When Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the country yesterday that the "end is truly in sight", he delivered a lifeline to a public at the end of its collective tether.
The morale of the nation has rarely felt lower amid an ever-lengthening lockdown, and the feeling of desperation is palpable.
Stories are even emerging of business owners opening up in defiance of Level Five guidelines, and it's clear that the fragile ties holding together our pandemic fight are under severe strain.
Many were yesterday left pulling their hair out at the Taoiseach's reluctance to disclose any specific dates for when things might change.
The Government is insisting that data, not dates, should dictate Ireland's lockdown exit – but to a public starved of information, these dates are key.
So if you're unclear about the basics, we've pieced together a rough timeline of what the next few months (and beyond) might look like.
March 1
Junior and senior infants, first and second classes, and Leaving Cert students will all return to the classroom.
Special schools will increase from 50% to 100% attendance.
March 15
Third, fourth, fifth and sixth-class primary students will return to school, as will fifth-year secondary students.
The Government, in its Living with Covid plan, has also pledged to have a plan in place for antigen testing – a measure called for by leading infectious disease experts, including Prof Luke O'Neill.
March 22
This is the date by which the Government says mandatory hotel quarantining rules could be introduced for everyone entering the country.
While the Living with Covid plan says the move will be "advanced as a matter of urgency" without giving specific dates, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said this week that the strategy could be in place in "three to four weeks."
That means, at the latest, March 22.
April 5
Level Five restrictions will be reviewed on this date, as the Government decides if it can ease any measures.
On the agenda: potentially extending the 5km travel limit, as well as relaxing the guidelines on meeting members of other households outdoors.
Ministers will also decide whether outdoor activities like sports can be phased back in, and if construction work around the country can resume.
April 12
First, second, third and fourth-year secondary school students will return to the classroom after the Easter holidays.
April 30
The Government aims to have delivered a first dose of the vaccine to 40% of the adult population by this date.
May 31
The Government hopes that 64% of adults will have received their first dose by this date.
June 30
By the end of June, 82% of adults should have been administered a first dose of the vaccine.
This is also the date at which the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit, and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme are due to end.
June/July
"Mid-summer" is the date that has been given to the hospitality sector as a reopening date.
We're not sure exactly when that will be, and the Government is reluctant to be any more specific, but it seems reasonable to assume that we're looking at the end of June or start of July before pubs and restaurants can welcome back their customers.
