THE NEXT 3 DAYS ARE CRITICAL ...AS WERE THE LAST 40

DO those words sounds familiar? After the past six months of the pandemic, they should be, by now, imprinted in the public’s mind. They are certainly cemented in the discourse of medical and health professionals. So, with cases increasing, is it now a ‘critical time’ to change how this important message is conveyed to the public?

SEPTEMBER 30

‘We do need to see a significant improvement over the coming days in Dublin and we are not seeing it yet. The next three to four days are critical’ – Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn during his recent appearance at the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.

SEPTEMBER 28

‘The next two weeks are critical and I am calling on everyone to bring extra focus to the task for the next fortnight’ – Taoiseach Micheál Martin as he launched a leaflet for the National Framework for Living with Covid-19.

SEPTEMBER 25

‘The next two to three weeks represent a critical juncture’ – Further Education Minister Simon Harris, announcing measures for colleges to move online.

SEPTEMBER 24

‘The next ten days will be critical’ – Taoiseach Micheál Martin, at a press conference at Oliver Bond Street flats in Dublin.

SEPTEMBER 23

‘If we are starting to suppress the virus again, it is essential that we maintain this effort, limit our social contacts, limit mixing between households. The next 10 days are critical’ – Prof. Philip Nolan during health briefing.

SEPTEMBER 17

‘In Dublin we are seeing a particularly high incidence rate of Covid. We are at a critical juncture. We will need a united and collective effort to reduce transmission’ – Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, below, on Twitter.

SEPTEMBER 11

‘47% of the cases reported today are in Dublin City and County. For the people of Dublin in particular, this is a critical moment to address the spread of the disease in the community’ – Dr Ronan Glynn in a statement announcing that day’s cases.

SEPTEMBER 8

‘The next seven days are vital; everyone needs to reduce their contacts and assume any person they meet may be carrying the virus’ – Dr Ronan Glynn in a statement, announcing that night’s figures.

AUGUST 18

‘It’s hard to know what to say. People are tired, fed up and worried. Sure how could we all be anything else. But we are at a crucial moment. This is not a drill’ – Simon Harris on Twitter.