Being a parent of someone with an intellectual disability never stops. It is the most difficult aspect of caring for my son Diarmuid. We try every day to empower him to make good choices but there are times when my husband, Tim, and I have to step in and dictate in order to guarantee his safety. Sometimes this means shattering his world.

Cartoon by Clyde Delaney.

Every Friday night Diarmuid attends his CADA performing arts group drama and dance class. They are preparing for a show to be held later in the month. Tim has taken the lead on this situation, banning trips to CADA, the cinema and the hub that Diarmuid attends to protect him from the coronavirus. I would probably have let him go last Friday night, but as Tim pointed out, it might be one trip too late.

No gathering, show or match is worth putting Diarmuid at risk of contracting this particular coronavirus

Once that decision has been made, it won’t be revisited until the outbreak has subsided. His siblings are also on board with the decision. No gathering, show or match is worth putting Diarmuid at risk of contracting this particular coronavirus.

The Chinese have proven that clearing the streets and curtailing peoples’ movements was actually successful in halting the virus.

That shows that restricting the public’s movements has actually worked

Wuhan – the city where the first victims of the virus fell ill – has had no new cases in some days.

That shows that restricting the public’s movements has actually worked. Burying our heads in the sand and hoping coronavirus passes us by is not an option. We must be pro-active and take action by protecting our own health and that of our families.

This will knock on to our communities and our country and save lives and resources that will be needed for the most vulnerable.

Hygeine practices

We have actually multiplied our hygiene practices since our grandchild, Ricky, was born. Having an infant in the farmhouse is a real responsibility. Farming can be dirty and even with the best will in the world, clothes and particularly hands can become contaminated.

All wellingtons, wet gear, coats and overalls are shed before coming into the house

We wear disposable gloves to keep our hands clean while in the yard and we’ve increased our hand washing once we come into the house.

All wellingtons, wet gear, coats and overalls are shed before coming into the house. This is basic hygiene protocol for farmers. There are viruses such as rotavirus that can pass from people to bovines and vice versa.

Now with coronavirus continuing to spread – and especially with a case in Cork’s University Hospital, the first evidence of a community infection – we must take more responsibility. This is not new territory for Ireland. Remember how we all worked together to protect our herds and halt the spread of foot and mouth in 2001? Recall how we did the same during the swine flu outbreak in 2009.

This will serve as a reminder to wash our hands on entering the house

Both my daughter Julie and son Philip got swine flu at different times and I pride myself in that we prevented it spreading to the rest of the family. So we know it can be done. We’ve created a hand-sterilising station in the garage outside the back door.

This will serve as a reminder to wash our hands on entering the house. We got Diarmuid to make a sign to remind people to wash their hands. This helps him to understand the disease, along with Googling “coronavirus” on his phone.

Washing our hands often is definitely the single most important thing we can do. Other advice of note is to keep three feet away from people and catch any coughs or sneezes in our elbows and avoid shaking hands or hugging.

Gathering and events

The big sacrifice is to stay away from gatherings. I suspect most functions and sporting events will be cancelled. It is the right thing to do. A few months of this is a small price to pay for lives.

It is fine to say that most people will get it and get over it but the reality is that every family has vulnerable people to protect. They range from elderly, frail parents and grandparents to people on immunosuppressant drugs, those with compromising health issues and folk receiving cancer treatments and other therapies.

There are currently well over 100,000 people sick in 83 countries. In the words of The World Health Organization (WHO): “Coronavirus is a public health emergency of international concern.” Do your bit.