Now is not the time for government spin
LITTLE did we know, but we have the best in class leaders, right across the world right now.
We are blessed to have them in this COVID-19 crisis.
At their briefings they tell us, just how on top they are of everything and how everything is in hand.
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson told the British people on March 2, after chairing his first Cobra meeting weeks into the crisis, that the virus was likely to cause significant problems but offered reassurance saying ‘ this country is very, very well prepared ... we’ve got fantastic testing systems, amazing surveillance of the spread of disease’. Just over a week later widespread testing and contact tracing was abandoned and we know just how well the UK have fared in their response to COVID-19.
The ludicrous statements from President Trump could fill a book of their own. Nothing to see here people, move along.
Here our own government have made several questionable statements about Ireland’s perparedness, response and boasted of being amongst the best nations in Europe in terms of testing, contact tracing and now unwinding the lockdown.
Fortunately our interim government have been more grounded and truthful than our neighbours to our east and west but the urge to gild the lily is something all leaders seem unable to resist.
This crisis is unprecendented, but rather than being truthful and admiting to the shortcomings, the difficulties in securing PPE for instance, the failure to protect nursing homes, every leader and government minister puts a positive spin on their management of the crisis.
Mistakes have been made. Geninue mistakes, not through sloppy practice or misguided bravado, but simply brought about by the scale of the crisis and the speed at which important decisions had to be made.
Speaking on the Late Late Show on Friday night, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin acknowledged that ministers have done their best in extraordinary circumstances but pointed out mistakes have occurred and you expect that to be case given the circumstances.
No one has all the answers we don’t expect ministers to be any different. It should be okay to admit shortcomings, mistakes and failures. At this time surely honesty and humilty is best.
IT SHOULD BE OKAY TO ADMIT SHORTCOMINGS, MISTAKES AND FAILURES. AT THIS TIME SURELY HONESTY AND HUMILTY IS BEST.
Picture Ken Finegan/Newspics