Students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama are throwing COVID-19 parties, and the first person to get infected with virus wins money.
What We Know:
- Alabama is in the number of states who have seen a rise in coronavirus cases in the past few weeks. Tuscaloosa City Counselor, Sonya McKinstry, says, “At first, I couldn’t believe it … These kids are having parties, and then they’re putting money in a pot, and they’re purposely trying to get COVID from the person who has COVID. And apparently whoever gets COVID first gets the pot.”
- According to CNN, tickets are being sold to come to the party; that is where they are getting the money from to give to the winner. McKinstry says she thinks it’s just senseless. They thought it was a rumor at first, but then doctors’ offices began to confirm it, and the state confirmed it as well.
- Tuscaloosa has a population of around 100,000, with most of these people being college students attending the University of Alabama.
- City Council voted earlier this week to make it mandatory to wear face masks in public places, and the law is expected to go into effect on Monday. This law is required for both children and adults, but parents can decide for their children between the ages of 2 and 8.
- A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Health, Arrol Sheehan, says people who test positive for the virus are required to shelter at home for 14 days. Those who violate the orders face a misdemeanor with violations up to $500.
The COVID-19 parties come after a party host in New York knew he showed symptoms and still threw a party anyway. Alabama has confirmed a total of 38,442 cases and 947 deaths. In the past two weeks, the state has recorded 10,700 cases.
