Billy Walsh urges young people to play their part in virus battle
SPEAKING from his home in Colorado Springs in the US, Wexford native and US Olympic Boxing Coach Billy Walsh has thanked front-line staff at our hospitals for all their hard work and has urged, in particular, the young people of Wexford to play their part in the battle against Covid-19.
‘I want to give a huge shout-out to all the guys and gals on the front-line in hospitals and social services looking after people,’ Billy said. ‘We really appreciate the work you are doing and thank you very much for everything. I know it’s tiring and painful at times, but without you guys we wouldn’t be able to fight this battle against this virus.’
With the Tokyo Olympics now hanging completely in the balance as coronavirus takes its grip across the globe, Billy says that his training with the US boxing team has been completely suspended.
‘I’m at home in Colorado Springs on my own, practicing social distancing, keeping myself away from everybody, isolating myself so I don’t pass on anything or pick up anything,’ he said. ‘Our whole team has been sent home. The Olympic Training Centre is closed. Nobody is allowed other than for necessities.’
Looking towards home, he urged people to take efforts to contain the virus seriously and in particular asked young people to play their part.
‘It’s important, maybe particularly for the youth of Wexford and the youth of 2020, they can have a major impact on this virus and helping to fight it, by staying at home; by staying away from each other,’ he said. ‘For a few weeks, if we do this, we could wipe this out. The last thing in the world you want to do is pass something on to your grandparents or some of your friend’s grandparents.’
‘So please be careful, look after each other. Unfortunately we’ve got to stay away from each other, but it’ll be for a short while hopefully, until we master and beat this disease.’