When it's presented like this, it looks bad.

Still it's interesting that our current conception of 'bad' in Ireland, is the European idea of doing very well. https://twitter.com/newschambers/status/1290336844719304705

14-day cumulative cases per 100,000 (August 3rd):

Luxembourg: 197.4
Romania: 81.0
Spain: 60.2
Belgium: 47.7
Bulgaria: 46.0
Sweden: 30.7
Portugal: 27.5
Czechia: 26.8
Malta: 24.1
Croatia: 22.2
France: 19.8
Austria: 19.6
Netherlands: 19.2

Iceland: 19.0
Poland: 17.9
UK: 13.5
Cyprus: 12.8
Slovenia: 11.2
Denmark: 10.6
Germany: 10.3
Ireland: 8.2
Slovakia: 6.7
Lithuania: 6.4
Greece: 6.1
Italy6.0
Estonia: 4.4
Norway: 3.6
Latvia: 2.7
Finland: 2.1

General trend of infection in Europe is increasing, which is understandable as the continent opened back up.

We're still increasing at a slower pace than the rest of Europe, despite the uptick.

These latest numbers feel big to us but they look small when viewed from elsewhere.

Only 9 countries in the EU/EEA have maintained <10.0 per 100,000 and Ireland are the only country in Western Europe to do it.

While we're definitely going to rise over 10.0 at current pace, we're still a long way off current EU/EEA average, which is around 21.3 per 100,000.

The point in comparing to Europe is never meant to be "sure aren't we great".

It's to assess what living alongside Covid19 looks like - what level of cases are other countries seeing with their 'new normal' - and are we faring ok relative to that.

Every European country are at different levels of reopening.

Ireland are definitely taking a "you go first" approach on swimming in shark infested waters, by assessing other countries first.

It's not particularly brave - but it's not leg bitten off either.

I like it.