‘Everything will be OK’

“Everything will be OK”.

The words of an innocent 5-year-old girl, but they are words which will reverberate at a time when we need optimism, positivity, and the indomitable spirit of the Irish to envelope our communities.

We truly are in uncharted territory and that, for many, is a desperately frightening situation in which to find ourselves.

In Galway alone, thousands of workers in the pub, hotel and restaurant sector are out of a job. Many more in the retail sector, childcare, education, office and factory workers and call centre operators are left wondering when or if their next pay cheque will arrive. Parents, in many cases, have been forced to take unpaid leave or holiday leave.

People are afraid – terrified even – of what the days, weeks and months ahead will hold.

But strength comes from struggle, and during the past week, our highly-skilled frontline healthcare workers have been a beacon of inspiration to others – going above and beyond the call of duty in the fight against this insidious illness and putting themselves and their families at risk.

Their example, and that of the Gardaí and other emergency services, supermarket workers and so many others has strengthened the resolve of our families, friends and neighbours.

The caring and compassionate spirit of camaraderie displayed within our communities will prevail – strangers who have just lost their jobs offering to run errands for the elderly and vulnerable; people volunteering to mind healthcare workers’ children, collect prescriptions or even just to have a chat on the phone with those feeling the loneliness of self-isolation. It’s the spirit of meitheal.

The scale of the challenge we face is like nothing we have ever faced before, but it will not break our spirit – that same spirit which saw people take to their cars on St Patrick’s Day for an impromptu ‘parade’ or classical tenor Frank Naughton perform in the rain for his neighbours.

While you read this, outside your window, our history is being written.

Let’s be remembered for the strength and resilience shown by communities across Galway, Ireland and indeed the world.

Stay safe. – Enda Cunningham, Editor

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