The world might never return to its previous state after the coronavirus pandemic. The dangerous COVID-19 virus caused thousands of deaths, and literally devastated the global economy.

However, many people found the issued restrictions, rules, and guidelines too hard to obey.What’s more, some even object to them in the most ridiculous ways!

Have you heard of the so-called coronavirus parties?

While there have been almost 44 thousand coronavirus cases in Alabama, as well as a thousand deaths, not all of its citizens have understood the gravity of the situation.

It was reported that Alabama teens have been throwing “coronavirus parties”, with the goal of becoming infected with the virus.

Students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama have been throwing these happenings and attendees pay to go to them. People who have tested positive for the virus are encouraged to attend the party, to infect others.

The first one to receive a positive coronavirus test from a doctor afterward wins the collected money!

Wait..what?

Tuscaloosa city councilor Sonya McKinstry said:

“They put money in a pot and they try to get COVID. Whoever gets COVID first gets the pot. It makes no sense. They’re intentionally doing it.

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.”

While officials believed it was just a rumor at first, it was later confirmed by Tuscaloosa fire chief Randy Smith.

He said:

“Not only do the doctors’ offices confirm it but the state confirmed they also had the same information.

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.”

In his presentation to the City Council, Smith said nothing about what is being done to stop this behavior, or what schools the students were from. 

Tuscaloosa is the seventh-largest city in Alabama and home to The University of Alabama and several other colleges.

In a statement, the University of Alabama said:

“We have been aware for weeks of the rumors about COVID parties. We conducted a thorough investigation, and although we have been unable to identify any students who may have participated in these types of activities, we will continue to follow up on any information we receive and educate our students about essential precautions.”

The city of Tuscaloosa does its best to inform the public about these parties and the risks they pose to the rest of the community, and to break them up.

At the beginning of the pandemic, it was suggested that the virus mostly affected older adults and those with underlying health conditions, and it was believed that even if they got infected, youngsters would experience mild symptoms only.

Yet, it turned out that young adults were getting infected, and some even ended up hospitalized and on intensive care.

While most severe cases are still seen in the elderly, young people could very likely pass it on to a more vulnerable person in their family or community.

Doctor Mathew Heinz, whose been treated COVID-19 patients at the Tucson Medical Center in Arizona, explains that these people must understand that they are a part of the solution, “so we need their help with following the masking guidelines, social distancing, and being aware.’’

Yet, it turns out that youngers fear social isolation more than the deadly virus.

Depression and anxiety have been on the rise since the beginning of the crisis, and many young people are worried about the effects of the pandemic and the restrictions on their mental health.

Psychologist Lisa Jacobs explains that they “are appropriately realizing that isolation is a risk for them as well — it’s a risk factor for depression, and depression is a risk factor for suicide.” 

Moreover, many young people remind of the climate crisis effects and numerous shootings that keep occurring at their schools and ask why no one has gone to extreme measures to protect them in those scenarios.

Yet, we need to be reasonable and responsible citizens during these challenging times. The sooner we fight this virus, the better for us.

Let’s just hope that we will soon be able to freely leave our homes, spend time with our friends and family, and enjoy life like we used to do.

Sources:
apnews.com
abcnews.go.com
ktla.com