University Of Alabama Sorority Holding 600-Person Party, With Blessing Of Local Government

Topline

The University of Alabama’s Kappa Delta sorority is staging a party for 600 people on Tuesday night, and its plans were approved by city officials even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate out of control.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“This party, especially the timing, is a recipe for disaster,” University of Alabama staffer Sabrina Snowberger told the Daily Beast. “And I’m worried people will infect or even lose family members or loved ones as a direct result of the virus spreading at this event.”

What To Watch For

College towns have become hot spots for coronavirus transmission since students returned for the fall semester, likely importing infections from their hometowns around the country. Now, as students travel home for Thanksgiving, health officials are worried their travel will further fuel the record spread currently in the United States. 

Big Number

11,949. That’s how many coronavirus cases have been confirmed throughout the pandemic in Tuscaloosa County, according to Alabama Public Health. Almost 10% of those cases (1,137) have been reported in the past two weeks alone.

Key Background

The U.S. is in the midst of the largest coronavirus spike yet seen in any country. More than 160,000 new cases are now being recorded, on average, every day, according to Johns Hopkins University. Hospitalizations are also skyrocketing to record highs. A new record has been set every day for a week straight, according to The COVID Tracking Project, with Monday being the first time the country passed the 70,000 hospitalizations mark. Deaths are also spiking across the U.S., now averaging more than 1,000 per day, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

Further Reading

Alabama Sorority Gets Official Blessing for 600-Person Farm Party Just in Time for Holidays (Daily Beast)

19 Of The 25 Worst U.S. Coronavirus Outbreaks Are In College Towns (Forbes)

A Third Of Americans—And Most Republicans—Will Spend Thanksgiving With People Outside Their Household, Study Finds (Forbes)

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