On June 28 the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, took an inordinate amount of airtime to say nothing. He eased our mind about the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state by reporting it’s the natural result of additional testing (only partially true) and blaming immigrant farm workers. He indicated Florida has done a wonderful job fighting the virus. I had to keep glancing at the TV to make sure it was he speaking and not his boss in Washington. His message hasn’t changed much in spite of the surge in infections since then.
He indicated displeasure with bars where young people congregated in direct violation of social distancing and mask wearing recommendations. Notice the word “recommendations.” There was no state mandate for masks. There still isn’t.
He said, “Like I said, they’re younger people, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
I, who have spent most of my professional life working with those in their twenties and late teens, found the statement offensive. It is lumping all young people into the same category.
Sure, they like to have fun, and like all of us when that age, they do stupid things. They have flocked to beaches and bars despite warnings against such action. They continue to do so. And some will never listen to reason. But the warnings so far by the governor and state officials have been wish-washy at best, and certainly not targeted to the young directly.
I can’t help but wonder if our younger citizens wouldn’t respond well to messaging aimed specifically at them and that enlists their aid in a national emergency. They responded well on their country’s behalf in World War II. True, it’s a different age now, but I believe the vast majority of them still are concerned with issues and the safety of their families, and with the state of our country. For example:
They volunteer for many organizations.
They organize rallies for social justice.
They plan protests against rampant gun violence.
They care deeply about the environment.
They worry about climate change.
Why would the governor not try to engage them in the current pandemic fight affecting us all? What is to be gained by writing them off without even an attempt to enlist their support?
Wouldn’t it be worth a try to get their cooperation?
How?
I’m sure there are many ways. But here’s a start. Request faith leaders to make a pitch to all attending their church. Ask college and university administrators and professors to contact all students on their rolls. Ask businesses such as fast food and other establishments employing mainly younger workers to request their assistance. Put out public service announcements on social media.
Will any of this make a difference?
I don’t have a clue. But it seems like a relatively small effort that just might have some influence on behavior that would improve the safety of all of us. And we need every bit of help we can get now.
Even more important, it will show our young citizens that they are respected and their help is as important as anyone else’s to the safety of the nation. They will see they aren’t being written off as a bunch of irresponsible individuals who are “gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
I, at least, have more faith in the younger generation than does our governor.
He indicated displeasure with bars where young people congregated in direct violation of social distancing and mask wearing recommendations. Notice the word “recommendations.” There was no state mandate for masks. There still isn’t.
He said, “Like I said, they’re younger people, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
I, who have spent most of my professional life working with those in their twenties and late teens, found the statement offensive. It is lumping all young people into the same category.
Sure, they like to have fun, and like all of us when that age, they do stupid things. They have flocked to beaches and bars despite warnings against such action. They continue to do so. And some will never listen to reason. But the warnings so far by the governor and state officials have been wish-washy at best, and certainly not targeted to the young directly.
I can’t help but wonder if our younger citizens wouldn’t respond well to messaging aimed specifically at them and that enlists their aid in a national emergency. They responded well on their country’s behalf in World War II. True, it’s a different age now, but I believe the vast majority of them still are concerned with issues and the safety of their families, and with the state of our country. For example:
They volunteer for many organizations.
They organize rallies for social justice.
They plan protests against rampant gun violence.
They care deeply about the environment.
They worry about climate change.
Why would the governor not try to engage them in the current pandemic fight affecting us all? What is to be gained by writing them off without even an attempt to enlist their support?
Wouldn’t it be worth a try to get their cooperation?
How?
I’m sure there are many ways. But here’s a start. Request faith leaders to make a pitch to all attending their church. Ask college and university administrators and professors to contact all students on their rolls. Ask businesses such as fast food and other establishments employing mainly younger workers to request their assistance. Put out public service announcements on social media.
Will any of this make a difference?
I don’t have a clue. But it seems like a relatively small effort that just might have some influence on behavior that would improve the safety of all of us. And we need every bit of help we can get now.
Even more important, it will show our young citizens that they are respected and their help is as important as anyone else’s to the safety of the nation. They will see they aren’t being written off as a bunch of irresponsible individuals who are “gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
I, at least, have more faith in the younger generation than does our governor.
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