Irish Minister Threatens ‘Several Years’ of Lockdowns with Only ‘Periods of Freedom’

Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste) Leo Varadkar has warned of a “long war” with the coronavirus, during which the government may allow only “periods of freedom” for the people.

The number of cases of the Omicron variant will “break all records” as soon as next week, Mr Varadkar claimed, based on modelling from Ireland’s National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

In a chilling display of authoritarianism, Varadkar nonchalantly explained that the government may grant people occasional breaks from lockdowns or “periods of freedom” in the midst of ongoing confinement.

While the future course of the pandemic is difficult to predict, Varadkar said, Ireland is facing a “long war” that could go on for several more years.

“There may well be a case to say, in this long war, that if it’s possible to have periods of freedom then that might make sense,” he said.

“Because there will be other variants and there will be other winters and perhaps in advance of those winters and those variants we should try to have periods of freedom and give people a break, an opportunity to de-mob if you like, during this long war,” he said, adding that we may have to accept that we “go backwards on occasion.”

On Friday evening, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin introduced a series of coronavirus restrictions, including enforced 8:00 p.m. closing times for pubs and restaurants, which will last at least until January 30.

Despite widespread excitement in Europe over rising numbers of positive cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, less attention has been paid to the harmful health effects of the virus, which may be significantly lower than last year.

In Italy, for example, there has seemingly been no spike in coronavirus deaths like there was a year ago. The number of patients in intensive care as well as the number of coronavirus deaths seem to have been substantially lower than the same period in 2020.

On December 18, 2020, there were 2,819 coronavirus patients in intensive care units (ICU) in Italy, whereas on the same day in 2021, the number has dropped to just 953, a 66 per cent decrease.

Looking at deaths from the coronavirus, the numbers seem starker still. On December 18, 2020, 685 persons died in Italy infected with the coronavirus, whereas on this same date in 2021, only 107 persons died with the virus. This represents a 84 per cent decline in deaths from the disease.

The Italian daily Il sole 24 ore published a superimposed graph Saturday comparing deaths with coronavirus in the two years, which appeared to show that the winter spike in deaths that occurred in 2020 has not been replicated in 2021:

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2021/12/18/irish-minister-threatens-several-years-of-lockdowns-with-only-periods-of-freedom/

Parents Erupt At California School Board Meeting Over Alleged 'Coaching' Of Students Into LGBTQ Club

A mixed crowd of more than 150 people packed a school board meeting in Salinas, Calif., on Dec. 15 as frustrated parents clashed with supporters of two teachers accused of subverting parents and recruiting middle school students into a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club.

Jessica Konen, one of about 30 people who spoke during an extended public comment period, told the board that school staff indoctrinated her child and usurped her parental authority.

Konen blasted the board and accused teachers and staff of coaching her gender dysphoric daughter through the Equality Club, an LGBTQ+ support group now called the You Be You (UBU) Club at Buena Vista Middle School.

“I stand here today in front of all of you because I am outraged. Is this really barely coming to light? Are you guys serious?” she said.

“How could you even allow this? How could you even have this meeting to question it? How dare you let these teachers come in and act as if they have done nothing wrong? A mistake? How long of a mistake?”

Konen went public with her story after controversy erupted over an audio recording leaked to “Irreversible Damage” author Abigail Shrier and The Epoch Times that revealed two teachers at a California Teachers Association (CTA) conference dismissing parents’ concerns about homosexual and transgender indoctrination at school.

The two seventh-grade teachers from Buena Vista Middle School in Salinas, Calif., were recorded coaching other teachers how to hide the nature of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning (LGBTQ+) Clubs, also known as GSA clubs, from parents. They led a workshop called “How we run a ‘GSA’ in Conservative Communities” at the CTA’s “2021 LGBTQ+ Issues Conference, Beyond the Binary: Identity & Imagining Possibilities” in Palm Springs, Calif., from Oct. 29 to 31.

Spreckels Union School District (SUSD) has since suspended the teachers with pay pending the outcome of an independent third-party investigation.

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2021/12/18/irish-minister-threatens-several-years-of-lockdowns-with-only-periods-of-freedom/

UK Brexit Minister David Frost quits as new COVID rules spark anger

A senior member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's cabinet has resigned, adding to a sense of disarray within a government that has faced rebellion from its own party members and voters this week.

Key points:

David Frost quit, saying the UK needed to "learn to live with COVID"

The departing minister led Brexit negotiations with the European Union

Boris Johnson is battling a party rebellion over tightened lockdown restrictions

Brexit Minister Lord David Frost said in a letter to Mr Johnson that he was stepping down immediately, after a newspaper reported that he planned to leave the post next month.

