Donegal’s top GAA figure has gone into self-isolation.
Aodh Ruadh club man Mick McGrath yesterday confirmed that he and his wife Liz, who are in their mid 60s have been in self isolation since March 15.
And, while it has been a sea change for the busy Donegal GAA leader, it is one that he is adapting to and has some words of the wisdom for all GAA followers in the county.
He has also been in constant touch with his fellow county board members through telephone and social media in a rapidly evolving situation.
“My wife and I have been self-isolating and the family are getting us the essentials since March 15,'' said McGrath.
“We are both in our mid 60s and I have been studying this and I see that most of our people of this age are self-isolating and the GAA in the county has really to our age group and that has worked to a huge degree.
“The family encouraged the two of us to self-isolate and there is no point in either of us going out and about and picking up the virus from someone else.”
He added: “I've been in contact with the rest of the county executive by social media, I suppose we are 98 per cent in lockdown but we maintain contact.
“We are awaiting further instructions from Croke Park today (Friday) on how to deal with this.
“The GAA feels very frustrated that all of our activities are now in lockdown.
“You build up activity within your club from Lotto to Bingo, to training for all grades and all of a sudden you are told to park it all up.
“It is a new scenario but we are now transferring much of our GAA activity to a different side of the community, helping the community by bringing vital services to them.
“The GAA is also trying to be the eyes and ears of the old people and in doing so complying with all the regulations laid down by the health authorities.”
McGrath added that this changed landscape could cause increased “domestic tensions”.
“The majority of men used to be able to get out of the house of an evening to watch and underage match while the wife is watching television,'' he said.
“That is an automatic thing you and now it is not happening.
“But people should get out of the house and walk a mile up the road and back, a half-hour walk.
“I go out for a walk on my own to a quiet place.
“Most people are following HSE guidelines and it is very easy in rural Ireland to walk for a mile down a road and not meet anybody and come back.
“If you meet someone you can walk to the far side of the road.”
“I would advise people to go out for a walk, but pick a route that is about half a mile from the house and do it in the morning and in the evening rather than one long walk.
“Come back and do your normal routine of listening to the radio or watching television or do a bit of gardening and don’t contact anyone except by phone, e-mail or other forms of social media.
“For ourselves, a member of our family is buying us food and papers and we are not stockpiling, just buying once a week as we would normally do.
“The main thing is not to sit in the house doing nothing as that can lead to depression, you need to be doing something to plan your day ahead.
“Mental health is very important in these times as well.”
