COVID-19: A Wake Up Call – our spring of hope or winter of despair!

After COVID-19: Business-as-usual and “normal” life is not an option.

5th May 2020

By Tom Roche
7 April 2020

After COVID-19: Business-as-usual and “normal” life is not an option.

Despite the life-changing coronavirus pandemic that has gripped Ireland, and the economic and social challenges we face in order to contain and minimise its deadly impact, there is already much talk about economic recovery. This pandemic is touching every aspect of our daily lives – way beyond that of war – the heartbreak of losing loved ones and not being able to attend their interment, cocooning, isolation, social distancing, business closures, financial loss, physical and mental wellbeing, sporting, cultural, shopping and travel restrictions and much, more. Let’s bear in mind that what we had become accustomed to pre-COVID-19 as “normal life” has brought us to this point in our lives. Any post-COVID-19 activities, must respond to its challenges by ensuring we do not return to what we have known as “normal” life.

Politicians have lined up to reassure us that as soon as a new government is in place and the coronavirus is under control they will put numerous financial stimulus packages in place to get the nation on its feet economically once again in an attempt to regain lost production.(REF) That is great and most welcome. When the coronavirus crisis eases, there will be an understandable desire and determination to return to ‘business as usual’ and regain some of the financial capital lost during this pandemic. But ‘business-as-usual’ is not an option. So our present COVID-19 crisis must be used as a turning point. It will be an opportunity for the next government to put the country on a sustainable economic footing and tackle the lack of social and affordable housing that has led to the country’s shameful housing crisis.

Read the full article on the Development Education (dot) ie  website
 

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