City officials in Tuscaloosa, Alabama warn that several students are hosting coronavirus parties where people with the virus are invited to intentionally infect others.
Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Randy Smith said at a City Council hearing Tuesday that the parties have been going on for several weeks.
“At first we thought it was a type of rumor. We did some additional research, not only did the doctor’s offices help confirm it, but the state … they also had the same information,” Smith told the board.
The state Department of Public Health told NBC News in a statement Thursday that it has been unable to confirm the coronavirus parties, but said anyone who is violating the governor’s health order faces a misdemeanor and fines.
City Councilwoman Sonya McKinstry told NBC affiliate WVTM in Birmingham that the money is raised at parties and that whoever receives the coronavirus first earns the cash.
“At first, I couldn’t believe these kids were throwing parties, putting money in a pot, and intentionally trying to get COVID from the person who has COVID, and apparently whoever gets COVID first gets the pot,” he told the store.
McKinstry criticized the parties against all the work of public officials during the pandemic.
“I am very enraged by the fact that we are constantly trying to do everything we can to stop the spread while they just have a damn party trying to spread it,” he said.
Smith did not say at the council hearing how officials plan to stop the parties. Tuscaloosa Police and Fire Departments did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Just hours after Tuesday’s hearing, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of adopting an ordinance requiring people to wear face shields in public. The ordinance takes effect on Monday.
Alabama has confirmed more than 10,000 coronavirus cases in the past 14 days, according to the state’s public health website. There have been a total of 38,442 cases in the state since testing began in March.
Gov. Kay Ivey extended the state’s “Safer at Home” order through July 31, which prohibits non-work-related meetings when people cannot keep a 6-foot distance.
“I urge you, in the strongest way I know, to incorporate # COVID19 precautions into your daily routine. You are strongly encouraged to maintain a 6-foot distance and to wear a mask when in public,” the governor tweeted Tuesday. . .
“Personal responsibility means it is everyone’s responsibility. If we continue to go in the wrong direction, and our hospitals cannot handle patient capacity, then we reserve the right to go back and reverse the course.” additional.
