SAGE, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies in the UK, released a paper suggesting that people ages 19 to 28 who are isolating because of coronavirus should get free gaming gear.

The paper argues that young people desperately need free video games because they haven't been complying with COVID-19 restrictions due to their “lack of trust in government and lack of clear information.”

It turns out that only "free mobile phone data, streaming and gaming” will keep the kids in check.

Send them books..... to read, rather than access to porn sites or games.

— Jimmy Forwell (@SailorJimmy007) November 6, 2020

Young people naturally want to hang out, smoke weed and play with Tech Decks. Those things are now difficult to do because of COVID-19, so I think it’s reasonable to give young people a stipend to spend on video games.

Dude.....gaming won’t get them an education or do them any good for their future. Think long term before you type.

— Jimmy Forwell (@SailorJimmy007) November 6, 2020

How this would shake out with real policies is a tricky question. There would have to be a specific age group the government would pick (18-29 the paper suggests), and of course every 30 year old would be rightfully pissed off.

The pay out wouldn’t be too difficult to parse as I think if this actually happened that the government could just give out pre-paid cards out to those who qualified.

Those people are literally the future of the human race. You were that age once. what the hell is wrong with everyone belittling a group they just don't understand? Basing your damn opinions over a few stories you heard. Step outside your closed mind for once.

— CharlieShade (@DoodleCrazy99) November 6, 2020

Sadly, the U.S. government can’t even give out cash to its citizens in need at the moment, so this entire scenario is incredibly unlikely in the State. If we can’t get the basics like food and shelter down, Xbox is super far down the line. 

Boomers took offense at this proposal, claiming video games are a waste of time and young people should instead be reading books, knitting sweaters, and getting a job.

How many young people don’t have WiFi to use if they’re isolating at home so ridiculous!

— HannahTime (@hannah1time) November 6, 2020

But as long as old people continue to get all their news from Facebook and never question it one bit, I say the government should definitely buy us all PS5's.

Apparently you can't even watch porn on the new console so this solution is completely family friendly.