Young people are hedonistic. That won’t change. So let’s have less of the ‘outrage’, please
AT first glance, I was horrified at the footage that emerged from Dublin bar Berlin D2. Those reckless, irresponsible young people, out enjoying themselves with abandon, without a thought for anybody else but themselves. Scenes of debauchery in a Dublin pub are not usually news, nor are they met with such forceful repugnance that has spewed forth on social media and beyond over the last few days.
People were quick to jump on the bandwagon of high morals as this blatant display of disregard for Covid-19 restrictions was condemned. It was despicable and deplorable, appalling and shocking, disgraceful and disgusting, sickening, a slap in the face to frontline workers who put their lives at risk to help us.
There were calls for the premises to be immediately shut down, and it has been, as investigations are ongoing as to what exactly caused young people to run riot at a boozy brunch, and not sit down and keep 2m apart (I don’t think it’ll take them that long to figure it out. Clue: the barman didn’t help).
And I was just about to join the keypad warriors and give my tuppence worth when something made me pause. And now – after ‘mortified’ restaurateur Jay Bourke revealed his staff have received death threats from people on social media trying to execute justice – I’m glad I did.
Among all the finger wagging and social pillorying, I was reminded of a biblical phrase – ‘let he who is without sin cast the first stone’.
I’m not saying what those people did in that video was right. It was moronic and selfish. But, insulated with alcohol, and being young, and, let’s face it, obsessed with themselves, is anyone the least bit surprised that they are not going to follow the rules?
Glaring
Young people are inherently selfish, and I’m saying that with experience as I was once that person, possibly in a bar like that one, with no children, no bills, no responsibility and certainly no looming mortality.
Yes the big glaring difference today is that we are in the midst of a pandemic – and people are dying because of it.
But who’s to say that the same people who are busy finger wagging and admonishing wouldn’t have done the very same thing, fuelled as they were by alcohol and God knows what, and the flippancy of youth?
There was at least one voice of reason. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu, tweeted, describing the lack of punters following guidelines in a pub as ‘appalling’ but adding ‘we need to talk about collective responsibility’.
Hazel is onto something here with the concept of collective responsibility. For one thing is for sure, our nationwide strategy of keeping Covid-19 at bay is not resonating with this generation. And we have to do something about it.
As the World Health Organisation has stated, it is young people who are driving spikes in the coronavirus across Europe.
We are on the edge of a second wave, and instead of looking for a large stick to beat this generation with, we need to come up with a solution. We seem to be far too fond of apportioning blame and also, by vilifying Generation Z, they are less likely to follow any sort of rules. Like most things in life, there are two sides to this. Yes we could agree that they are all moronic vectors with no regard for anyone else but themselves. They know that if they contract this sometimes deadly virus, the majority of them will suffer nothing more than a bad cold at worst.
However, should they pass the virus on to their parents or grandparents, the repercussions may be fatal. It’s true that their indifference and desire to party without restraint can have deadly consequences.
What happened in Berlin D2 – and worse – is happening all over the country, at house parties and lock-ins – and if you don’t think that’s the case, then you’re being just as silly as those who were caught on camera last weekend.
We have thrown much blame at them this summer, and their super-spreading ways. But is it really all their fault?
There doesn’t seem to be any leading voice for the younger generations – all I can see on social media are influencers wearing designer masks, which certainly plays a part in keeping Covid at bay, but as evidenced by the youngsters removing their masks to catch the flowing liquor in the infamous clip, this in itself is not enough. We need to evoke reactions to get action.
And if you ask me, I’m really unsure if it can be done at all in an environment where drink is flowing and hormones are high.
Sympathy
At the pit of my stomach I felt a prickling of sympathy for those youngsters, who woke up on Sunday with not only the mother of all hangovers, but the hatred of a nation to boot.
Of those who were recognisable, imagine trying to explain yourself to your parents, or employers, who have seen your antics many times – not only online, but also on the national and international news. The shame of it.
And the reality is, yes, we may all suffer because of their stupidity. But enough of the bully-boy tactics. Let’s all try to find a grown-up solution to what is essentially a childish mess. @lisabradybrez on Twitter, lisabradybreslin on Instagram