They started putting up the Christmas lights today,
although through November we are just halfway.
We look forward with a mixture of hope and fear.
Not yet sure what will pass for Christmas this year.
Can loved ones travel home?
Or must they stay away; perhaps alone.
If it transpires that they must,
because of this virus with which the world is cursed,
at least we can make calls on zoom,
send cards or hampers or simply phone to try and lift the gloom.
Mother's hairdresser phoned in tears,
to say she is closing her business of many years.
It is not that she has a choice.
It is not fair. It is not nice.
Lifting Lock-down now is too late,
for her and many others who face a similar fate.
While there are those that can't survive,
there are others who not only can, but can thrive.
Hand sanitisers and take-out coffee are among the winners.
As are DIY supplies and click and collect dinners.
For now safety depends on using simple tools.
For now we follow these basic survival rules;
isolate, distance, sanitise and mask up.
Beyond that we await the scientists doing their stuff.
We await the production of some new medicine.
We await in hope a new vaccine.
If you are a smoker, you are undoubtedly aware of the harmful impact smoking has on your health. The warnings on cigarette packages may be white noise to you, but you know they’re there, and you’re probably well aware that smoking can lead to heart disease, lung cancer, and other smoking-related illnesses.
And as damaging as smoking can be to your health, it also has a considerable negative effect on your financial health. Spending a few euros for a single pack of smokes may seem relatively harmless, but the cost of maintaining this habit long-term is anything but.
How Much Do You Spend?
If you’ve never calculated the cost of your smoking, you may be shocked to find out what it adds up to over an extended period of time. Figure out what you spend in a week, month, and year, as well as over 10-year and 20-year periods and longer. Here is a handy calculator you can use.
Taking the average cost of a pack of cigarettes to be €14, means a pack-a-day habit sets you back €420 per month or €5110 per year. Ten years of smoking comes with a €51,100 price tag if the price remained constant, but of course it does not. It tends to rise with every budget, so if we assume say an average 6% increase per annum the 10 year cost figure grows to €76,505 and over 20 years to €204,363. And if you are paying for these out of after tax income, some people will have to earn twice that amount to feed their habit. Think of all the things you could do if you had saved all that money.
Consider what you are sacrificing to support your smoking habit. Could the money you allocate to cigarettes be put to better use by saving it, funding college for your kids, putting it towards the purchase of a house, contributing to retirement, or spending it on some other needed purchase or a vacation?
Each time you make a cigarette purchase, you are deciding between funding your future or funding a habit that harms it.
The Cost Extends Beyond the Price of Cigarettes
Of course, the expense of smoking goes further than just the price of a pack of your favorite brand. Smokers have to deal with higher premiums for life insurance as well as other ancillary expenses like dental hygiene; increased cleaning costs of homes, cars, and clothing; and lower resale values of property. Add the costs associated with lost productivity while at work or smoking-related sick days, and the financial impact of this habit begins to amass greatly.
I am educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.
No, I don’t “live in fear” of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.
I don’t feel like the “government is controlling me” any more than when I wear a seat belt, don’t drive drunk, obey the speed limit, or stop at a red light.
The world doesn’t revolve around me. It’s not all about me and my comfort.
If we all could follow these simple steps, the virus could be under control, and businesses back open.
Wearing a mask doesn’t make me weak, scared, stupid, or even “controlled.” It makes me considerate.
When you think about how you look, how uncomfortable it is, or what others think of you, just imagine someone close to you – a child, a father, a mother, aunt, uncle, or grandparent – choking on a respirator, alone without you or any family member allowed at bedsides
Wearing a mask is not political. It’s public health! (I don’t constantly wear a mask, but I do in public areas, eg. Supermarkets !)
The above was copied from a Facebook post but it sums up nicely why we should wear facemasks when close to other people. More and more people are wearing masks. They have even become a fashion item. But unfortunately there are still too many thoughtless, inconsiderate people, who refuse to accept that the way they behave can determine whether someone else might live or die or live with serious health issues going forward. You may at some level have some right to take chances with your own health, but you have absolutely no right to take chances with the health of those around you.
Galway City Council has granted planning permission for the erection of a communications tower behind the Salthill-Knocnacarra clubhouse on Dr. Mannix Road.
When your finding life full of trouble and toil,
that is the perfect time to crack a smile.
Whether you come first or last in the race,
don’t forget to wear a happy face.
At times when life denies you lucky breaks,
when all you seem to do is make mistakes,
when you are sad and feeling blue,
this one thing will help you through.
It takes little effort and is well worth while.
The thing to do is simply smile.
Not only does this work for you.
Amazingly, it works for others too.
What you send out gets reflected back.
Smile at them and they smile right back.
If you find you wear a frown,
remember it is just a smile upside down.
If you form the habit of turning it right way up,
You’ll suddenly find that life’s not quite as rough.
But for the times that are not that smooth,
a simply smile can lift the mood.
I wish that they would teach in school,
what I like to call the “happy rule”.
In order to be content a while,
all you got to do is smile.
Note that City Hall is closed to the public due to covid-19 restrictions. You can only be seen by appointment. If you wish to make an appointment ring 091-636400.
There is only space for a limited number of appointments.
If you wish to make submissions on a planning application you can use one of the following options.
Send your submission by email to planning@galway.ie and ring 091-636400 to pay the 20 euro fee by phone.
Drop your submission in the letterbox to the right of the main door into City Hall and ring 091-636400 to pay the 20 euro fee by phone or pay by enclosing a cheque or money order with your submission. Do not enclose cash.
Post it in and ring 091-636400 to pay the 20 euro fee by phone or pay by enclosing a cheque or money order. Do not enclose cash.
The deadline is 4pm on this Friday, June 27th and is strictly observed. Any submissions received after this time will not be considered.
Initially very few will be able to attend in person as the restrictions are gradually eased. In the meantime Mass on the webcam will continue daily at 10am. Find it at http://www.salthillparish.ie/our-parish/webcam/
