JULY 19TH - A DATE TO REMEMBER?

As England prepares to say goodbye to social distancing and the ‘rule of six’ on July 19th, young people are excited to return to ‘normal’. For university students, this removal of restrictions means a return to the coveted nights out and house parties we have missed out on for over 15 months. A return to ‘normal’ life is finally within reach, but while many are excited about this possibility, others, including myself, are weary about what a premature end to social distancing will bring.

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I know that for many people my own age, pushing back the much-anticipated June 21st opening was devastating, with many already having purchased club tickets ready to enjoy time with friends. This unfulfilled promise caused understandable upset, but with cases steadily rising, June 21st seemed slightly premature for a complete removal of social distancing restrictions – and so does July 19th.

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While the vaccination programme has been extremely successful in reducing the number of hospitalisations and deaths in conjunction with COVID-19, young people – the primary age group for frequenting clubs and large parties – are only now being offered the first dose. For the fully vaccinated, ending social distancing may seem reasonable. But for those of us with only one dose, it seems that mixing with hundreds of strangers in a club at full capacity is not the safest option and will not be safe until most of the nation is fully vaccinated.

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Although I cannot wait to be back in a club with my friends, I’ll be staying home on July 19th.