A no-viral video posted on social media shows a massive gathering of students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) at a party on Saturday night. Partygoers flooded the lawns of off-campus homes in Dahlonega, Georgia, two days before the school year officially began.
It is unclear who originally posted the video, in which dozens of students flew guidelines against large social gatherings and a few, if any, carried face masks to protect against the distribution of COVID-19.
In a statement to CBS News, UNG’s executive director of communications, Sylvia Carson, confirmed that a large open-air party was being held Saturday night at a private, off-campus apartment complex on the school’s Dahlonega campus.
“We are disappointed that many of our students have chosen to ignore COVID-19 public health counseling by meeting in a large group without social distance or face coverage,” Carson said in the statement. “The University of North Georgia continues to emphasize to our students and university community that everyone has an individual responsibility both on and off campus to monitor the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC to prevent the spread of the virus. . “
Georgia has become one of the nation’s hotspots for cases of coronavirus. There is no mask mandate in the state. Gov. Brian Kemp has said he encourages face masks to be worn in public, but he fought efforts by local officials who sought to require masks. In an executive order on Saturday, Kemp expanded a shelter in place to order “the medically fragile,” and passed the ban on large gatherings, CBS Atlanta branch WGCL reported.
According to state health data, young people aged 18 to 29 account for a majority of coronavirus cases in Georgia – more than 56,000 of the state’s 215,528 positive cases to date. People in this age group account for 1,446 coronavirus hospitalizations and 38 deaths in the state.
Older groups, who are more vulnerable to serious illness, have had fewer confirmed cases, but more hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus.
Many health officials are worried that the reopening of schools can cause a spike in cases in some communities, and that younger people who do not take precautionary measures can put many others at risk.
UNG implements various measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the fall semester, which began Monday. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are expected to wear masks when in UNG buildings, and must complete a self-screening checklist before entering campus each day. Those with symptoms are asked to stay on campus. Social distance is recommended and occupancy levels will be reduced to help people stay six feet apart. Classes and common areas will also be sanitized by supervisory staff.
The video of the party on Saturday night prompted many to express their disapproval and lack of confidence in preparing for school.
“The first day of classes at..University of North Georgia begins on Monday..UNG..is already proving a COVID nightmare..for day 1. There are massive crowds..as far as the eye can see, and .. no one distances and no one wears masks. ” wrote Rutgers Professor Richard E. Ebright.
“It’s a choice dear students. You can have person classes, or you can have parties. You can not have both. The choice is yours,” tweeted University of Arkansas associate professor Stephen Caldwell.
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