The Student Room Group

Are Big Freshers Events Ethical?

Hey up all,

With Freshers Week coming up all over the country, do people really think these are a good idea? We've seen cases drastically increase with simply primary and secondary schools going back. This will worsen as university begins, and, logically, again with Freshers events.

Clubs and bar crawls may say they have safety restrictions, but get back to me when students have had a few drinks and social distancing isn't their no. 1 priority. I've been told endlessly, "young people rarely get hospitalised, we'll be fine", but they seem to forget this isn't about us.

Is it not dangerous and irresponsible to start having these huge Freshers nights out? There are other ways to socialise, still with alcohol if that's what everyone wants, without putting the older generation at high risk. Surely we can manage a year or two (until there's a vaccine) without big, city-wide indoor events with 'restrictions' that won't honestly do a lot?

What's everyone's thoughts on this?
(edited 3 years ago)

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Original post by ProperLad
Hey up all,

With Freshers Week coming up all over the country, do people really think these are a good idea? We've seen cases drastically increase with simply primary and secondary schools going back. This will worsen as university begins, and, logically, again with Freshers events.

Clubs and bar crawls may say they have safety restrictions, but get back to me when students have had a few drinks and social distancing isn't their no. 1 priority. I've been told endlessly, "young people rarely get hospitalised, we'll be fine", but they seem to forget this isn't about us.

Is it not dangerous and irresponsible to start having these huge Freshers nights out? There are other ways to socialise, still with alcohol if that's what everyone wants, without putting the older generation at high risk. Surely we can manage a year or two (until there's a vaccine) without big, city-wide indoor events with 'restrictions' that won't honestly do a lot?

What's everyone's thoughts on this?

Hey!
At the Uni I'm starting they aren't holding the Freshers events until the government guidelines allow clubs to operate normally. I don't see that happening any time soon though and think people are just wasting money on buying tickets for these events which might not even happen.

Personally, I'm not a huge drinker or party monster anyway so I'd be fine with not going to the rave's etc. I can see why it would be annoying for some people but I do think that it would be irresponsible if everyone started having these huge Fresher nights out.

If all these events go ahead and people don't stick to the safety restrictions (which you're right in saying after a drink, they totally won't) then I'd say we're probably looking at another spike and possible lockdown.
Reply 2
Glad to see someone agree with me! I’m going to uni in party central so this opinion hasn’t exactly been met with open arms haha. Im not a big drinker or partier either so, like you I can take it or leave it! Surely it won’t kill everyone to wait a bit?
You'd think not but they seem to think it will. Yeah, I can imagine that not being met well haha. My home city is known for being a party central so people are shocked when I tell them I don't drink/party etc and the place I'm going for Uni is pretty lively too. Glad to know I'm not the only one thinking this though :smile:
Old generations don't have to attend Freshers events if they are worried about their health.
Reply 5
Original post by DiddyDec
Old generations don't have to attend Freshers events if they are worried about their health.

It’s not about them attending freshers events. If this many young people are so close in these events with a disease as infectious as this one, clubs and barcrawls etc. will be a breeding ground for Covid-19. The danger them comes with interactions after that. Older people might not directly go to freshers events or might not directly interact with younger people after, but as we know the disease can still spread. Lives can still be lost all because a few students wanted to go on a bar crawl with the rest of the city.
Original post by ProperLad
It’s not about them attending freshers events. If this many young people are so close in these events with a disease as infectious as this one, clubs and barcrawls etc. will be a breeding ground for Covid-19. The danger them comes with interactions after that. Older people might not directly go to freshers events or might not directly interact with younger people after, but as we know the disease can still spread. Lives can still be lost all because a few students wanted to go on a bar crawl with the rest of the city.

Clubs aren't open and bars/pubs should be COVID secure as per the regulatory guidelines.
Reply 7
Original post by DiddyDec
Clubs aren't open and bars/pubs should be COVID secure as per the regulatory guidelines.

Clubs may open soon under certain restrictions, and the regulatory guidelines in bars are, based on what I’ve seen, not incredibly effective. They seem to have essentially just put down some tables and that’s all. The idea of only sitting with members of your household has gone out the window entirely.

Id have no issue here if people were smart enough to follow the guidelines, but clearly we can’t be confident about that. The generation has forgotten that it isn’t about us.
(edited 3 years ago)
Original post by ProperLad
Clubs may open soon under certain restrictions, and the regulatory guidelines in bars are, based on what I’ve seen, not incredibly effective. They seem to have essentially just put down some tables and that’s all. The idea of only sitting with members of your household has gone out the window entirely.

Id have no issue here if people were smart enough to follow the guidelines, but clearly we can’t be confident about that. The generation has forgotten that it isn’t about us.

"May", as it stands they are not open.

Only sitting with your household is neither law nor guidance.

When I go to work I mingle with 16 other people not from my household in an enclosed space and that is only because it is a small business.

