The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response will focus on the coronavirus infection rate among healthcare workers, when it meets, today. In a submission, Fórsa told the committee that it had received many reports of health and social care professional staff who were reassigned to duties directly related to the pandemic response and whom became infected. SIPTU told politicians that it believes some healthcare workers did not declare symptoms of Covid-19 to their employers because they were worried about losing overtime and premiums if they were put on leave. Meanwhile the INMO has said that said two-thirds of nurses who have contracted and then recovered from Covid-19 are still experiencing post-viral fatigue.

The 27 member states of the European Union this morning signed off on a €1.8 trillion package to fund the next seven years of spending and inject funds into struggling economies to help them weather the devastation of the pandemic.

Fintan O’Toole has this opinion piece in the Times where he heavily criticises the Department of Education over its apparent lack of preparation for reopening schools.

The acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has expressed concern at the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in workplaces, with outbreaks of the virus in a range of work settings, including in construction, in fast food outlets and in supermarkets.The comments came following reports that a building site in Dublin city centre has been closed down temporarily after more than 20 workers tested positive for Covid-19, RTE reports.

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris will seek Government approval for over €100 million in additional funding to assist the third-level sector with coronavirus costs.

Older people living alone in the years before they retire are at greater risk of having inadequate income in retirement than those who are married or cohabiting with a partner, according to the latest research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has fallen by almost half since the peak of the jobs crisis in early May, according to the latest figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

A freeze on rents and a ban on evictions has been extended until 1 August, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien has announced. It came hours ahead of existing ban on evictions lapsing last night. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Threshold says the Government will be judged on the robustness of legislation to protect private renters.

And finally, the final instalment of Fórsa’s series of live wellness webinars takes place on Wednesday (22nd July) at 10am, when our own Billy Hannigan talks with financial guru Trevor Gardiner about managing money in these uncertain times.

Alanis Morissette brings us our zen this morning with Hand in My Pocket. 

Have a good day folks.