Steve McGookinWelcome to Northern Slant’s weekly round-up of local virus-related items you might have missed. The next update will appear on 10 July. Previous updates are here, for the weeks ending:
June 26, June 19, June 12, June 5;
You might like to read the thoughts of some of our contributors – and perhaps add your own – on ‘Hopes for Northern Ireland.’
See Also:
Surgery and Trauma: A Junior Doctor’s Perspective of Lockdown and Why We Can’t Repeat it – June 18
Lockdown lore, from Newry to Indonesia by Fionnbharr Rodgers – 16 June
How churches can continue to function during lockdown by Jason Sime – 6 May
The impact of Covid-19 on farming and food production by Ben McAteer – 5 May
From ‘Flattening the Curve’ to ‘Bending the Curve’? Lessons from responses to Coronavirus for addressing our planetary emergency by John Barry – 21 April
And read a first-person account from the beginning of the pandemic by NS contributor Callum McNeill here:
Escaping The Coronavirus – February 9
***
Funeral row reopens Stormont divisions
Despite recent encouraging signs of co-operation among local politicians in dealing with the Coronavirus, this week saw divisions re-emerge over a Republican funeral and apparent breaches of social distancing guidelines.
There’s a comprehensive explainer here on exactly what happened and the political fall-out.
On Friday, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill apologized to “grieving families experiencing more hurt over recent days,” but First Minister Arlene Foster and other parties called on her to step aside, as we are all reminded how fractious and delicate Northern Irish politics can be.
Hospitality industry opens up amid easing of restrictions
Pubs, hotels and restaurants were allowed to open up on Friday, while observing social distancing rules. Economy Minister Diane Dodds said businesses in this sector “are a cornerstone of the Northern Ireland economy, employing around 65,000 people and generating in the region of £1 billion in revenue each year.”
Other virus news items this week:
Calls for hope & calls to action
Northern Slant aims to highlight some of the good news stories happening all around us. We’ll also show how communities are responding to the crisis, sharing details of how you might be able to get involved yourself.
Calls for Hope
Not virus-related, but worth remembering…
Not here, but worth sharing just because…
Calls to Action
Information and Resources
Keep up with the latest updates from the Northern Ireland Department of Health here
And from Belfast City Council here
Have a good weekend.
