personal health. all we have to do is hope.

As Noddy Holder says; “look to the future, it’s only just begun”.

Q&A Covid 19 and you

Social distancing and  Hand washing are two very effective ways of preventing the spread of Corona virus/ Covid 19. Social distancing  means that you maintain a safe distance from one another.  Hand washing  means frequent and complete washing of hands for a period of over 20 seconds.

On a wider scale adjusting to the new reality means fundamental changes to a persons life. In this post I’m trying to address some questions that are frequently asked and provide answers as accurately as possible from current information. None of these questions relate to medical treatment of the crisis, nor should anyone other a medical professional try to answer that!

This page will be updated as more information comes to hand. If you have a question, PM me!

Social Welfare

I’ve lost my job what can I do?

Anyone who has lost their full or part time job and is aged between 18 and 66 is entitled to an immediate payment of €350pw (COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment ). Your employer is able to top this up. This payment applies to students and all workers regardless as to whether you are an EU citizen or not however it will only be paid if you live in the jurisdiction. Apply online at welfare.ie

My job is secure however I am required to sell-isolate, Can I claim social welfare support?

Yes, only if your employer is not paying you. You should immediately apply for illness Benefit at an enhanced rate of €305 per week. Phone your GP and ask someone to drop the completed application to Intreo, Anne St, Wexford.

I want to collect a welfare payment but I’m ill and can’t go out?

A temporary agent form is available at welfare.ie Download it from welfare.ie, print it off and sign to authorise a designated person to collect your payment. Otherwise ring the local office and it will be posted to you.

Will I have to turn up each week to collect my payment?
No. Welfare is now being paid fortnightly.

SME
I'm self-employed and my business has had to close because of Covid-19, What can be done for me?
The temporary payment mentioned above has now been extended to include the self employed. Contact welfare.ie to apply

My companies income has dropped, we can't afford to pay workers yet we need to function. What help is there?

If company has had drop of 25% in income the Government will pay 70% of net wages up to max of €410 per week if company willing to pay the remainder of that staff members weekly wage

My business is down and I can't get a loan from my bank to keep me going?
If your business is impacted or may be impacted by COVID-19 resulting in a reduction of 15% or more in actual or projected turnover or profit, AND you are having difficulty in accessing  finance from commercial lending providers, the MFI COVID-19 Business Loan may be able to help your business. Contact Wexford County Council and ask to speak to the Local Enterprise Officer.

My business needs additional funding. Can central government help?
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland has a fund of €450M to loan so as to provide liquidity to SME's, The minimum loan is €25,000 and has a maximum interest rate of 4% over a maximum term of 3 years

A second scheme called the future growth loan scheme is designed to loan tranches of funds and is paid back over 8 years at a rate of 4.5%. Earliest repayments cover the interest owed on the loans, More details can be found at https://dbei.gov.ie/

Housing

I’ve lost my job and can’t pay rent. Can I be evicted from my home?

If you are a tenant of Wexford County Council contact the council immediately. The rent will be readjusted in line with the financial reality. If you are in a private tenancy contact your landlord. Emergency legislation passed by the Oireachtas prevents any eviction during this crisis.

I’ve lost my job and can’t pay my mortgage. Will that affect my relationship with my bank?

Ring your bank and explain what has happened. Financial institutions have agreed a 3 month break in these circumstances will be provided for mortgage holders. However, such leniency does not apply to car and other personal loans. If you don’t interact with the bank you run the risk of damaging your credit rating if you do not meet with payments

Education

What will happen to state exams?

Oral exams have been shelved at Leaving Cert and this years exams will revolve around the written element due later in the year.   Practical Leaving Cert exams have been deferred until later in the year also. This decision does not affect work already due at Junior Cycle such as Classroom Based Assessments.

What is the status of Leaving and Junior Cert Exams due in June?
The Leaving Cert is deferred until late July or early August. A redesigned exam time table will be published.  Final arrangements for the exams, the exam centres, social distancing and other measures will all be determined by the State Examinations Commission.  Junior Certs have been cancelled to be replaced by a proposed exam to be held at a later stage in the new school year.

When will schools re-open?

Schools will not return until a decision has been taken by Boards of Management following advice from the Department of Education & Skills. The immediate priority following the return of school will be dictated by the impact of the virus on the school community.

How will this affect a CAO application?
Colleges have already indicated that 3rd level course for present students will re-commence on time but that first year courses will commence later than usual.

Policing

How does the Covid 19 outbreak affect policing?

