Hotels angry at lack of support
1,140 21 CASES IN EUROPE Help self-isolated with special notes Holy joke has them laughing in the aisles
Picture courtesy of RTE
JET2 planes from the UK to Spain turned back enroute yesterday as the airline announced it was cancelling all flights to the virus-stricken country. New infections have risen sharply as the Government puts 60,000 people in four towns on lockdown.
Thursday that schools would close for two weeks sparked a national panic of stockpiling as shoppers stripped supermarket shelves.
But Nancy Stewart, who has survived two world wars and the flu pandemic, is advising people not to panic buy and not to stress. The
IT’S not all doom and gloom. Kind-hearted people are involved in a #viralkindness campaign, posting notes to neighbours saying: “Hello! If you are selfisolating, I can help.” Lecturer Becky Wass, 32, of Cornwall, devised this postcard and put it on Twitter. The idea has spread as far as Australia. Now you can help the vulnerable by cutting out, copying and using this form.
plucky 106-year-old Meath woman is advising people to wash with carbolic soap which she says will leave them as “fresh” as herself.
In her latest video the social media star reassures people that: “Everything will come right in the end.”
Born on October 16, 1913, Nancy is
older than the State and still lives mostly independently in her own home with the help of family who stay with her.
Due to her age and the current coronavirus alert, her family have asked all callers to stay away and only themselves and her carers have access to check if she is alright.
But she is taking Covid-19 in her stride – having got through the Easter Rising, the War of Independence, WWI, WWII and the 1918 flu pandemic. She said: “I’m sick here listening to this panic buying. I don’t know if there’s any necessity for it at all. I’m getting plenty to eat and all I want so I hope RESIDENTS everyone is getting the on lockdown same. So please, don’t in Spain and Italy be panic buying. are beating social “It’s very essential isolation and boosting morale to wash your hands by taking to their windows and with soap and singing in unison. And in Madrid, water and some hundreds of people stood on disinfectant or their balconies at 10pm last carbolic soap. night to applaud doctors “I’m not stressed and nurses. out a bit. And if there’s anything you don’t need – give it to someone else. Don’t just keep it in the house until it rots.” news@irishmirror.ie
Catherine, Martin and Father Brian O Fearraigh
A CO DONEGAL couple refused to let the coronavirus get in the way of their big day yesterday and wore face masks walking down the aisle.
Martin Boyle and bride-to-be Catherine Mccole exchanged vows at St Mary’s Church in Derrybeg in Gaoth Dobhair.
And the happy couple were left in stitches when Fr Brian O Fearraigh said to Martin: “You may now blink at the bride.”
The priest admitted he couldn’t take credit for the novel nuptial vow, revealing he had heard it from a friend, but added: “We all had a giggle at it.”
Fr O Fearraigh also greeted the happy couple at the altar with elbow bumps and also invited the congregation to do the same during the sign of peace.
He added that this week had been stressful for Martin and Catherine but hoped the wedding went well despite their worries about the coronavirus.
He revealed: “The facemasks were only introduced as a bit of lighthearted fun and banter to what has been a very stressful few days for the couple.”
Fr O Fearraigh said although these were worrying times, he asked the public to look out for each other.
He added: “As long as we are all prudent and abide by the health and safety advice... look out for one another, particularly our most elderly and vulnerable, please God, comfort, strength and peace will be ours.”
THE Irish Hotels Federation has described as “grossly inadequate” the Department of Finance’s response to the challenge faced by the industry as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
IHF president Elaina Fitzgerald Kane said offering to waive interest on late revenue payments temporarily did not go far enough.
She warned: “The Government is threatening tens of thousands of jobs and the ability of tourism businesses and their suppliers to survive.
“Our members are experiencing alarming levels of cancellations which are having a sudden and catastrophic impact on cash flow.”