Solidarity being tested by ‘Covid fatigue’ as restrictions hit home

Unlike the social solidarity of the initial response to Covid-19, the more nuanced health advice being given now is leading to people questioning the rationale for restrictions and, in some regions, a sense of being punished

Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s government is struggling to convince people of the rationale behind the restrictions on some activities

The TDs in Leinster House are picking up on “Covid fatigue” in constituencies around the country.

It is a long time since Leo Varadkar urged everyone in his St Patrick’s Day address to “come together as a nation by staying apart from each other”.

A weariness with maintaining social distancing, restricting house visits and cancelling most forms of previously normal activity is contributing to the rise in Covid-19 infections.

The simple public health advice, which ...