Healthcare workers with childcare problems may be permitted to work from home if they have exhausted all potential alternative options, the Times reports. The Independent also wrote about the potential staffing problems this new measure could cause. It is understood that the HSE proposed that where healthcare workers could not find childcare, they would be able to remain at home and be paid.

12,000 staff at British Airways (BA) may be laid off permanently and the recovery from the Covid-19 crisis will take several years, the IAG conglomerate that also owns Aer Lingus has warned. The proposed job losses account for over a quarter of all the staff at BA.

The Labour Party has responded to the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael framework document with five questions for the two parties, the Journal reports. The letter from Labour Leader Alan Kelly addressed to the two leaders included questions about how much the government was prepared to borrow in the following years to maintain public services and secure additional investment. The Labour Party also questioned what taxation measures FF-FG were prepared to consider, and how they proposed to guarantee that a radical programme for government can be implemented over the next five years without increases in taxation for high earners.

The use of face masks in public could become the ‘new normal’ and is being considered as part of efforts to tackle coronavirus in Ireland, the chief medical officer has said. Dr Tony Holohan’s comments came as the Scottish government issued guidance for people to shield their faces in places such as shops and on public transport.

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has urged parents to avoid any delays in seeking treatment for their children during the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital has said there has been a reduction in attendance at emergency departments for children across its hospitals and at the urgent care since schools were closed across the country over six weeks ago. It is also seeing cases where there’s been a delay in children being brought to its hospitals with injuries or illnesses that require an emergency assessment.

Finally, RTÉ has compiled 6 good stories that hopefully work as an antidote to all the bad news going around, and bring you a moment of zen today. Stay safe everyone!