Community spirit to the fore as people pull together

If there’s one silver lining to be found in the darkening clouds of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s the out flowing of community spirit which has been demonstrated in recent days.

With daily updates on the growing numbers of people in Ireland affected by the coronavirus and calls for older people and those in other high risks categories to exercise social distancing and stay away from crowded places, local community groups, sports clubs, businesses and individual citizens have been offering to help people with shopping or collecting prescriptions.

GAA clubs throughout the county have been to the fore, urging members of the public to let them know if they or family members need assistance with getting groceries, fuel or prescriptions. They are also calling on people to keep in communication with their elderly neighbours during this worrying time.

ALONE, the organisation that supports older people has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland.

Professional staff will be available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line will be open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024, and hours may be extended to meet the demand.

A number of local restaurants and bars which closed done donated food supplies to Dundalk Simon Community. Others that remain open have offered take-away and home delivery service.

On the other side of the coin, Dundalk Red Cross had to issue a warning to alert people that bogus callers were going to houses in the Dundalk area, claiming that they were carrying out testing for coronavirus in order to gain entry to houses to carry out thefts.