SOCIAL DISTANCING is impossible to enforce in pubs, clubs and other licensed premises a spokesman for The Temple Bar Company said yesterday after photographs and videos appeared online showing revellers packed into venues in the famous Dublin tourist spot over the weekend.
There was anger from some politicians, with the Republic's health minister Simon Harris for instance saying the footage was an insult to the health service staff risking their own wellbeing to help those struck down by coronavirus.
It is preferable to believe that those enjoying themselves were doing so from a position of ignorance. Perhaps they thought that they were simply putting themselves at risk by socialising as part of a large crowd packed into a relatively small room.
What they need to realise is that they have no way of confining the consequences of their actions to themselves, unless they decide to isolate themselves from all human contact for weeks until they are sure they did not contract the virus or until they have recovered from infection and are clear of symptoms.
If they do not do that, these people risk bringing the disease to everybody they interact with – family, friends, complete strangers. If some of those people have underlying health problems or are in an at-risk age bracket they could pay a heavy price for a night in the pub.
It is clear that all of the actions of every single one of us could detrimentially affect the lives of everyone we come into contact with. It is not just about not caring about ourselves.
As of last night more and more bars across Ireland - including north of the border - were declaring their intention to close until it is safe to reopen.
This coming week is traditionally a time of celebration around the world with St Patrick's Day celebrations. Those who close will take a huge financial hit but it is critical that they take a decision which is in the public interest.