If laws are being broken it is down to the relevant authorities to enforce.
Original post by ProperLad
Hey up all,

With Freshers Week coming up all over the country, do people really think these are a good idea? We've seen cases drastically increase with simply primary and secondary schools going back. This will worsen as university begins, and, logically, again with Freshers events.

Clubs and bar crawls may say they have safety restrictions, but get back to me when students have had a few drinks and social distancing isn't their no. 1 priority. I've been told endlessly, "young people rarely get hospitalised, we'll be fine", but they seem to forget this isn't about us.

Is it not dangerous and irresponsible to start having these huge Freshers nights out? There are other ways to socialise, still with alcohol if that's what everyone wants, without putting the older generation at high risk. Surely we can manage a year or two (until there's a vaccine) without big, city-wide indoor events with 'restrictions' that won't honestly do a lot?

What's everyone's thoughts on this?


Lots of freshers fairs will be online.
Unis are trying to implement social distancing but you have to rely on young people behaving like young adults rather than 12 year olds.
Worth giving it a go to see if they can follow the rules otherwise the alternative is to shut down unis altogether or remain totally online.
Wait and see.
Reply 10
Original post by DiddyDec
"May", as it stands they are not open.

Only sitting with your household is neither law nor guidance.

When I go to work I mingle with 16 other people not from my household in an enclosed space and that is only because it is a small business.

If laws are being broken it is down to the relevant authorities to enforce.

Current government guidance is:
"you are able to meet indoors in groups of up to two households.......You should continue to maintain social distancing with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble when doing so."

"You can meet [outdoors] in groups of up to six people who you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble."

Many of those I've seen at bars haven't been following this.

Regardless, it should be common sense and out of respect for the lives of others that young people are distancing themselves in the first place.

Working with other people in close proximity isn't exactly comparable to going out with others purely for the sake of wanting a drink.
(edited 3 years ago)
Reply 11
Original post by 999tigger
Lots of freshers fairs will be online.
Unis are trying to implement social distancing but you have to rely on young people behaving like young adults rather than 12 year olds.
Worth giving it a go to see if they can follow the rules otherwise the alternative is to shut down unis altogether or remain totally online.
Wait and see.

I've noticed that lately too, a lot of events being online. But at the same time, a lot of private freshers companies (aka. non-university events) are still being held. I'd love to be able to rely on young people but from the conversations I've been having, I don't have much hope!
Original post by ProperLad
Current government guidance is:
"you are able to meet indoors in groups of up to two households.......You should continue to maintain social distancing with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble when doing so."

"You can meet [outdoors] in groups of up to six people who you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble."

Many of those I've seen at bars haven't been following this.

Regardless, it should be common sense and out of respect for the lives of others that young people are distancing themselves in the first place.

Working with other people in close proximity isn't exactly comparable to going out with others purely for the sake of wanting a drink.

That is for HSE and the Police to deal with then.

I don't see why young people should have to mitigate when it is older generations that are at risk, if young and old just separated from each other it wouldn't be an issue. I do find it funny it is the young who are often accused of being snowflakes yet it is the old complaining that they aren't being treated like delicate little snowflakes. Old people are responsible for their own safety.

I could be working from home to completely mitigate any risk but no. The Government wants people back in offices to keep Pret open. Wealth over health.

Leave home, **** the NHS, save Pret.
I am not a massive drinker and my girlfriend is still 17 (18 in December) I don’t really like clubs that much - so won’t be missing anything.
Original post by DiddyDec
That is for HSE and the Police to deal with then.

I don't see why young people should have to mitigate when it is older generations that are at risk, if young and old just separated from each other it wouldn't be an issue. I do find it funny it is the young who are often accused of being snowflakes yet it is the old complaining that they aren't being treated like delicate little snowflakes. Old people are responsible for their own safety.

I could be working from home to completely mitigate any risk but no. The Government wants people back in offices to keep Pret open. Wealth over health.

Leave home, **** the NHS, save Pret.

yeah but young people still need to follow government guidelines to keep the cases down
just because it primarily affects older people doesn't mean younger people can do whatever
Reply 15
Young people need to remember we all play a part in this - we can't afford to be selfish here. I know people who can't hug (or be in the same room as) their parents, and if fixing that means not going to a bar then count me in.
I think we all need to be responsible- it’s obvious in halls students will still mix and have casual sex - it’s crazy to think that won’t happen. I hope students think not just about themselves but the implications on others who may have serious cases.
Original post by khadijaaaxxxx
yeah but young people still need to follow government guidelines to keep the cases down
just because it primarily affects older people doesn't mean younger people can do whatever

They should follow the law at a basic level, guidance is optional.
Original post by DiddyDec
They should follow the law at a basic level, guidance is optional.


bit selfish
Original post by khadijaaaxxxx
bit selfish

I don't care :h:

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