“In short, we are asking people to come together as a nation by staying apart from each other.”
Leo Varadkar’s address to the nation may not have revealed an additional Government policy when it comes to flattening the Covid-19 curve, but there was certainly merit in delivering such a speech.
Each and every one of us is facing into the unknown. Nobody can speak with certainty about when this economic, civic and social handbrake will be disengaged.
Millions of people across the planet are currently worried in a manner that probably hasn’t been experienced since Soviet missile sites were identified in Cuba.
Words may only be words, but the tempered level of reassurance delivered by the Taoiseach will have helped a great many of those who tuned in tonight, particularly the older and vulnerable living on their own.
It certainly wasn’t soaring oratory, it didn’t exactly hit the heights of Churchill, JFK or, in fictional terms, Jed Bartlett, but as an Irish citizen I’m glad Leo Varadkar spoke tonight.
“Tonight on our national holiday, I want to send a message around the world: we are in this together,” he said. “I know this is causing huge stress and anxiety to you and your family…everyone must show solidarity at this time of national sacrifice.”
“We went into this crisis with a strong economy. We have the capacity to borrow billions if we need to and I am confident our economy can bounce back. But the bill will be enormous and it will take years to pay it...we will get through this and we will prevail.”
Will the post-pandemic environment deliver the post-neoliberal age, heralding the advent of a new socio-economic model in which, to quote Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the acquisition of wealth will no longer be the driving force of our lives? Given the uncharted waters we all find ourselves in, there is no telling what level of revision that our new reality will entail.
So far, the number of Covid-19 cases in the State have been relatively small, said Mr Varadkar. “However, we believe that number will rise to 15,000 cases or more by the end of the month and rise further in the weeks thereafter.”
The Taoiseach stated: “The vast majority of us who contract Covid-19 will experience a mild illness - but some will be hospitalised and sadly some people will die. We cannot stop this virus but working together we can slow it in its tracks and push it back. We can, as you have heard by now – flatten the curve. But only if everyone takes sustained action. Nothing less will do.”
This will mean a conscious reduction in our inter-personal proximity, according to Mr Varadkar. “We all need to take steps to reduce close human contact. That is how the virus is spread. Not just at public gatherings or public places but also in our own home and places of leisure and work…I know these choices won’t be easy, but they are necessary...
"We will always put your life and your health ahead of any other concern. All resources that we have - financial and human - are being deployed to serve this great national effort…
“This is the calm before the storm – before the surge. And when it comes – and it will come – never will so many ask so much of so few. We will do all that we can to support them.”
The Taoiseach clearly wanted to reassure the nation as best he could tonight. The measured consistency of the message that he, Simon Coveney, Simon Harris and HSE Chief Tony Holohan have delivered over the past week is a far cry from the chaotic messaging emanating from both the White House and Downing Street.
We are living in extraordinary times. The people of Ireland must stay together by remaining apart. This storm will eventually break. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
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