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Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has timely advice during this coronavirus pandemic so we print it here in full
Learn from China's actions
There is a lot of fear surrounding Coronavirus. Given the quick spread and impact on a small but meaningful proportion of those who catch it, this is understandable. But there is a way to minimise risk for you and your family. The statistics out of China teach us that. Let’s learn from their actions.
Schools are closing, sports and other major events are being cancelled. Companies are telling workers to work remotely. People are being laid off. Cafes, restaurants and bars are shutting their doors, and doctors’ surgeries are being disrupted. These are very sensible actions, and there will be more to come.
Our healthcare system is bracing itself to face a tidal wave of patients with large numbers potentially needing life-saving critical care. Medical experts are forecasting there will not be enough ICU beds.
We are all fearful but we must remain focussed on getting through this crisis together.
Small but important measures
By adopting small but important measures, we can help protect ourselves, our families, and our communities:
1. Wash your hands for 20s regularly and thoroughly
2. Work from home if possible
3. Watch out for elderly neighbours and vulnerable people
4. Follow public health advice
5. Social distancing to stem the spread of the virus and save lives.
Get more comfortable being uncomfortable
It is difficult, particularly for young people, to fully embrace social distancing but in the throes of this crisis we all need to get more comfortable being uncomfortable. Contributing our own personal discomfort or inconvenience to protect ourselves and to protect others will be crucial in the days ahead.
There are a lot of myths about Coronavirus online, and often shared on social media because of their dramatic headlines. Read and share information only from reputable news sources or public health portals you can actually trust such as RTÉ, the BBC the WHO, PHA or HSE Websites or the broadsheet newspapers in print or online.
Give yourself a break
Remember to also give ourselves a break – read a book, watch an uplifting movie, get out in the garden or even better, do some form of workout! (even if it’s just a walk around the garden).
We are still in the ”quiet before the storm” period, however, we all know the storm is coming. It’s time to baton down the hatches, both as families and as communities and form a new social compact. In this compact we will all give up a little and look out for our neighbours and for those who might need a little help. It will be hard, and social distancing will be hard. But, I am confident in people’s capacity to respond positively together to the adversity we all now face. We will prevail. We will overcome.
