The Irish Examiner View: A calm response can avert a virus crisis

Wednesday’s cabinet meeting heard that senior officials expect hundreds of Irish cases of coronavirus before the Dáil reconvenes in two weeks time. Ministers were briefed about the possible closure of schools and colleges, the cancellation of cultural and sport events and t constraints business may have to accept if we are to do all we can, all we must, to try to limit the spread of the infection.

Since that meeting, just three days ago, events have moved quickly. The sense of possibility that informed that discussion has moved towards probability — any lingering sense of optimism, of over-confidence must be replaced by sharpened sense of caution for individuals and for communities.