hout out to any emigrants/immigrants on here. I’m so sick of the debate about travel restrictions being all about missing holidays and no mention of the thousands of emigrants who haven’t been able to see family. I’ve lived away from Ireland for nearly 17 years in total but have never had to stay away so long and have never felt homesickness like I do now. My family is low risk, my parents only in 60’s and out and about at home, we live in a part of the U.K. with very few cases, our GP surgery has never recorded a case but still I feel I can’t even have the debate with most people as I’d feel like I‘d be judged for being selfish and not doing my bit to keep everyone safe. Anyway, I came across this article on The Irish Passport podcast which I recommend: www.mic.ul.ie/blog/2020/the-last-ryanair-generation-transnationalism-in-the-time-of-covid. Emigration has been used as a safety valve forever but it’s like ‘pull up the drawbridge, you chose to leave’ now!
I’ve written to my local TDs at home so they at least hear an emigrant’s voice. It’s not just affecting me, it’s my family at home, my kids (also Irish citizens). Family mental health matters, it just can’t be counted as easily as case numbers.
I also found out there’s a Minister for Diaspora in Ireland, Fine Gael’s Colm Brophy. So I’m going to write to him too.
Would love if others would write too - the roadmap is in development now and maybe, just maybe some other options could be considered beyond 14 day self-isolation which is just not realistic with kids now FINALLY back at school.