The battle against Covid is far from over and we can’t be complacent

THE next week is set to be a defining one in Ireland’s battle against the Coronavirus and our country’s parallel efforts to regain some sense of normality in the face of the pandemic. In recent days we have seen a disturbing increase in cases across the country, prompting very justified fears that we could be at the start of a deadly second wave of the virus.

Despite the surge in cases, which threaten to derail our progress and plunge us back into full lock-down, many people seem to be no longer taking the threat of Covid seriously.

Young people in particular appear unconcerned about the virus and stopping its spread and a youthful feeling of invincibility is leading many to ignore the most basic social distancing and hygiene measures.

The scenes in Kilkee over the weekend – where hundreds of teens and young people spent hours drinking and mingling at a gathering compared to a mini music festival – were particularly disturbing.

That such a gathering took place is an affront to the efforts every responsible man, woman and child in Ireland has made since March to beat the virus.

It made a mockery of the selfless work done by those on the frontlines of the fight. Frankly everyone in attendance – or at least those who happily stayed even after they saw the scale of the gathering – should be ashamed of themselves. Let us hope we don’t see a repeat of such scenes again.

While it is easy to blame the young – and in cases like that in Kilkee they deserve blame – they are not the only ones at fault.

To an extent we are all responsible for Covid’s creeping return. Since the lock-down ended there has been a noticeable change in people’s behaviour when it comes to virus precautions.

Most people are still obeying the rules as best they can but a lackadaisical approach to social distancing is becoming more and more common.

After months of lock-down and restrictions it is no wonder people are feeling tired and drained. We’re putting a brave face on it but there’s no escaping the fact that Ireland’s morale is dismally low.

In that context it’s easy to see how people, weary and harried by our dreadful ‘new normal’, might be inclined to let their safe and healthy habits slip, even slightly.

It’s entirely understandable but the problem is that if everyone starts to let their standards slip the combined effect could be seismic and we could find ourselves right back where we started.

In recent days we’ve seen what has happened in Melbourne and Manchester where soaring case numbers have forced the authorities to reintroduce strict lock-down measures.

Right now Ireland is in a good position and our health chiefs seem confident that the situation is, relatively, under control.

However, events across the world have shown us just how quickly things can change. We cannot afford to be complacent.

We’ve come too far and given up too much to let our guard down now. The fight goes on and so must we.