Re-imposing Restrictions

 Last night the Government decided to reinstate some of the Lockdown measures across Ireland. Despite the online outrage at being told what to do, I do not think it will make much difference to a lot of people. Anyone with a titter of wit has NOT returned to ‘normal’ social life, most are being careful to limit their circles, few are gallivanting around the country on public transport for the fun of it, anyone who is able to do so continues to work at home, and how many senior citizens have I seen out and about recently- one, occasionally. 

It seems to me that ‘they’ are mostly blaming ‘young people’ and ‘house-parties’, and am I misunderstanding, but the reasoning for this is that the virus is surfacing in ‘family clusters’? I have several issues with this: 

Where is the virus coming from that it is appearing in families, they keep it in the cupboard and let it out to play at night? Surely it would be a better notion to track it backward to assess HOW it arrived in the family. Was it brought in by a worker, someone who did the weekly shop, on a takeout coffee cup, the handle of a random door? Or even an inconsiderate person who leaned across you (yes, that is a problem I have several times encountered). How can socializing be the only way the virus travels- oh right, it's NOT. Family clusters are not the SOURCE, they are the RESULT. Is the virus’ progress being tracked back and back as close to the origin here as it can go? 

Blaming any one section of the population is not the answer. Do we wish to return to being a nation of net-curtain twitchers? Tell-tales? Blame and shame? Either reporting infractions like the Gestapo, or always looking over our shoulders in fear? Watching neighbours and friends and gleefully passing on gossip, ridicule and judgement when in our opinion we see them slip up? Who am I to condemn? Many are taking responsibility and leading by example, good on us.  

Small point- but how many of us live in mansions where social distancing is even an option at home?  

We are becoming increasingly frustrated, this is clear. Tired of being on constant high-alert; weary of the scaremongering in the news or opinion pieces and unclear direction from the Government at times; anxious that the air we breathe is carrying invisible enemy virus; hypochondriac-ising every cough and sniffle; distressed at the number of visitors crowding our environs and a bit resentful that as locals we cannot safely access our own beaches, mountains, amenities; exhausted trying to keep positive and manage dodgy mental health; and exhausted also trying to support our wider families without endangering them or ourselves. Or perhaps that is just my view. 

The economy needs to survive. The ways to survival are unclear, hopefully visitors will help, but at what cost? No mention has been made of visitors trailing the virus round the country, but driving past a local camp and caravan park I have to wonder. 

The country is in vast debt, who will pay the bills? Us, of course. 

Frustration, blame, anger at injustice will not solve our problems, but if handled intelligently, firmly, collectively and creatively they could go a long way to overhauling existing systems and re-imagining new ones which work for an improved future for everyone. 

Rant over.