The news that the Taoiseach was closing all schools for at least a fortnight came as a huge shock to myself and my friends.
I am in Transition Year at St Wolstan’s Community School in Celbridge, Co Kildare – and this shutdown will affect more than 700 girls and our families.
Already a school-organised trip to the Gaeltacht in Co Mayo has been cancelled.
Although I am in TY, there is still plenty to do and spending the next two weeks at home is an unexpected holiday – but not really a welcome one.
No pupil is ever going to say ‘no’ to a day or two off, but two weeks with nothing planned will leave lots of us twiddling our thumbs or sitting on the couch binging on Netflix.
There is only so much of ‘Stranger Things’ you can watch in a night.
A lot of my friends who enjoy camogie and GAA won’t have that sporting outlet either as all games and training has been suspended.
I do agree with the Taoiseach shutting down schools and colleges nationwide as we need to stop the spread of the terrible virus.
This very infectious disease needs to be halted in its tracks before it gets completely out of control.
We’re young, and thankfully healthy, but the fear is we could potentially bring Covid 19 home and give it to our parents or grandparents.
However, we must spare a thought for those doing Junior and Leaving Cert exams.
They will naturally be up the walls as they are missing out on two weeks of crucial classes.
I hope that the Department of Education sets up an online study programme for these exam year pupils.
And that it will take into account the shutdown and the lost study time when it comes round to the State exams.
