Category Archives: Coronavirus

We know a lot of our members are very keen to volunteer to help the vulnerable in our society at this time of need. We have been so impressed with the response to the setting up of our Support Network.

If you’d like to volunteer for other roles, in a wider geographic area, please have a look at the Volunteer Ireland website. They co-ordinate volunteers for all sorts of organisations, charities etc. They are expecting a large need for volunteers over the coming months.

You can find more information here: https://www.volunteer.ie/about-us/covid-19/

A lot of the supermarkets are implementing special times for older or more vulnerable shoppers.

Lidl announced that it is prioritising older shoppers at stores nationwide from 9am until 11am every day.

Tesco announced that every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, people over 65 and home carers will have dedicated access to its 151 stores in Ireland from between 7am/8am (depending on location) until 9am. 

Dunnes Stores are introducing priority shopping for the elderly between 11am and 1pm. There will be ”designated checkouts and dedicated staff” during these hours. Dunnes have asked customers with children to ‘avoid’ shopping at their stores between 11am and 1pm.

Aldi – Dedicated hours for elderly shoppers 11am to 1pm daily

SuperValu (Hours for elderly customers only)
Mount Merrion – (from Monday 23rd): 8am to 10am
Churchtown – 7.30am to 8.30am

Local Shops: Lynam’s and Roebuck Pharmacy are operating a 1 person in, 1 person out policy (max 3 customers in the shop in Lynam’s) to make shopping there safer for both customers and staff.

You can order deliveries from Lynam’s on 01 2981061.
Roebuck Pharmacy can be contacted on (01) 298 1295.
Goatstown Pharmacy can be contacted on (01) 296 5244/086 3100 749, email: goatstownpharmacy@gmail.com. They do deliveries.

Milkman – Avonmore run a milkman service in the area. You can sign up here: https://www.mymilkman.ie/ They deliver dairy products, juice, eggs, soup, some bread etc.

Newspapers – The Irish Times operates a delivery service in the area. You can sign up here: https://www.newsdelivery.ie/. They deliver Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, RTE Guide and lots of other newspapers etc.

Fruit and Veg – There are a few fruit and veg delivery companies, which you can google.

One is https://www.greenearthorganics.ie/. They deliver around here on Fridays (Orders must be in by Tuesday afternoon, you can also set up a weekly standing order). They also deliver a large range of other groceries.

Eco-Logic (in front of the entrance to the Central Mental Hospital), also do organic fruit and veg deliveries in the area. They also have a limited supply of organic meat, and bread. Tel; (01) 296 2632

Postage Stamps – You can buy stamps online at https://www.anpost.com/Shop/Stamps-labels/National

Taney Area Residents’ Association have put together some great ideas to keep everyone busy online, so we thought we’d share them with you.
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As the playground is now closed and off limits, one way to keep some kids occupied is to ask them to take part in the reverse St . Patrick’s Day Parade; i.e display their artwork in the porch/front windows for passers by to see (while observing social distancing!). It’s also suggested that these can also be posted online with the hashtags #ReverseStPatricksDay #Paddy’s_Panes #Together #CelebrateInsideOut #ArtFlashMob . Don’t forget to tag Taney if you’re posting on Twitter (@Taneyresi).

As well as the barage of worrying updates, there is still some positivity online:

For our younger folk – the author Oliver Jeffers will be reading one of his books online, starting at 6pm tomorrow. More details on his Facebook page.

For the culturally inclined  – the link below is a guide to 12 famous museums offer virtual tours you can take from your couch.https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

David Coleman (Clinical Psychologist), tomorrow Monday 8-9pm, will be online (look him up on Facebook) to answer questions about coping with anxieties and its impact on families.

Former DJ Anton Savage has tweeted a list of not to be missed shows on Netflix, hopefully to suit all tastes.

Rubber Bandits are doing a poll on the topic of their podcast on Wednesday.

In response to the evolving Coronavirus outbreak, Roebuck Residents’ Association has established a Support Network for our neighbours who may, in the coming weeks/months, be restricted to their homes, or otherwise be unable to get out and about.

Through a network of local volunteers, we will arrange for a nominated resident to collect food, medicines, etc. on your behalf and deliver them to your home. In addition, Lynam’s have indicated they are happy to make local deliveries, and can be contacted directly at 01 298 1061. Roebuck Pharmacy can be contacted at 01 298 1295. Goatstown Pharmacy (beside The Goat) can also deliver, help to source items and offer advice and guidance. Phone number:  01 296 5244, email: goatstownpharmacy@gmail.com and mobile: 086 3100 749

If at any time over the next few weeks/months you wish to avail of the service, you can email us at roebuckresidents@gmail.com, giving your name, address and phone number. We already have a large number of volunteers who are keen to help so don’t be slow to request assistance. If you or a member of your household is unlucky enough to come down with Covid-19 and/or you need to self-isolate, get in touch with us. We will identify a volunteer from your immediate neighbourhood where possible to support you with shopping and other such tasks. Our approach will be always be to operate within the most recent HSE Guidelines. Please note that volunteering will not involve physical contact with people who have been unlucky enough to be infected or who are self-isolating.