Garda stations remain open and additional garda personnel have been deployed to assist within communities. Additional emergency laws provide for gardaí to arrest people that frequently disobey the 2km restriction or who fail to comply with a direction to return home

Transport

Can I use a bus or train as normal?

Wexford Bus schedules have been reduced on route 340 to Dublin and services to Carlow and the Castlebridge suspended.  To comply with social distancing they are limiting capacity to keep passengers a safe distance apart. Bus Eireann and Irish Rail services run to a much reduced timetable. Wexford Railway Station only opens 10 minutes prior to departure.

Post Offices

Can I collect my pension, child benefit or other entitlements?

Yes. Post Offices are continuing to provide a service within the parameters of social distancing. If you are unable to collect the payment the Post Office will retain it for longer than normal in the current circumstances. If you are unable to collect a temporary agent form can authorise someone to collect on your behalf. Wexford Post Office remained open longer to facilitate pensioners on Friday last. Ring to see if this may be repeated.

Communications

Where is the best place to find out what is happening in Wexford?

Wexford People and South East Radio provide accurate and up to date information in traditional and online formats. Wexfordtoday.ie is another online news specialist.

Will eircom’s proposed new charges come into effect on March 31^st?

Eircom have announced that they have decided to suspend their decision to implement charges for email addresses until after the current crisis has passed so there’s no need to rush to close down or alter email addresses.

Wexford County Council

Do I still have to pay rates while my business is closed?

If your business has closed contact the council and let them know. Councils will not be sending out anymore rates bills during the current emergency. If your business is in the retail. Hospitality, leisure or childcare sector you can defer payment of bills already sent for 3 months. However some businesses are trading still and they are required to pay bills received. The council will deal with businesses experiencing difficulties on a case by case basis.

Will the council services continue during the crisis?

Partly. Parks and especially playgrounds are closed given the likelihood that social distancing rules may be compromised. Libraries in the county are also shut. Loans can be renewed online.

Housing, Environmental, Community services all continue to be delivered. District offices in the main towns are open. Car parks at local beaches and beauty spots have been closed.

Covid 19 (Corona Virus) and Wexford. A few tips on how to respond

Ahead of what may be a challenging and difficult time for all, I’m circulating some advice that you may find useful in the next few weeks.

Switch your radio to either RTE Radio One or South East Radio for the latest up to date local and national news. Make a note of listening to news at the top of the hour, Alan Corcoran at 10AM on South East Radio or Drivetime 4.30pm or watch Six One on RTE1

Buy the Wexford People and follow their posts on Twitter or facebook for up to date information.

Saturday 4th

Emergency email addresses

Wexford County Council; Community Support Helpline to provide assistance medical, fuel & food. covidsupport@Wexfordcoco.ie

Alone  Register your interest in volunteering to bring prescriptions, shopping, support and fuel to senior citizens at alone.ie

Aware  Need help coping with mental health issues? supportmail@aware.ie



Emergency phone numbers

Ambulance/Garda                              999/112

HSE                                                      1850 24 1850

Dept of Social Protection                   1890 800 024                                                              

Caredoc                                               0818 300 365

Samaritans                                         116123

Rape Crisis Centre                              1800 778 888

Wexford Womens Refuge                    9121876

Friday 27th
A lockdown comes into effect at midnight. What that means is that unless you are working in the health or community sector or the work can't be done from home, going to a shop or chemist, traveling for the specific reason of providing family care, taking exercise within 2 km of home, you've to stay at home.
Cocooning is to commence for those over 70 and all public gatherings are banned.
All non essential shops are to shut as will Adult Community Education centres. Remaining Hospitals allowing visiting are to cease the practice and prison visiting is the end. This will be for a minimum of 2 weeks.

The following occupations are exempt from the restrictions announced tonight;  Health Care Workers and Social Carers, Food and medicine providers, Public service / civil service, Utilities, Transport (Lorry drivers, hauliers, bus/train), Commentators/Journalists, Financial services.


Wednesday 25th
Schools will now remain shut until Monday April 19th although that date is likely in time to be also pushed back. Gardaí are now arresting those who persist in the Covid Challenge. The government stopped paying the Early Childhood Education Support to play schools since play schools are now closed. Take aways, hairdressers, betting shops,
Changes have now been made to criteria by which a patient will receive a test for corona virus. Already delays of 5 -6 days are common. From today a patient will only be tested if they have 2 symptoms minimum; Fever plus one of either a cough or shortness of breadth. Patients already awaiting a test must revert to their GP to get another referral.

Tuesday 24th
Parents who have been asked to pay creches to maintain a place for their child until after the crisis ends have been told by government that no fees are to be now levied as the operators and the government have concluded a deal.

