Whew, if donkey of the day were a person, it would be each individual going to the Alabama “who can catch COVID-19” theme parties to intentionally spread the virus.
According to a city council member, students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who have been diagnosed with the virus, are attending local parties as part of a disturbing contest to see who can intentionally catch it first, ABC News reports.
City Councilor Sonya McKinstry recently learned about the behavior and parties, which are organized to spread the virus to each other, and alerted the city council.
“They put money in a pot, and they try to get COVID. Whoever gets COVID first gets the pot. It makes no sense,” McKinstry said. “They’re intentionally doing it…. It’s nonsense,” McKinstry added. “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?”
McKinstry fears some people will go to the parties, not knowing the true intentions of the hosts. “We’re trying to break up any parties that we know of,” McKinstry told ABC News.
Despite the fact that the contagion has killed more than 127,000 people across the nation, organizers are inviting people they know have COVID-19. On Tuesday, Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Randy Smith told the City Council he has confirmed the students’ reckless behavior.
“We thought that was kind of a rumor at first,” Smith reported to members. “We did some research. Not only do the doctors’ offices confirm it, but the state confirmed they also had the same information.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Smith did not say which school the students attended or what is being done to stop the ignorant behavior. Shortly after Smith’s statements, the council unanimously voted on an ordinance that will require people to wear face coverings while in public.
It is unknown if the carriers of COVID-19 have infected anyone during the parties, but what is known is their violation of the state’s ‘Safer at Home Order,’ which states people who test positive “shall be quarantined to their place of residence for a period of 14 days.” However, the misdemeanor charge and violation fine of $500 apparently does not cause fear.
According to data reported by the Alabama State Department of Public Health, as of Wednesday, the state reported 38,422 cases, a significant increase from the 10, 696 cases reported 14 days before. 947 have died in Alabama as a result of the pandemic.
The city of Tuscaloosa reported 2,049 of those cases and 38 deaths. Sadly, this may have a damaging ripple effect on the area and even outside its borders.
