What, You Can Go Clubbing And Stay Up Till Four At 36? That's Allowed?

Sanna Marin clubbing controversy: Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has received immense criticism after it was found that she had gone clubbing despite coming in contact with a COVID-19 positive person. Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto tested positive for the disease on December 4 and all those who came in contact with him were advised to self-isolate. But hours after he tested positive, Marin went out for clubbing in Finland's capital Helinski. That's not it, the PM stayed out as late as four in the morning.

In her defence, Marin has said that she was told that she didn't need to isolate, being fully vaccinated and eventually missed out on a text message that advised her to do that. Apparently, the message was sent to her work phone, which the Finnish PM had left behind when she went out for clubbing.

Now Finland is one of the 57 countries where cases of the new coronavirus variant Omicron have been detected. There have been reports suggesting it is capable of reinfecting people, escaping immunity generated by previous infections and vaccination. While more data is still awaited to confirm or reject these early claims, it makes sense that people are upset with Marin. I for one, feel amused that she managed to pull off the kind of night out that women in my age group can only dream of.

Suggested Reading: Motherhood And Economy: Do We Talk About It Enough?

Marin has apologised for what transpired after her government's Foreign Minister tested positive for the coronavirus. "I am very sorry for not understanding that I needed to do that," she said. Besides, forgoing self-isolation after coming in contact with a COVID-19 positive person is a matter of concern. However, there are times when such issues spark tangential conversations and thoughts.

The news about Marin's night out is one such subject. Coming from a society where a woman has to think twice before saying yes to a night shift out of security concerns, where it is expected to hold your work phones closer to yourself than your wallets, and where crossing 30 is the official age to retire your party boots, Marin's 4am saga has amused me.

Mind you, this is not just about the security aspect of having a night out, it is also about having the liberty to switch off work, and duties towards matrimony and motherhood. A liberty not many women have, which is why what Marin did feels so out of this world. Where does a mom in her 30s even find the energy to party all night? And this mom is a country's Prime Minister no less.

Here's hoping that Marin has more such nights in her life, although without flaunting precautions for COVID-19 and eventually other mommies can also start dreaming about finding inclination, stamina and bandwidth to have wild nightouts.

Views expressed are the author's own.