In the war on Covid the coalition risks losing the fight for hearts and minds

FROM the very outset of the Covid crisis, war analogies have never been far away. Every day we hear the tales of front-line heroes who are leading the fight in the battle against the virus. Across the world political leaders constantly seek to evoke a sense of Britain’s fabled ‘ blitz spirit’ as they encourage their people to keep calm and carry on.

JFK’s famous plea looms large as we are encouraged to knuckle down; do our bit and ask not what our country can do for us.

Such tactics have worked until now but, as the war on Covid drags on, the Irish government needs to beware of another war phenomenon – fatigue and falling morale.

World War II analogies may have seemed like the way to go in the early days of the crisis. In recent weeks it has been Vietnam or Afghanistan that spring to mind.

As the interminable crisis rolls ever on, the will to fight is clearly waning among a large portion of the tired public and the Government’s uninspiring tactics aren’t helping.

In terms of actually dealing with the virus, the Government is doing a good job. The number of cases here remains low, even as they soar across the world. Most importantly, the number of people losing their lives has dropped significantly. A day without deaths is now, thankfully, a regular occurrence.

Where the problems arise – and they are major ones – is in how the Government is communicating its message and its increasingly poor attempts to keep the public onside and in the fight.

In the last fortnight the Government has made a number of major calls. Initially keeping the pubs closed caused most outcry but the decision on Friday to impose localised lock-downs on Kildare, Laois and Offaly has, very understandably, eclipsed the pubs in the headlines.

Going on health advice and based on international experience, the decisions on pubs, sporting crowds and the midlands lockdown were unquestionably correct.

However, the manner in which they were carried out was ham fisted and has left a bitter taste in many mouths.

Many publicans, with considerable justification, feel as though they are being victimised and blacklisted even as the Government insists there is no blame game when it comes to Covid.

There is a growing feeling among the public that the Government simply don’t understand life in rural Ireland and what the restrictions are doing to it.

The message that ‘ we’re all in this together’ is ringing hollow. When it comes to the local lock-downs the public anger is easy to understand. The Government failed to act on warnings about meat factories and direct provision centres for weeks and a major crisis has developed.

The Government had to act but it’s refusal to even acknowledge the part its own failures – and the odious direct provision system – played in the current situation has infuriated many.

If Ireland is to beat Covid-19 the battle for hearts and minds will be critical. Right now the coalition Government is losing this battle and that simply has to change.