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We are in information battle against half-truths – Varadkar
An Tanaiste Leo Varadkar Pic:Gareth Chaney/RollingNews

26 Mar 2020 / Ireland Print

Information battle against half-truths – Varadkar

A Covid-19 public information booklet will be delivered to every household in the country over the coming days.

The guide offers information about how the Government is responding, the symptoms of COVID-19, and how one should self-isolate. 

Free of charge

The booklet, which was produced jointly between the Government of Ireland and the HSE, is being delivered free of charge by An Post.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said “We now live in a world that has been transformed utterly, perhaps forever. To protect each other we have to keep at a physical distance, but we still must stay connected. An Post is helping us do that.

“This new information leaflet will be sent to every home, free of charge. It explains what we are doing as a country and what we need to do to slow down the spread and keep people safe.

“It brings together the best advice from our medical health experts, in line with the recommendations from the WHO and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

“I encourage everyone to read it when it arrives. We may think we know what we should be doing, but we live in an age where truths, half-truths and untruths are in a constant battle against each other.

Misled

“It is very easy to be misled or confused.

"This booklet cuts through the confusion. In doing so, it performs a vital function at this time, and my thanks to the team in the HSE and the Government officials for putting it together so quickly, and of course our thanks to An Post for delivering it.”

Minister for Health Simon Harris said: "Across the country, people are worried and concerned about Covid-19. They have plenty of questions and this booklet aims to answer the majority of them.

Best hope

"We know our best hope of containing COVID-19 and slowing its spread is through everybody following the public health advice from our Chief Medical Officer and his team.

"It is essential we give them the tools to do that and information is the most important tool we have in this time of crisis.

Power

"This booklet offers people the best public health information we have available to us at this time and leaves the power to stop the spread of the virus in their hands."

An Post boss David McRedmond said: “An Post delivery staff across Ireland are proud to deliver this advice leaflet to every household. It’s just one of many actions the postal service and post offices are taking to support the national effort to combat Covid-19.

“The great support of the Communications Workers’ Union, led by general secretary Stevie Fitzpatrick, means that we can use our unique local knowledge and experience to support all our communities during this crisis.”

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