Online bridge could fill the void while all bridge clubs are closed
GRAND Slam Bridge Club never had to cancel a night of play in their history up until this week when all activities were calledoff in the light of Covid-19.
Meanwhile online bridge is suggested for those desperately missing out on their weekly fix of the popular card game.
‘This is the first time we have ever had to cancel anything in close to 30 years of existence,’ said Michael Ryan of Grand Slam Bridge Club. ‘Over that time we have never even had to cancel a single night. Usually on St Patrick’s Day we would have a party in the Dominican Ecology Centre, but obviously not this year. We are just following the regulations issued by the
Government. I don’t have a crystal ball and no one knows how long the regulations will remain in place.’
For many players bridge offers a social outlet which they will sorely miss, while others will mainly miss the cut and thrust of the actual game itself.
‘There will be people confined to their houses who are widows, widowers and people who live alone who could find themselves terribly lonely. It’s important to keep in touch, even if it is only by phone. There are plenty of online tools to keep people occupied, including online bridge. It’s something that might help people though these uncertain times. Myself and my wife regularly play online bridge and have made some great friends out of added Michael.
The Ryans intend to place themselves in isolation for the next couple of weeks but Miit,’ chael feels the situation in Ireland is nothing compared to other poorer countries without the required infrastructure to deal with such a pandemic.
‘We do a lot of fundraising for a Kenya project the club is involved with and they are now going into shut-down because of coronavirus. There’s no proper health service for them to count on. If it spreads wildly then the results will be devastating. You have tribes out in the bush who won’t even know anything about what is about to hit them. It’s 100 times worse over three compared to here. We also don’t hear what is going on in Iran or Syria or all the refugee camps. I’m very thankful for all the infrastructure we have in place here.’
All Masses have been suspended in the Bray area due to the coronavirus threat. The Holy Redeemer Parish Office made an announcement last Friday morning. They said that Masses will not occur up to and including Sunday, March 29. Funeral Mass will be celebrated but attendance is being restricted to immediate family only.