Cities and towns around Ireland were greeted with an unfamiliar sight yesterday: people queueing up outside of nightclubs as they reopened for the first time in over 19 months.
It is an industry that has perhaps been hit hardest by the pandemic, with nightclubs completely shut since March of last year. You can understand the reasons for that, much in the same way you can understand why so many young people were keen to get back into them and get back just a small taste of normality.
The scenes outside one of Dublin's most famous establishments early last night told you all you needed to know.
Queue for Coppers in Dublin at 9pm as nightclubs reopen after months of lockdown pic.twitter.com/f1GO5x5KUE
— Enda O'Dowd (@endajodowd) October 22, 2021
Of course, videos such as this one on social media have been met with a predictable reaction.
As has become custom in recent times, many took this opportunity to condemn the 'disgraceful' behaviour of those who were simply enjoying a night out.
We are in deep shit. What a level of selfish stupidity. And these idiots probably won’t be the ones in the hospital car park unable to get a fucking hospital bed. Super spreader event #1. https://t.co/E1qN1x47i6
— Gin in a Teacup (@GininaTeacup1) October 22, 2021
Yeah loads of social distancing and mask wearing happening I see https://t.co/nAjzRhl1ho
— Melian (@ChrisAndrews88) October 22, 2021
This is where the "must live with Covid" arguement falls flat on its arse.
Unless of course what "live with Covid" really means is - put your fun ahead of the wellbeing of others. https://t.co/Td2e7Mr20l— EUGENE the Piglet (@olddiesel) October 22, 2021
Ehh, never heard of the guidance to maintain 2m distance between yourself and the person in front, guys? Thanks for ensuring another lockdown, clubbers! https://t.co/A5ubf2PFlW
— Thar Barr Superstar🕯 (@WildState) October 22, 2021
People have a right to be concerned about Ireland's covid situation. Case numbers are high and the numbers in hospitals have been creeping up. There are some genuine concerns there.
What people don't have a right to do is criticise young people who are doing nothing wrong.
Ireland has had one of the longest lockdowns in the world, with young people suffering as much as anybody in that. They have missed out Leaving Certs, grads, part-time jobs, proper college experiences, and most of the other stuff everyone else had the opportunity to enjoy in their youth.
They have sacrificed as much as anyone else, if not more than a lot of people. To now attempt to put some sort of blame on them for the covid situation in this country is completely unacceptable.
Everything seen in the video above is allowed under Government guidelines. People are in an outdoor setting while queueing, while everyone there should also be vaccinated.
We were told that vaccination was the key to getting some sort of normality back in our lives. The Irish people responded by getting vaccinated in huge numbers, a rate that is the envy of most other countries.
If we can't attempt to get society moving again now, what is the point? Having the opportunity to experience scenes such as this were among the reasons that many people chose to get vaccinated.
That is without even mentioning that nightclubs have been open in other European countries for months now.
If you have some concerns about the easing of restrictions, that is your own opinion. You have the freedom to disagree with Government policy. What you don't have the right to do is place the blame on individuals are living life well within the rules.
Blaming young people for all our problems has been an easy solution during the pandemic. It is said 'they only care about themselves' when all of the evidence points to the contrary.
Don't now get on their backs for enjoying a night out. If anything, it is long overdue.
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