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A now viral video posted to social media shows a massive gathering of University of North Georgia (UNG) students at a party on Saturday night. Revelers flooded the lawns of off-campus homes in Dahlonega, Georgia, two days before the official start of the school year.
It is unclear who originally posted the video, in which dozens of students flouted guidelines against large social gatherings and few, if any, carried face masks to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement to CBS News, UNG Executive Director of Communications Sylvia Carson confirmed that a large outdoor party took place on Saturday night at a private off-campus apartment complex near the school campus. by Dahlonega.
“We are disappointed that many of our students have chosen to ignore COVID-19 public health advice by congregating in a large group with no social distancing or face covering,” Carson said in the statement. “The University of North Georgia continues to emphasize to our students and the academic community that everyone has an individual responsibility both on and off campus to follow the guidelines of the Department of Public Health. Georgia and the CDC to prevent the spread of the virus. “
Georgia has become one of the country’s hot spots for coronavirus cases. There is no mask warrant in the state. Gov. Brian Kemp has said he encourages the wearing of face masks in public, but he fought the efforts of local authorities who sought to demand masks. In an executive order on Saturday, Kemp extended an orderly shelter for “medically fragile people,” and continued the ban on large gatherings, reports CBS Atlanta affiliate WGCL.
According to state health data, young people between the ages of 18 and 29 account for the 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 age groups, who are more vulnerable to serious illness, have had fewer confirmed cases but more hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.
Many health officials fear that reopening of schools can spike in cases in some communities and that young people who do not take precautions could put many others at risk.
UNG implements several measures to prevent the spread of the virus during the fall semester, which began on Monday. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear masks inside UNG buildings and must complete a self-examination checklist before coming to campus each day. People with symptoms are asked to stay off campus. Social distancing is recommended and occupancy levels will be reduced to help people stay six feet away from each other. Classrooms and common areas will also be disinfected by on-call staff.
The video of the Saturday night party prompted many to voice their disapproval and lack of confidence in preparing for school.
“The first day of class at..University of North Georgia starts on Monday..UNG..is already a COVID nightmare..before day 1..There are massive crowds..and the eye can see, and .. no one is left behind and no one wears a mask, ” wrote Professor Rutgers Richard E. Ebright.
“It’s a choice dear students. You can have classes in person, or you can have parties. You can’t have both. The choice is yours,” tweeted Stephen Caldwell, Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas.
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