The Mail on Sunday said he resigned because of growing disillusionment with Mr Johnson's policies.

The newspaper said Lord Frost's decision was triggered by last week's introduction of new pandemic restrictions, including a requirement that people show proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test to enter nightclubs and other crowded venues.

In his letter to the PM, Lord Frost said he was "disappointed that this plan has become public this evening and in the circumstances I think it is right for me to write to step down with immediate effect".

Mr Johnson is battling a huge rise in COVID-19 infections, a party rebellion over tightened lockdown restrictions, an unexpected by-election defeat and ongoing controversy over lockdown-breaking festive celebrations.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-19/uk-brexit-minister-quits-as-new-covid-rules-spark-anger/100712124

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard urges residents to join the 'booster club' as third shot uptake improves

NSW Health Minister has called on residents to come forward for their third jab of the COVID-19 vaccine as he announced booster shot uptake has "quadrupled" in the past week.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged all NSW residents to come forward to join the "booster club" to enhance protection against the fast spreading Omicron variant.

Mr Hazzard said the uptake of booster shots had dramatically increased in the last few weeks as the state recorded more than 2,500 COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

“I think there’s only one club that people should belong to here in NSW at the moment and that’s the booster club,” he said.

“We’ve just been inside and met a number of people who have made sure they got in early to join the booster club and they’re all very happy.”

More than 57,000 people in NSW have received a booster shot of a COVID-19 vaccine in the last seven days, up from 15,000 the week before.

“So what we’ve seen is a quadrupling of the number of boosters being given out, I think that tells us that people are voting with their feet to join the booster club and everybody in NSW who is eligible should get into that club,” he told reporters on Sunday.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged all NSW residents to come forward to join the "booster club" to enhance protection against the fast spreading Omicron variant.

Mr Hazzard said the uptake of booster shots had dramatically increased in the last few weeks as the state recorded more than 2,500 COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

“I think there’s only one club that people should belong to here in NSW at the moment and that’s the booster club,” he said.

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skynews.com.au05:02

NSW Premier: Rise in coronavirus cases the 'new normal'

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“We’ve just been inside and met a number of people who have made sure they got in early to join the booster club and they’re all very happy.”

More than 57,000 people in NSW have received a booster shot of a COVID-19 vaccine in the last seven days, up from 15,000 the week before.

“So what we’ve seen is a quadrupling of the number of boosters being given out, I think that tells us that people are voting with their feet to join the booster club and everybody in NSW who is eligible should get into that club,” he told reporters on Sunday.

skynews.com.au00:26

NSW records 2,566 new COVID cases and no deaths

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New South Wales has recorded 2,566 new COVID cases and no additional deaths in the latest reporting period. There…

“It certainly is one of the major protections that we can have against this worldwide pandemic.”

Across the state, more than 94.9 per cent of the over 16 population have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 93.4 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state’s booster shot uptake was “incredibly pleasing” going into Christmas.

“I want to thank everybody across the state for their efforts but I also want to acknowledge the many people who have gone out and been tested,” he said.

The wait time between the second COVID-19 vaccine and the booster shot was recently reduced to five months with the government continually imploring residents to get their third jab.

New South Wales recorded another daily increase in COVID-19 cases numbers with 2,566 new infections from a total of 148,937 tests on Sunday.

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/nsw-health-minister-brad-hazzard-urges-residents-to-join-the-booster-club-as-third-shot-uptake-improves/news-story/8fc50dab7419fff431e4f92c41f34d24

Despite at least 94% of players vaccinated, the NBA, NFL, and NHL forced to cancel games, change COVID-19 protocols, and welcome unvaccinated players during latest spike of cases

The major professional sports leagues in the U.S. are being forced to cancel a slew of games, alter COVID-19 protocols, and allow a once-shunned vaccinated superstar to return to action because of a rash of COVID-19 cases amongst the players, despite being nearly 100% vaccinated against coronavirus.

The NFL changes COVID-19 protocols

Despite 94.6% of NFL players being fully vaccinated, there were 58 players who tested positive for COVID-19 between Nov. 28 and Dec. 11. NFL personnel are 100% vaccinated, but there were 50 cases in the same time period.

Cases have surged even higher this week, forcing the NFL to postpone three games in Week 15.

"The NFL hit a single-day high of 36 positive tests among players Monday," The Hill reported. "By Wednesday, the COVID-19 list grew to at least 90 players."

The Los Angeles Rams currently have 29 players who either tested positive for COVID-19 this week or were still on the reserve/COVID-19 list from last week, according to ESPN. The Cleveland Browns have 24 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Washington Football Team have 23 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen.

