Ireland has made some very tough calls recently
And I'm very proud of how the Irish public has responded.
But lots of us are feeling the pressure of these restrictions right now.
So will it be worth it?
@UL @ICGPnews @roinnslainte @hselive @IMO_IRL #COVIDWATCH #COVID19 1/10

As @LiamGGlynn has said on @BreakfastNT this morning, no-one can tell us for certain right now.
However, DOH/public health tell us new COVID cases have been meeting very few people before they developed symptoms, which is very encouraging as it should reduce spread.. 2/10

Some people wonder if we're going overboard, and we should ask this question given the massive economic fallout that is going to result...
Some have pointed out that people die every day & that maybe "the cure is worse than the disease". 3/10

But as doctors we took an oath to "first do no harm", and in my view this defines the path our profession needs to go down.
We'll need support from the general public to do this though as it is the collective sacrifices we all will endure that makes this response possible. 4/10

Approx 85 people die everyday in Ireland from many causes, but these "normal" events are hugely important for families/communities. And we Irish deal with them in a unique way that is truly special. COVID-19 is curtailing how we usually behave around death & dying too. 5/10

Which is very sad.
Those who've lost loved ones need our support more than ever- from @IrishHospice "Reach out.... write a card.... send a text or telephone. You might share photos, drop food/little gifts at a person's door to offer comfort" 6/10

But how bad COVID-19 hurts us does not seem to be inevitable when we look at what has happened in other countries.
We're on damage limitation here, & avoiding the tsunami of rapid deteriorations and deaths like the people of Italy are enduring needs to stay to the fore 7/10

This virus has already robbed families and patients of a chance to say goodbye in the inimitable Irish way.
People will die, but if we ALL follow public health advice we can reduce the number of families who will face this situation.
And we'll all pick up the pieces later. 8/10

@CMOIreland @paulreiddublin @SimonHarrisTD @otuathail @darachociardha @todowd @ciarakellydoc @DrSumiDunne @theseant @drwilliamlynch @DrtmargTony @patrickod9 @TonyQuilty1 @susanmsmith @TonyFoleyUCC @theseant @susmitchellSBP @paulcullenit @ProfPayEquality @DrWilliamBehan 9/10

@astaines @docprimarycare
@docox100 @petergohayes1 @davidmcw @AidanCulhane @McCreesh_Karen @DrMarkMurphy @ritakj @dwcork @drwilliamlynch @ctni @raywalley @stevemur67 @MYOpenMind101 @FoyFintan @LiamToland7
Credit: @joycepa86 for suggestion+feedback on graph 10/10