An audibly confused Ryan Tubridy was speaking for the nation this morning as he wondered aloud about the ins and outs of new restrictions imposed on the country last night.
Tubs was clearly discombobulated as he struggled to work out the finer details of Ireland's latest move towards stricter restrictions aimed at curbing the spiralling pandemic.
With three counties now in level four and household visits banned across the country, Tubridy asked on radio this morning: "If I go and see my mother – because I’m being compassionate, do I get away with that?"
So bewildered was the host that he struggled to get his words out – a reaction many listeners will likely have related to this morning, after the announcement of new measures by the Government last night.
"There's a great emoji where the brain explodes, with bits of your brain and bone and hair – that one," Tubridy said this morning.
"My head's heading down towards that," he said, as Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan face level four restrictions and the country faces up to four weeks without any household visits allowed.
He added: "Let’s not get into the crazy of it all."
But the Dubliner did warn: "It’s a runaway train, and we’re chasing it."
He ended his message with a word of – cautious – hope, encouraging the country to "keep going and keep the best side out."
Tubridy’s words come after Taoiseach Micheál Martin last night told the country that normal life will not resume in Ireland until we have a vaccine.
Announcing the new restrictions, Mr Martin said: “Things may get worse until they get better.
“We will make it through if we continue to adhere to rules and we will work together.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, meanwhile, said it’s more likely that other counties will join Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan on level four than the country will go in the opposite direction.
Mr Varadkar said the virus is “on the march” and told the country there is “no reason to relax.”
