A group of young students in Alabama is getting involved in a disturbing new trend these days. Kids are throwing Covid-19 parties and betting on who gets sick first. The Covid-19 parties are a competition where people, who know they are sick will attend parties in and around the city.
Yup. That’s right. While The majority are pretty concerned with the danger of contracting the deadly disease. But these students are intentionally trying to get COVID-19.
It seems like the kids think it’s a fun game, and it also comes with a cash prize. They are unaware of the fact that they are encouraging a serious and dangerous trend.
Sonya McKinstry – Tuscaloosa city councilor reported about the matter that students have been organizing “COVID parties” as a game to intentionally infect each other. Whosoever gets confirmed by the doctor first, wins the money made from ticket sales. She says –
“They put money in a pot and they try to get COVID”
McKinstry further added with serious concern to ABC –
“It makes me furious. Furious to the fact that something that is so serious and deadly is being taken for granted. Not only is it irresponsible, but you could contract the virus and take it home to your parents or grandparents.”
Tuscaloosa students diagnosed with COVID-19 have been attending parties as part of a disturbing contest to see who can catch the virus first, a city council member says. https://t.co/jTAafPMmru
— ABC News (@ABC) July 1, 2020
This situation is about taking precautionary measures not only for us but also for our near and dear ones. These kids are actually deliberately inviting people and causing major harm to development.
“This is not political. This is a public health issue. People are dying and there is no cure. We have to do whatever we can to save as many lives as possible.” – told McKinstry
There has been a spike in coronavirus cases like other states. As of Thursday, Alabama had more than 40,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Fire Chief Randy Smith has also confirmed that the COVID parties are taking place. In a briefing to the city council, he reported –
“We thought that was kind of a rumor at first.” Then they realized that it was definitely happening. “We did some research. Not only do the doctors’ offices confirm it but the state confirmed they also had the same information”
And hours after Smith’s briefing, the city council voted to require people to wear masks in public. One medical expert who has recently widely-shared Twitter thread, that demonstrates the effectiveness of wearing a facial covering amid a pandemic.
From the recent sources, it has been reported that these youngsters are attending the parties for the past few weeks.
Authorities are closing honky tonks, bars and other drinking establishments in some parts of the U.S. to stem the surge of COVID-19 infections. Experts agree there’s sound science behind the move. Clusters of cases have been linked to bars. https://t.co/4hn7PipBdg
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 2, 2020
Councilor McKinstry is worried and told that it is hard to stop people who don’t seem worried about the well-being of others.
“It’s nonsense,” she said. “But I think when you’re dealing with the mind frame of people who are intentionally doing stuff like that and they’re spreading it intentionally, how can you truly fight something that people are constantly trying to promote?”
New study of COVID in children finds children can spread virus as easily as adults. Therefore, kids are equal vectors for transmission.
(Good interview by @ashishkjha). #covid19 pic.twitter.com/zaXFbFC6e0
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) July 1, 2020
