If we work for and with each other we can keep Covid-19 at bay – Burke

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central and party spokesperson on Health, Colm Burke, has called for everyone to work for and with each other in order to keep Covid-19 at bay.

Deputy Burke said: “The number of cases of Covid in Cork and elsewhere in the country is increasing at an alarming rate. If the numbers keep rising, we could be facing another lockdown.

“We now have a very short period of time to turn things around. We need to communicate with people, encourage, support and mobilise in a broad community effort to suppress the virus.”

Deputy Burke continued: “Everyone from the youngest to the eldest must now become an active citizen in the struggle against Covid. Every citizen in a time of national crisis must take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others and contribute to the national effort.”

“Half of the current cases are now among the under 30s. There is an urgent need for young people to become leaders in the effort to break the chain of infection. They need to use social media to spread the message among their friends and colleagues. UCC and CIT should be emailing their students encouraging and supporting them to follow health guidelines.

“Leaders of every organisation in Cork should be directly contacting their members by phone or email to encourage them to make the effort to quash the virus. Community leaders, academics, sporting figures and other influencers should become involved.

“Every company and business in Cork should contact their employees and encourage them to make a renewed effort in the coming days.

“The last fifteen minutes of every school day in every class should be spent discussing with students how to keep themselves, their families, their friends and neighbours safe.

“The health advice is very clear. Reduce the numbers of face to face contacts; meet outdoors; keep your distance; avoid indoor, poorly ventilated places; wear a mask. If you have symptoms isolate immediately and contact your GP. The GP consultation and Covid testing are both free.”

Deputy Burke concluded: “We now know that the struggle against Covid is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Resilience, persistence and determination will be needed.

“The Covid virus continues to be a real threat to our health, our economy, our wellbeing and our lives. We must face what is in front of us and do what is necessary to keep the virus at bay.”

“Together we will prevail.”

ENDS