[ad_1]
The direction of the National Coast Guard has issued a statement tonight in which it has updated its position in relation to the volunteers participating in the viral Jerusalem dance.
While group participation in such challenges is still prohibited, individual volunteers will be able to participate in the viral dance routine if they are filmed individually.
“In support of the decision to ensure that units prioritize their availability to respond to emergencies during this pandemic, the Coast Guard has requested, on this occasion, that units not engage in these types of activities during this period of the pandemic. “, said. in a sentence.
“The Coast Guard looks forward to the time when Covid-19 restrictions are eased and when units can resume their participation in these community-type events.
“The Coast Guard has updated its advice to members to inform them that they can participate in the Jerusalem challenge on an individual basis where volunteers within a unit are individually filmed and in compliance with public health guidelines at all times.”
The Coast Guard administration’s statement also recognizes the “sacrifices and contributions” that its volunteers have made since the onset of the pandemic in providing maritime search and rescue services and Covid-related community support services, while expresses gratitude for the Coast Guard’s volunteer participation in community and educational events.
Previously, Irish Coast Guard volunteers were told not to participate in the video dance challenge.
The order was made by Coast Guard management in a letter to all Coast Guard volunteers last night and followed the posting of a dance challenge video by the Dingle Coast Guard unit in Co Kerry. .
The choreographed dance routine, performed to the upbeat South African gospel hit ‘Jerusalema’, has become a worldwide sensation.
It went viral here after gardaí tweeted a dance video in response to the challenge from the Swiss police.
We have reached out to the Swiss police @fedpolCH #JerusalemaChallenge. Gardaí across Ireland answered the call to give a boost to the public we serve in these challenging times. #Stay together #homeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/sbLdkk54hB
– Garda Information (@gardainfo) February 2, 2021
Staff in nursing homes, airline companies, and people in their own homes have posted similar performances.
The dance was also performed by members of the front-line services on RTÉ’s Late Late Show last Friday.
We needed this! 😍 After the week I saw @gardainfo dancing all over the country as part of the #JerusalemaChallenge, tonight some of Ireland’s front-line heroes took up the challenge and we’re here to do it! 🕺🙌 pic.twitter.com/Jgr3gyCYws
– The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) February 5, 2021
The Dingle Coast Guard released their own version of the dance, filming it in scenic West Kerry locations such as Slea Head and the Dun Chaoin Cliffs, which overlook the Blasket Islands.
They said they decided to make the video “as an act of solidarity with other front-line services that have made videos” and to give people who find the pandemic difficult “some much-needed boost.”
However, in a letter to all volunteers, Coast Guard national management previously said that, following a series of requests from Coast Guard units, “units are not allowed to produce dance videos for social media. , or meet for any reason other than reasons fundamental to a unit’s operational objectives.
“When assessing the risk of maintaining a unit’s operational readiness, the severity, likelihood, and detection risk controls are evaluated. The key to controlling likelihood risk is the suspension of any activity that is not considered critical to the operational objectives of a unit “.
We need your consent to upload this YouTube content.We use YouTube to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Review your data and accept it to load the content.Manage preferences
The letter also referred to the potential risk of exposure to Covid-19 during the recording of dance challenge videos.
He said: “When the probability of exposure to a hazard increases, such as through unnecessary meetings of unit staff, this increases our probability risk rating and weakens our risk mitigation strategy.”
“If the likelihood of exposure to Covid-19 were to increase unnecessarily, this could negatively affect our ability to maintain our operational state and continue the limited return to training exercises.”
The Dingle Coast Guard unit declined to comment on the letter last night.
Councilman Breandán Fitzgerald said he was “surprised” and “taken aback” by today’s letter.
“I can’t really understand it. I don’t see anything wrong with making these videos. All the Dingle Coast Guard was trying to do was cheer people up. And they did.
“We have been very affected by the Covid deaths here in Dingle in recent weeks. Our community is feeling down and that video really helped brighten a lot of people’s day.
“Other frontline services, like the gardaí, have made videos of Jerusalem and have really helped people through difficult times.
“It’s clear from the video that the Coast Guard maintained social distancing. I don’t see what the problem is,” he said.
[ad_2]