On lockdown in Lanzarote Communities offering help to those in isolation
BRAY Endeavour Award Person of the Year is on lockdown in Lanzarote, and only permitted to leave his accommodation for essentials.
He travelled to the island as part of a group of 18 for triathlon training camp with Oliver Harkin’s Primed Coaching. Nine of their number remain at the Sands Beach Resort with the others having made it onto flights home or to family.
Rob was originally meant to go home next Saturday but as the situation developed, he decided to try to get home last weekend.
He was able to purchase a one-way ticket home for Saturday but Aer Lingus then cancelled all flights.
‘They’ve locked down the whole island until further notice,’ said Rob, who is hoping to be able to get home some time this week. He described the atmosphere on the island as ‘eerie’.
Rob received the Person of the Year Award from Bray and District Chamber last October for his charity work for local groups like Martin Codyre and The Gavin Glynn Foundation and his sporting success, including three Iron Man competitions in 2019.
The group of triathletes was staying at and training from Sands but no training is permitted now.
‘There’s no cycling, no running, no swimming. You can’t go outside unless it’s for supplies or to go to the bank or the airport. There’s a fine of €600,’ said Rob.
He had flown out the previous week, at that time with two or so cases in Ireland. He and the rest of the group were fine for the first couple of days, but as things started to escalate, they found it all very unnerving and couldn’t relax and enjoy the training. ‘Nobody had their head in the game training-wise,’ he said. ‘Everyone on the camp, from age 22 to 60, was feeling stressed.’
Rob said that by Monday the police were on the streets. Rob and others in the group rented cars on Saturday and were trying to get some of their peers on flights, and the youngest member of the group, aged 22, to relatives in Spain.
‘The airport was like a scene out of Independence Day,’ said Rob. ‘It was end of the earth stuff, complete carnage.’
He said that he and other members of his team unable to get out of Lanzarote returned to their hotel and checked in again. On the way they saw that all restaurants and pubs were closed down.
Rob would much prefer to be at home. His parents are in their 70s and he faces a two-week period of isolation once he returns to Irish soil. ‘I wanted to get that started and get it out of the way,’ he said.
Rob has his laptop with him and can potentially work from his apartment. He is self employed as a contract project manager. He is currently working with
Bank of America in the compliance and securities regulation area.
He wouldn’t rule out a global or local recession after the coronavirus pandemic passes. ‘It depends on how hard America get it,’ he said.
In terms of competing as a triathlete, that’s postponed for now.
‘All races are going to be cancelled so the season is over before it starts,’ said Rob, whose concerns now lie primarily with his family.
Bray COVID Isolation Community Help is one of numerous local Facebook pages and groups being set up in County Wicklow to organise help for people across the community.
Founder Aoife Connaughton set the group up late last week.
More than 500 people are now members and requests to join continue to come in steadily.
‘Overwhelmingly at the moment it’s offers to volunteer,’ said Aoife, who lives in the Sidmonton Road area.
She said that some members are also using the group to signpost useful information from councillors and the HSE.
‘I would imagine over time more people will engage with the group who are looking for help, particularly once they become ill,’ said Aoife.
She said that advice is being sought and shared now, and she would anticipate that volunteerism will be required over the coming weeks and month.
‘So many people are willing to help and I thought this was a great way to do it,’ said Aoife.
‘Not to recreate what is happening elsewhere, but to work in conjunction with them. I know for example that the volunteer network is looking for ways to connect people, and that Alone is helping to connect people.’
‘The most basic thing we can all do now is look out for our direct neighbours on our roads,’ said Aoife.
‘Isolation is a big concern, so we can make sure people aren’t left alone.
‘You can stand at the end of a drive and have a chat. Contact can be done in a way that is not putting anyone at risk.’
She said that people might feel scared and isolated, so we can pick up the phone and have a chat.
Aoife said that even though there has to be a physical distance, connections can still be maintained and that it’s important to keep the mood up and be as active as possible.
‘According to the HSE guidelines, even people in self-isolation can go for a walk as long as they keep their distance, don’t touch anything, and was their hands when they come home.’