According to expert health data, the elderly are the most at-risk sector of the population from coronavirus. Pic: Getty Images
Tanaiste Simon Coveney launches nationwide 'Community Call' network to fight COVID-19
Dan Grennan
A nationwide 'Community Call' network has been launched by Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring, who said that 'community will get us through' the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative is a partnership between national government, local government and community and voluntary sectors that will coordinate community activity, direct assistance and, when needed, it will assemble a volunteering response.
There are 31 community call offices in operation today across the length and breadth of the country as they prepare for the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.
There are 31 community call offices in operation today across the length and breadth of the country as they prepare for the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
The most senior civil servants of each county will be overseeing the initiative in their locality.
The Community Call includes the following organisations: the HSE, the head of the local Community Development Committees, community champions — these are people with strong links within the local areas, an Garda Siochana, local volunteer centres, local development companies, the Red Cross, civil defence, the GAA, the IFA, the Public Participation Network, the Age Friendly network, Local Links, Citizens Information and church organisations.
The charity, ALONE, will be a major player in the initiative as their helpline will be the first port of call for the elderly and vulnerable before being passed onto the local community call centre.
In the last week alone, 80,000 volunteers have signed up with the forum to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The community call initiative will be helping the elderly and vulnerable in communities across Ireland with practical issues like their groceries and their medical supplies. Pic: RollingNews.ie
The community call initiative will be helping the elderly and vulnerable in communities across Ireland with practical issues like their groceries and their medical supplies.
Tanaiste Simon Coveney said: 'I'm announcing a major national and local initiative called the Community Call. It's a partnership of national governments, local governments and the community and voluntary sectors right across the country.
'The truth is that we are asking quite a significant portion of our population to stay at home and not leave their homes, under virtually any circumstances.
'So if you're over the age of 70. We're asking you to stay in your home. If you're someone with a very weak immune system, we want you to stay in your home and protect yourself.
Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
'When you self isolate, you do need community or family, or some structure to ensure that you get the provisions you need, and the support that you need in isolation.
'It will coordinate community activity, direct community assistance, and, where it's needed, it will marshal a volunteering response in every town parish county and city in the country.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, said: 'I have no doubt that we will succeed and I have no doubt that community will be the core reason for that success.
Mr Ring urged the elderly and vulnerable to not be afraid and to trust proper media sources: 'To the national media, the local media, I want to say thank you for the great coverage that you're given us too. I want to thank you for the advice that you're given communities.
Mr Coveney called frontline healthcare staff 'heroes' in the fight against COVID-19. Pic: Getty
'Again, I will finish on this message. Do not be afraid. The State is there for you. The support is there for you. The help is there for you. Just make the call.'
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