Teens in Kerry - who have created a powerful video message - are hoping that it’ll go viral after they teamed up with their peers in Italy to encourage young people to keep their physical distance.

KDYS created a YouTube video ‘I'm in & Staying In - Social Distancing Young People of Kerry & Italy Speak Out 2020’ with a very important message for their peers and for all people – as part of their fight against COVID-19.

KDYS Youth Worker Michelle O’Neill coordinated a determined group of Kerry young people who partnered with Italian young people on an international exchange through KDYS European Youth Centre ‘eurOg’ in Killarney last year.

“KDYS is partnering with young people to play a vital role in protecting our communities,” she said.
“The highly infectious nature of the virus makes us all a potential threat to each other if we don’t observe the critical health guidelines.”

She added that in the course of this, a great deal of attention has fallen on young people and stories of them gathering in groups throughout towns and villages.

“This has invoked a lot of frustration and anger towards young people but we should be careful not to single them out as the main culprits. We are asking all young people and adults to be heroes and save lives by pledging to ‘I’m in and I’m staying in’.

Send your pledge via the KDYS social media sites using the hashtag #ImIn&ImStayingIn & #KDYSHeroes.