[ad_1]
The Government has started a new campaign on social media to give young people affected by the Covid-19 restrictions a means to express their experiences.
Taoiseach Department Undersecretary Liz Canavan said the movement, under #antiviral, is now available on social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
He said young people have been particularly affected by this year’s restrictions: “From school closings to restrictions on meeting friends, from not being able to attend college in person, not being able to get a job, to missing so many rituals.” of passage and formative experiences “.
Various departments and external groups have been consulted for more information on the effects of this, Ms Canavan said: “As a group, they have sometimes been unfairly singled out for images of non-compliance that appear from time to time on social media. We do not believe that this represents the behavior of the majority.
“We have seen incident rates drop among young people. We know the enormous effort and sacrifice that this implies.
“We want to emphasize the positive behaviors of the majority and give this silent majority a forum to make their voices heard.”
Ms. Canavan also said that Christmas will be different this year, “but hopefully we’ll get out of this soon, so let’s take that into account and celebrate in the safest way possible.”
Helplines to help you this Christmas
While places of worship may reopen tomorrow, the attendance limit for funerals and weddings will be 25.
Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centers may reopen, but only for individual training, and gym owners have been urged to be vigilant to ensure that their properties do not become meeting points, and to schedule exercise classes in a group will constitute a violation of the restrictions.
In a briefing, Ms Canavan said planning ahead and limiting contacts with other people will be key to keeping numbers low as restrictions ease starting tomorrow.
He said that while we are still recording new cases and deaths as a result of Covid-19, the numbers are lower, while the numbers for hospitals and ICUs have also stabilized.
This has been a “great cost” for many people who have not been able to see family or friends or who have not been able to access “valuable social media” and it has also been difficult for many companies, and will remain so even under level restrictions three, he said.
Ms. Canavan said it is important to approach Level 3 restrictions with the same level of caution as Level five.
She said: “We know how difficult it is and we don’t want to go back there,” she said regarding the stricter rules.
“It is important that we continue to protect the vulnerable in our communities.”
The basic message from the Government has remained the same since March, he said: “Leep low contacts, every contact counts.”
The key to protecting people and living safely is to “keep the numbers down” and this “requires vigilance,” Ms. Canavan said.
In the run-up to Christmas, he urged people to plan ahead for meetings with other people, minimize risk, and meet people online rather than in person, when possible.
She said, “Actively manage that risk, outside is better than inside, shorter interactions are better than longer.”
Ms Canavan said that even if things are allowed on Level 3, people may not feel comfortable going to someone else’s home as they may be vulnerable or have a vulnerable member of their family.
She said, “Don’t be offended if someone declines an invitation.
“Christmas will be different, but hopefully we’ll get out of this soon, so let’s take that into account and celebrate in the safest way possible.”
You also have to plan ahead when it comes to shopping, he said, adding that people should support local retailers and businesses. Shop early in the month when possible, shop off-peak, and shop alone. Anyone who feels bad should stay home.
“This pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone. No one has been affected. We have become accustomed to behaviors and restrictions that would have been unthinkable before,” he said, adding that young people have been particularly affected “by school closings. to the restrictions to meet friends, from not being able to attend university in person, not being able to get a job, to missing so many initiation rites and training experiences ”.
Regarding vaccines, he said the government will keep people informed of the latest information because they know how enthusiastically they are waiting for the hope that a vaccine can bring.
She said: “We have been working very hard here and with our European partners to make sure that we are prepared to get this out to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. While the news is positive, it will take time, so yes. While there are reasons for hope, it does not diminish the need to maintain the safe behaviors that I have spoken of and that have served us well so far. “
[ad_2]