Varadkar: 'This is the calm before the storm, before the surge'

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressed the nation tonight and laid out the Government's response and action plans in the battle against the Coronavirus. Here's an edited version of his speech.

 

"We're in the middle of a global and national emergency, a pandemic, the likes of which none of us have seen before.

"So far the number of cases in Ireland has been relatively small. However, we believe, the number will rise to 15,000 cases or more by the end of the month, and rise further in the weeks thereafter.

"The vast majority of us who contract Covid 19 will experience only a mild illness.

"But many will be hospitalised. And sadly, some people will die.

"We can't stop the virus. but working together, we can slow it in its tracks and push it back. We can as you've heard by now, flatten the curve, but only if everyone takes sustained action. Nothing less will do.

"We all need to take steps to reduce close human contact. That's how the virus has spread, not just with public gatherings, or in public places, but also in our own homes, places of leisure and places of work. Large public gatherings are cancelled. All pubs and bars are shut. We've asked people to curtail or cancel social gatherings, like parties, weddings and other celebrations.

"I know these choices won't be easy, but they are necessary and more will be required in the coming weeks to reduce the spread of the virus.At all times we will be guided and take the expert advice from our public health emergency team, led by the Chief Medical Officer. We will always put your life and your health, ahead of any other consideration.

"I know it's going to be very difficult to stay apart from our loved ones. Grandparents, just want to give their grandkids a hug and a kiss around about now.

"But as hard as it is, we need to keep our physical distance to stop the virus. Technology can help too. Check in with your loved ones on Skype or FaceTime and promise them, that you'll see them again soon.

"We've already seen our fantastic community spirit spring into action. Phone your neighbours, see if they need help and make sure that those who are living alone are not left alone.

"To all the people watching, I know you're probably a bit bored and fed up by now. You want to see your friends. You might even be wishing you were back at school tomorrow.

"But you're gonna have to wait a while longer for that. And I hope you remember that this time is tough on your parents as well. So I'm asking you to ask your parents at least once a day, what you can do to help them keep up your schoolwork and call your grandparents.

"Like you, my family have spoken about little else  in recent days, My partner, my two sisters and both their husbands are working in the health service here in Ireland and under the UK. They are all apprehensive. They've heard the stories from China and Italy of hospitals being overwhelmed and medical staff getting sick. I'm so proud of them all.

"Not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and gowns and all of our healthcare workers need us to do the right thing in the weeks ahead. Our Community Services and hospitals are being tooled up. Essential equipment is on the way. Retired staff are returning to service. People are training for changed roles.

"This is the calm before the storm, before the surge. When it comes and it will come, never will so many ask so much of so few. We will do all that we can support them.

"I'm also grateful to the many people who have joined this great national effort, not just our healthcare staff, but also our army cadets, librarians, our civil servants who are now learning to do contact tracing. The early education and childcare workers, offering to look after children for our frontline staff, so they can go to work.

"The teachers and lecturers, finding new, innovative ways to teach students online and putting together contingency plans for the Leaving Cert and college exams.

"The people who are stocking our shelves every day. And those who are serving customers. Our hauliers who leave their families on a Sunday evening and travel across the continent to ensure that we have the products medicines and equipment that we need.

"All those who keep our supply chain moving, working in transport, we thank them. Our journalists and broadcasters who are helping us to inform and educate the public are all deserving of our respect and thanks.

"Coronavirus is already having a deep impact on jobs and economic activity, and will continue to do so.

"Some people watching will have seen their jobs lost, business closed, or working hours reduced and more will be worried that it might happen to them too, especially as we don't know when the emergency will end.

"I know this is causing huge stress and anxiety to you and your families on top of the fear of the virus.

"Well, we don't have all the answers now, we are doing, and we'll do all we can to help you through the time ahead.

"You'll receive income support as quickly and efficiently as possible. And when we're through the worst, we will get people back to work and get businesses open again.

"Everyone in our society must show solidarity at this time of national national sacrifice.

"For those who lost their jobs, and how their incomes reduced there will be help and understanding from those who can give it, particularly the banks, government bodies and utilities.

"We went into this crisis with a strong economy and the public finances in good order. We have the capacity and credit rating to borrow billions if we need to and I'm confident that our economy will bounce back, but the damage will be significant and lasting.

"The bill will be enormous. And it may take years to pay it. The Government has already signed off on a €3billion package for health, social welfare and business, and we'll take further action as needed.

"Tonight I know many of you are feeling scared and overwhelmed. That's a normal reaction. But we will get through this. And we will prevail.

"We need to halt the spread of the virus. But we also need to halt the spread of fear. So please rely only on information from trusted sources, from Government and the HSE, The World Health Organisation, and from the national media.

"Please don't forward or share messages that are from other unreliable sources. So much harm has already been caused by those messages. We must insulate our communities and the most vulnerable from the contagion of fear, a virus in itself. Take regular breaks from watching the news and media and consuming solid media, constantly scrolling on your phone, obsessively following the latest developments isn't good for anyone. Look after your mental health and well being, as well as your physical health.

"Tonight on a national holiday. I want to send a message around the world.
We are in this together, to the people of China, Spain and Italy, who suffered untold heartbreak and loss. We are with you.

"Everyone who's lost a loved one to this virus. We are with you. To all those living in the shadow of what is to come. We are with you. Viruses pay no attention to borders, race, nationality or gender. They are the shared enemy of all of humanity. And so it will be a shared enterprise of all humanity that finds a treatment, and a vaccine that protects us. Tonight I send a message of friendship and of hope from Ireland to everyone around the world.