The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)

The Government’s mixed up message on virus cannot be allowed continue

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THERE is a growing and very justifiabl­e concern about the new Government’s handling of the Coronaviru­s lock-down and the path to reopening Ireland. In the early stages of the crisis Leo Varadkar, Simon Harris, Tony Holohan and the emergency health teams leading the COVID-19 response came in for considerab­le criticism due to the lack of detailed informatio­n being released and the mixed messages emanating from various agencies.

In the face of public confusion and anxiety they were quick to change tack and it wasn’t long before detailed figures and coherent messaging became the norm.

While the news was rarely good the daily briefings led by Tony Holohan provided needed reassuranc­e to a frightened public.

The situation might have been dire and unpreceden­ted but there was a feeling that those in charge knew what they were doing and had a handle on the situation.

Things, unfortunat­ely, have changed in the last few weeks and since our long awaited new Government took office the messaging around the virus has lost much if its vital, reassuring tone.

Three areas in particular – schools, travel and pubs – highlight the Government’s failure to get to grips with the situation.

The continuing closure of most pubs is arguably the least serious of these issues but it has led to significan­t public anger and the lack of clarity being provided to publicans is grossly unfair.

An apparent tendency to blame pubs for spikes in COVID cases fails to recognise the fact that most pubs are closed – and therefore can have nothing to do with new cases. It should be noted that Ireland’s publicans were among the very first businesses to close and most did so voluntaril­y for the good of the country.

That seemingly nothing – save the issuing of vague guidelines – is being done to clamp down on house parties only adds to the bad taste in the mouths of out of work bar workers.

The Government acted on expert health advice when they postponed pubs’ reopening and they were, unquestion­ably right to do so. However, the manner in which it was done leaves a lot to be desired. If anything sums up the current confusion it was the roll out of the travel ‘Green List’ last week. The announceme­nt was a muddled shambles with officials and cabinet members disagreein­g whether it should have been released at all.

“You can travel and here’s where you can go. But please don’t travel unless it’s essential, even though we can’t say what’s essential. Actually, please stay home to holiday and support the economy. But please try not to go out while you’re doing it.” It’s a message so utterly muddled Boris Johnson would be proud. Pubs and travel are important issues but they are both trumped by the looming problem of opening schools which is expected to be resolved in a matter of weeks. Getting schools open is vital and how to do that is a challenge that would confound any expert. Unfortunat­ely, with just weeks to go, it is only now that we are seeing a plan to get pupils back in classrooms.

Sorting out travel and pubs need to be sorted out. If those relatively simple problems can’t be solved it’s hard to imagine a cogent solution to the school opening conundrum.

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