'Calm before the storm ... but we will prevail' — Taoiseach
In an address to the nation tonight, he said the situation could go 'well beyond the summer'. "We just don't know yet when it will be over." He said the choices already asked of people have not been easy, 'but they are necessary'. "More will be needed," he added.
He said the most basic messages of hygiene are still the most important, and also for people to watch for any relevant symptoms such as a new cough and a high temperatures.
"At a certain point we will be asking the elderly and and those with a long-term illness to stay at home fort several weeks. We call it cocooning, and it will save many lives. It will be difficult to stay away from our loved ones, but as hard as it is, we need to keep our distance." He said everybody should avoid unnecessary journeys, shop online where possible and have things delivered.
He praised the work of all in the front-line medical, defence forces, teaching, logistical, and food store areas for joining a 'great national effort'. "Not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and gowns."
The Taoiseach noted the already deep impact on jobs and economic activity, which will continue. Saying that the government doesn't yet 'have all the answers' to deal with it, he said 'we're working on it'. "Our economy was in good shape at the start of this, and we have the capacity and the credit rating to borrow billions if necessary. This is going to cost a lot and will take a long time to repay … we will get people back to work, and we will get businesses back up.
"We will get through this, and we will prevail," he continued, adding that the fear which the situation can cause must also be contained. He asked people to 'take breaks from the news' and also not to forward messages on social media. "Do not forward or share messages that are from other, unreliable sources. So much harm has already been caused by those messages and we must insulate our communities and the most vulnerable from the contagion of fear."
He concluded by expressing solidarity with China, Spain and Italy, and 'all those living in the shadow of what is to come'. "We are with you. Viruses are the shared enemy of all humanity. Tonight, I send a message of friendship and of hope from Ireland to everyone around the world this Saint Patrick’s Day."
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