Stamping out this deadly virus is in our own hands, so we must ALL do our duty

HOW far are we prepared to go in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens from the deadly coronavirus?

It might feel, as spring takes hold and magnificent sunsets have lifted the spirits of many, that this crisis will not overwhelm our nation’s resolve.

All the evidence, however, suggests it will get a lot worse before it gets better. We see daily reminders of this from Italy, and if we want to avoid deaths on that staggering, heartbreaking scale, we must get a lot more serious about prevention measures we can all take.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made a commendable effort to rally the nation with his speech on St Patrick’s Day, when 1.6million people tuned in. His words, for good or ill, will go down in history; they will be a mark in time when we look back and see if the nation either came together and heeded his call or ignored his plea and set course for catastrophe. The pathogen infects indiscriminately, and the blithe comfort many seem to take in the difference in outcomes between the young and fit and those less healthy is dangerous and callous thinking. We are a community, and no one person, man or woman, adult or child, young or old, has any less right to survive this than another.

We will know over the coming days and weeks whether our efforts have been enough. We will find out if people have heeded the call to limit contact, or if the anecdotal reports of children running in and out of each others’ houses prove true. We will know if the recklessness shown by some rural pubs in ignoring the ban on opening, in defiance of the clear instruction to stay shuttered, has had the gravest of consequences.

All the international evidence suggests that early and draconian intervention can stem the spread of this virus. If we are not to take such action here, the government needs to explain why not. We do not know if a more stringent lockdown is needed but, again, the evidence that those off work have been flooding into rural beauty spots and picnicking close together suggests many have still not grasped the severity of the threat.

Today is Mother’s Day, and many, many thousands will have to face the pain of not being able to hug the most important woman in their lives, but in truth absence is the greatest gift they will ever give her. We make no apologies for being stark – it is better to leave the flowers until next year, rather than leaving them on a grave.

Most Irish people know Italy as a country of sunshine and good food, of wine and holiday cheer. The images of army trucks removing bodies are heartbreaking but also a reminder that the Italians were tardy at the start and have paid an immense price.

If total lockdown becomes necessary, no political or economic consideration should delay it. Inconvenience is nothing compared to the unthinkable alternative.

In the meantime, talk to the young and old alike to reinforce the social distancing message. The solution to this crisis literally is in our hands and we firmly believe that, if shown the leadership, our country will not be found wanting.