The National Football League will attempt to tackle the flood of COVID-19 cases by ending the mandate for weekly COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic vaccinated players. However, the NFL will penalize unvaccinated players – who will continue to have to test daily.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero wrote, "The revised NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols will end regular weekly testing of asymptomatic, fully vaccinated individuals."

Pelissero noted that "over 150 (mostly asymptomatic) players" tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/nfl-covid-protocols-nba-kyrie-irving

Biden Regime Sends Talking Points to Reporters Touting 2021 Accomplishments

The Biden Regime sent talking points to reporters touting a list of 2021 accomplishments.

Inflation is at a 40-year high, gas prices are soaring, vaccine mandates are destroying businesses and the supply chain crisis is crippling the country.

But Joe Biden emailed this list of accomplishments to reporters (try not to laugh):

1) Joe Biden bragged about vaccine rates/distribution without mentioning anything about Trump’s Operation Warp Speed.

Biden claimed credit for a 70% jump in vaccination rate year-over-year even though Covid jabs became available in mid-December 2020.

2) Joe Biden took credit for 99% of schools reopening and made no mention of his administration working hand-in-glove with the teachers unions.

Biden didn’t mention the fact that many public schools are abusing children with mask mandates even though he promised to “shut down” the virus.

No mention of public schools going back to virtual learning because of the Omicron variant.

3) Biden laughably claimed his policies have led to low unemployment rates.

“The average number of Americans filing for unemployment over the last four weeks is at its lowest level since 1969,” the Biden Regime talking points read. “When POTUS took office, over 18 million were receiving unemployment benefits. Today, only 2 million are.”

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/12/biden-regime-sends-talking-points-reporters-touting-2021-accomplishments/

Revolver Investigation Exposes Massive Web Of Unindicted Operatives Who Coordinated Alongside Ray Epps To Turn January 6th Into a Riot

Darren Beattie’s Revolver News might have just blown the lid off of the entire January 6th “insurrection” narrative.

On Monday, the outlet published another brilliant investigative piece that includes the most explosive, damning evidence to date of the federal government’s suspected involvement in what the media has shamelessly called the worst attack on democracy in American History.

In June The Gateway Pundit first posted on Ray Epps, the Jan-6 “protester” who was spotted next to John Sullivan and was urging protesters that weekend to storm the US Capitol.

In June The Gateway Pundit identified Ray Epps as an FBI informant.

In October Revolver News reported on Ray Epps and his antics on January 6.

Revolver’s latest investigation breaks down the timeline of events on 1/6 and highlights the network of still-unindicted operators who appear to have been at work either with or in response to Ray Epps during the initial breach into Capitol grounds.

Unsurprisingly, none of the suspicious individuals who led the charge have received any attention from law enforcement officials, the mainstream press, or even Pelosi’s sham witch hunt committee, despite mounting video evidence of their coordinated and indispensable roles in starting the incident at the Capitol.

The new report again centers around the suspicious actions of Ray Epps, who is proving to be more involved than even originally thought, but he doesn’t seem to have been acting alone.

It’s called the “Ray Epps breach theory,” and it might just be the key to solving what really happened on 1/6.

As has been reported- On the night before 1/6, Epps made his plans to breach the US Capitol building very clear – on video multiple times, at multiple locations. The next morning, he spent hours instructing others to go to the Capitol.

During the initial breach on the west lawn at approximately 12:50 p.m., Epps was seen leading several of the initial agitators while managing key aspects of the initial breach of the Capitol grounds himself.

Here is a video compilation of Epps showing him in the leadup to the event, he can even be seen whispering in the ear of the first agitator to attack the barricade just seconds before the chaos begins:

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/12/bombshell-revolver-investigation-exposes-massive-web-unindicted-operatives-coordinated-alongside-ray-epps-turn-january-6th-riot/

FOX Implements Hardline Vax Mandate, ‘Testing No Longer an Alternative’.

FOX, including Fox News, has implemented a sweeping new vaccine mandate for its New York City employees as made clear in a communication to staff seen by The National Pulse.

“You are receiving this email because you are a New York City Based Employee,” the e-mail from FOX Human Resources begins, before going on to outline the new regulations for working on premises in New York.

“As you are probably aware, Mayor de Blasio announced a vaccine mandate for in-person workers that includes all companies in the private sector.

“The timing and the ramifications of this mandate are very unfortunate, but we must take timely actions to be compliant by December 27.

“Under the mandate, beginning December 27, all workers in New York City who perform in-person work, including FOX employees, must show proof of receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

https://thenationalpulse.com/news/read-fox-implements-hardline-vax-mandate-testing-no-longer-an-alternative/