Wexford Bus has suspended its Loop service to Castlebridge, Carlow service and reduced its Clonard loop service to an hourly service reflecting the reduced demand.

Other services to Dublin Airport has scaled back connections to depart every 2 hours.

Bus Eireann services continue on an hourly rate. Irish Rail services to Dublin continue as timetabled but catering services have been discontinued.

For passengers using Stena line or Irish Ferries services continue but  customers can amend their bookings at no extra cost.

While driving tests and lessons are long suspended the NCT still is open to test your car.

Gatherings of no more than 4 people are allowed unless you’re all members of the same family while there are changes to the amounts paid to those on Covid-19 temporary payments and there is help with paying salaries  for SME’s that continue to function

Not quite a lock down but if most non essential services are told to shut, there’s little reason to leave the house now.

Monday 23rd.
An urgent plea to continue with physical distancing was issued as good weather brought large numbers out to beaches, parks and mountain paths. McDonalds will close its restaurants from today, Supermacs will close on Thursday next. Glendalough National Park and the coastal path between Bray and Greystones is also closed.
Bank of Ireland branches in Wexford, Enniscorthy, New Ross, Gorey and Bunclody will remain open, all others in the county will close.
Extensive signage on the approaches to Wexford direct motorists to the temporary Covid-19 test centre. Motorists are asked to follow the signed route to the test.

The following restrictions apply to intending visitors to Wexford General Hospital.
 
* All Adult Medical and Paediatric outpatient appointments are postponed.

* All non urgent elective day and inpatient surgery has been postponed.

Visitors are not allowed except for:

• people visiting patients at end of life
• people visiting patients in critical care
• parents visiting children
• people assisting confused patients - for example, patients with dementia
• partners of women in the maternity unit

Children should not visit the hospital, even in these cases.
Only one visitor per patient is allowed.

Friday 20th

A mobile Covid 19 testing unit is to be set up from next week in Whitemill Industrial Estate in Wexford, This will be a drive in unit where a person will be tested in their car. The patient should already be self isolating and return home to self isolation after testing to await results.

Wexford Post Office at Anne St remains open today (Friday 20^th) to facilitate the collection of pensions until 7pm. This initiative was proposed by the staff there and only applies to Wexford.

What you may need to prepare
Ensure if you use a pay as you go mobile phone that you have enough credit or can top up electronically

2.       
       Ensure that you have your Eircode handy. This will make it easy to alert public services or delivery services. If you don't know your eircode it can be found by entering your address at the link

        https://finder.eircode.ie/#/

3.       
 Do not visit your GP if you feel unwell, phone and ask for advice. Your GP may be busy so hold on the line and expect a call back. The GP will arrange for a test for Covid19  to be taken in your home.

4.      
      You should self isolate once you suspect that you are displaying symptoms of Covid 19. If Covid 19 is confirmed you will get the medical advice relevant to the level of the infection that you experience

5.      
             Do not present yourself Wexford General Hospital unless your GP decides to admit you.

6.      
            If you do not have a GP telephone Wexford General Hospital directly and ask for advice. Check out the HSE website. Here’s the link

https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

Ring ahead to a chemists if you need to visit a pharmacy. Here's the website for one local chemist in Wexford. Many practitioners are giving similar advice

  https://www.fortunespharmacy.ie/covid-19-coronavirus-measures/

7.       Check on elderly neighbours especially those that may live alone and ensure that your contact details are up to date.

8.       All religious services, sporting and cultural events have been cancelled. Schools will remain closed. These will not resume until the present public health emergency us over.

9.       Public transport within Ireland continues as timetabled as does shipping connections from Rosslare

10.   Cancel any plans to leave Ireland for any other European country.

11.   Check that your account with utility services are in order to prevent interruption to services.

12.   Keep a list of useful service websites or relatives up to date phone numbers and email addresses.

13.   Set up a family WhatsApp group

14.   Supermarkets are open and are fully stocked. Buy what you need for the day ahead to prevent food building up at home.

15.   Most importantly; There is a lot yet to be established about how this virus works and infects people. You should understand that much of what is posted online may have no scientific basis to it. Be objective about all information that you read.  Ignore much of what may be posted on social media, it may not be verified and there may well be doubts about its veracity. It may only serve to panic and frighten.
the following shops and outlets are not open until things improve; Shaws, Pamela Scott, Flying Tiger, Peter Marks, Wexford Book Centre.

Email me at joeblogswexford@gmail.com or facebook me by PM if there is any way that you think I can help.