Do we really need the Government to hold our hand every step of the way until we find a vaccine for COVID-19? Surely at this stage we know the risks and how we can reduce our chances of catching or spreading it. Yet since there’s been a rise again in cases here and across Europe, we’ve taken to going around like headless chickens, muck raking, looking to catch out politicians and tangling ourselves up in whataboutery, spoiling for a row.

Yes, Government messaging has been shambolic. But last time I checked, COVID-19 was still spreading. So why are we acting like lost children looking to the government to tell us what to do? In Germany, the Baltics and Scandanavia, they’re more or less controlling the virus. Why? Dare I say it’s because they’re sensible, calm grown ups, who don’t need to be reminded every five minutes how to keep the disease under control. I know because I’ve friends in those countries. They behave and get on with life.

In Ireland it seems we’d rather blame politicians for everything. And after initially getting behind the effort to flatten the curve, we’ve gone back to using a crisis as a political football to finger point, blame and complain. Why not take some personal responsibility for a change, instead of throwing our eyes to heaven whinging: “I’m confused.” Confused about what exactly? Wash your hands, wear a mask when needed, social distance, curb your social circle and don’t throw a house party. What is so confusing about such straightforward and simple information?

I’m no expert, but isn’t the virus as deadly now as it was when first detected? So why do I need to watch every NPHET press conference with the purpose of confusing myself? Until I hear or read the news that a vaccine has been found or we’ve got to a zero COVID-19 scenario (if that is even possible), I’ll wash my hands, wear a mask, social distance, stay away from crowded spaces and try to apply a little dose of cop on.

I don’t get it right all the time, believe me. I’ve broken the rules – meeting friends, not social distancing or forgetting to wash my hands. None of us are perfect. But I’ve not gone and organised a rave or a house party either.

Young(er) people in general don’t read newspapers nor do they habitually watch the news. Of course they know the dangers of COVID-19 but the anecdotal evidence suggests they’re not taking it seriously. So if the health experts feel they actually do need to continuously remind us of our responsibilities every waking moment, wouldn’t it make sense to focus their full on attention on that cohort via TikTok or whatever social media platforms they use to consume their news?

And as small pubs in rural Ireland reopen their doors after six months of closure, the rest of us shouldn’t take it as a signal that the pandemic is under control. It isn’t. We need to be able to get on with life as best as we can but remain cautious. However, listening to some adults over the past few weeks wondering what is going on, I am reminded of the TV ad where the man stands up on the bus whimpering: “I don’t know what a tracker mortgage is."