The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘WE STAND READY’
THESE are just some of the brave men and women who are putting their health and their lives on the line in Kerry’s battle against COVID-19.
For the foreseeable future these healthcare workers – and thousands more like them in the health and emergency services – will be working around the clock to keep us all safe.
Their selflessness – and that of the hundreds of doctors and nurses flying home from around the world to join the fight – should be an inspiration to us all.
University Hospital Kerry staff are working round the clock to prepare for the surge, a spokesperson said: “Our Kerry community needs us now more than ever. In response, trojan work continues at pace inside University Hospital Kerry this week in the areas of education, training, up-skilling, building works and pathway planning to bring every support to bear in terms of the battle against COVID 19,” they said.
In the last week alone, our emergency services have been swelled by eight new gardaí and 15 new fire fighters. Still more people are coming out of retirement to lend a hand in our hospitals and to keep the county functioning.
A people can be measured by how they deal with a crisis. In this instance, Kerry can stand proud.
It is now clear that the crisis and lock-down will continue for many more weeks, and we owe it to those holding the line in our hospitals to do our bit.
As The Kerryman went to press there were 12 confirmed cases of the virus in Kerry.
In the meantime, we can all honour the work of our emergency-service heroes by doing the little that has been asked of us.
Stay at home; avoid large groups; listen to the experts and follow their instructions, and keep washing your hands. This is a defining moment for our nation and our beloved county.
Do your part.