No—a COVID party is not a celebration when someone successfully fights off COVID and returns from the hospital; although, it could be, and that would be more appropriate than the kind this article is referring to. Teens and young adults (and some not-so-young) have been known to act impulsively and make bad decisions—so why stop during this pandemic?!
During the summer, reports of “COVID parties” increased, in which people (mostly teens and young adults) would host a party with a large number of attendees in hopes of spreading the virus. Some were attempting ‘herd immunity’ while others made a competition out of it.
In July, local officials from Tuscaloosa, Alamaba reported to CNN that “Some young people in Alabama are throwing Covid-19 parties, a disturbing competition where people who have coronavirus attend and the first person to get infected receives a payout.”
During the same month Forbes reported that “a 30 year old male in San Antonio, Texas who recently attended a “Covid party” believing that the virus might be a hoax is now dead.”
And what about huge Airbnb parties popping up around the globe? Police and local officials are cracking down on party home and large vacation home rentals. It has been reported in several states that extreme parties are happening, which are increasing the spread of the virus. The home rental company is helping local officials by removing listings that have violated the terms of the rental policy, which typically state no parties or events.
Speaking of Airbnb parties:
“One party in Jackson last weekend had roughly 700 people present, Murphy said, and it “took nearly the entire Jackson Township police force to break up.” Jackson police told the Associated Press that it took five hours to break up the party.”
“Last week, teenagers attended a party in Middletown that has been linked to at least 50 new positive coronavirus cases in teens between the ages of 15 and 19, Murphy added, and a Long Beach Island party resulted in nearly 30 lifeguards testing positive,” (CBSNews).
Unfortunately not every large gathering or party can be prevented, but police and rental companies are much more aware of the pervasive issue and are taking measures against them happening. The virus is nowhere near over and the CDC continues to recommend that individuals practice social distancing and avoid large crowds.
Hopefully people will learn that their actions are continuing to keep the United States in a very troubling spot regarding COVID-19. The sooner we realize our mistakes and learn from them, the sooner our lives can get back to normal.
