Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my report.
Another week on and we are still to the good, Buíochas le Dia. If there is anything good to say about this present crisis, it has to be the weather. As they say it is like the doctor ordered it. The whole world is in turmoil and new needs come on stream by the minute and new methods have to be found to try and meet them. For instance test centres. They are popping up all over the place, in football pitches and other open areas. The mild weather is playing it’s part. If we were getting wind and rain the temporary structures wouldn’t stand up to the pressure of elements and the important work of testing could not be held in such large numbers and by all accounts early detection is vital.
It is regrettable that we still have some people who haven’t grasped the importance of isolation and personal cleansing. You’d wish they would spare a thought for all our doctors, nurses, medical staff and volunteers who put their own lives in danger to save the rest of us. My heart goes out to them and to our medical people who are working abroad and can’t ignore the call of home and come to help. They surely must be inspired by some super power that motivates them to turn a blind eye on their own safety to look after others. The whole world is in their debt. At local level we are still trying to get used to the life-changing situation that we have found ourselves in. But we are getting there. Did we ever think that we would confine ourselves to a space of four feet in every direction. St. Patrick’s Day was different from anything that we have ever seen before. But to keep the custom alive in our hearts, families, who had no public parade to dress up for or watch, held their own ritual at home. Thanks to modern media the little home-made parades were whisked off to family and friends, on line where they could be watched over and over. Tri-colours were hung out and shamrock worn with pride. Letting the world know, ‘that we shall overcome’.