Detailed information on the Coronavirus and protecting yourself and others is available from the HSE on their website, www.HSE.ie, and includes:

1. An overview of the Coronavirus
2. How to protect yourself and others
3. Self-Isolation

The HSE website is updated on a daily basis and we are all are advised to check it frequently. You can also phone their information number 1850 24 1850.

Here are a few specific pointers that you and the volunteers will need to pay attention to in order to maintain a safe distance of 1.5 to 2 metres – this is important in order to limit the spreads of the virus any further.
When the initial contact has been made, try to limit all further contact to phone conversations.

People with the virus or self-isolating should:

• If possible, wear a mask when answering the door to the volunteer
• Do not shake hands
• Place your shopping list and money on the ground outside the front door and stand back from the door
• Wash your hands before preparing and avoid coughing/sneezing on any shopping list or money you are giving to the volunteer

Volunteers should:

• Ring the doorbell and step back while waiting for the person to answer the door
• Do not shake or touch hands
• Ask them to leave money and lists on the doorstep and to step back into the hall while you pick them up.
• On return, leave the items on the doorstep, ring the bell and step back.
• Wash your hands immediately after visiting someone who is self-isolating
• Avoid touching your face

Also, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has passed on information regarding a FREEPHONE service (from www.thirdageireland.ie) called SeniorLine, which older callers can call free between 10am and 10pm every day of the year on 1800 804 591.

We’ve been requested to pass on the additional measures announced by the Government yesterday. Please read and follow this advice. 
The first two paragraphs are worth repeating in this post:

It is important to reduce the risk of further spread of the infection.

Self-isolate: People are now being asked to stay at home if they have ‘flu-like symptoms (for example, fever, cough and so on) regardless of travel or contact history.

Social Interactions: Reduce interactions with people outside the workplace as much as possible.

All citizens are required to:

• avoid crowded places
• increase interpersonal distance (ideally separation of at least 2 metres, not shaking hands, avoiding communal sleeping areas)
• when in crowded settings, people should practice personal protective measures as they usually do (for example, frequent hand hygiene, avoid touching eyes/nose/mouth)

Vulnerable Groups

Protective self-separation is recommended for a person who is at high-risk of severe illness from COVID-19, when the virus is circulating in their community.

These groups include:

• all people aged 75 years and over
• people (adults and children) with long-term medical conditions including people with cardiac and respiratory conditions
• people whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment including cancer patients
• patients with any condition that can compromise respiratory function
• residents of nursing homes and other long-stay settings (including disability, mental health and older persons services)
• all over 50-year olds within the specialist disability health services
• all people in the specialist disability health services with an underlying health condition

In response to the evolving Coronavirus outbreak, Roebuck Residents’ Association has decided to organise a Support Network for our neighbours who may, in the coming weeks/months, be restricted to their homes, or otherwise be unable to get out and about.

Through the network, we will set up a collection and delivery service for food, medicines,etc. In addition, Lynam’s have indicated they are happy to make local deliveries, and can be contacted directly at 01-2981061. Roebuck Pharmacy can be contacted at 01-298 1295. Goatstown Pharmacy (beside The Goat) can also deliver, help to source items and offer advice, guidance and support. Phone number:  01 296 5244, email: goatstownpharmacy@gmail.com and mobile: 086 3100 749

Our approach will be always be to operate within the HSE Guidelines. Please note that volunteering will not involve physical contact with people who have been unlucky enough to be infected or who are self-isolating.

For those who don’t have access to our emails, we will devise and deliver directly an information sheet, including, for example, an overview and detailed references to the simple Dos and Don’ts as identified by the HSE. This process is well in hand but will take another couple of days to implement.

Key links relevant to the above information sheet are as follows:
The HSE website: www.hse.ie,
Corona virus overview – https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html
Protect yourself and others –   https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/protect-yourself.html  
Self-isolation Dos and Don’ts –  https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html

The HSE website is currently being updated on a daily basis so residents are advised to check back frequently.

Also, DLRCoCo has passed on information regarding a FREEPHONE service (from www.thirdageireland.ie) called SeniorLine, which older callers can call free between 10am and 10pm every day of the year on 1800 804 591.