These days, most evenings pit the positive news of a Covid-19 vaccine against the terrifying situation facing the country right now.
It can be hard to know what to feel.
Today was little different, as public health chiefs confirmed a staggering 93 new deaths as a result of the coronavirus.
In slightly brighter news, we also heard that case numbers are still falling (there were 2,001 recorded in the last 24 hours).
But the message, ultimately, was a grim one from Dr Tony Holohan tonight – and you can see why.
Elsewhere, though, things were looking up, as the Taoiseach and Health Minister gave a much-needed vaccine update.
Micheal Martin said Ireland has "exceeded" its own plans when it comes to the rollout of the jab, while Stephen Donnelly – under fire in recent days over controversies in the Mater and Rotunda hospitals – told the country that nearly 100,000 people have now been vaccinated.
Here are the biggest stories to break today:
Taoiseach and Health Minister give vaccine boost
Stephen Donnelly said today that Ireland had vaccinated almost 100,000 people as of Sunday night – or 1.9% of the population.
The Health Minister told the country: ""I've received an update on our vaccination programme and by Sunday night we had given 94,000 vaccines – 71,000 to our frontline healthcare workers and 23,000 to residents and staff of long-term care facilities."
Micheal Martin, meanwhile, said the programme is "progressing well", adding that current targets have been exceeded.
He added: "There will be bumps in the road, but we need to stay focussed. In the meantime, stay home, wash your hands, minimise contacts. Be Safe."
Government scraps special school reopening after unions reject plans
There was high drama tonight as the Government was forced into yet another humiliating climbdown on the reopening of Ireland's special schools.
Education Minister Norma Foley was left with little option but to press pause on plans for a return to the classroom – for students with special education needs – after two major trade unions rejected the idea.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation and Forsa both called on the Government to postpone the reopening, arguing it had "failed" to reassure teachers that they could safely return to the chalkboard.
To the drawing board it is, then, for the Government.
Fears grow that lockdown could be extended
Cabinet will meet next week to discuss the state of play over Ireland's current Level Five Covid-19 restrictions.
And all indicators point to the Government extending the measures that are currently in place, with case numbers still sky-high despite a drop-off in recent days.
It means we're unlikely to be getting out and about any time soon.
Tony Holohan issues 'critical' warning after highest-ever death toll
The Chief Medical Officer issued one of his starkest warnings yet to the public after the Department of Health reported 93 tragic deaths – the highest Ireland has seen since the pandemic began.
Dr Tony Holohan didn't mince his words as he warned the nation: "We can't drop our guard."
Case numbers might still be dropping steadily, but Dr Holohan cautioned: "While we are starting to see the early results of our collective efforts to minimise the transmission of the virus, we are very sadly reporting an additional 93 deaths today.
"We cannot afford to drop our guard against the very high levels of infection that remain in the community at present."
Hospital vaccine scandals continue
We've all heard the stories coming out of the Mater and Rotunda hospitals in recent days.
And today brought more scandal when it comes to the rollout of a Covid-19 jab, with maternity staff at one of the country's busiest hospitals left high and dry as they awaited a vaccine.
Midwives and nurses at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda were furious when they were informed the planned vaccinations for this week had been postponed – and they weren't given an alternative date by the Department of Health.
Their local Sinn Fein TD, Imelda Munster, was immediately inundated with calls from Maternity staff, angry and upset at the way they were being treated.
