"If You Get Infected with COVID-19, You Get a Cash Prize"… Strange 'Party' of American College Students

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] In Alabama, a state in the southeastern United States, some college students held a 'corona party' where they offered prize money to those who contracted the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) first, prompting local health authorities to take emergency measures.

According to CNN and other outlets on the 2nd (local time), the Tuscaloosa City Health Department in Alabama confirmed that some college students held a corona party with the condition of giving money to those infected with COVID-19.

Sonia McKinstry, a city council member of Tuscaloosa, said, "At first, I thought it was just a rumor," adding, "After conducting an investigation, hospitals confirmed it, and the state government also verified that such information exists." She stated that Fire Chief Randy Smith, who leads the COVID-19 response team, confirmed this fact during a city council report.

Upon investigating some students who tested positive for COVID-19, it was confirmed that they attended a shocking corona party. The party was held with COVID-19 patients present, and the condition was set to give the ticket sales money to the person who got infected first among those who had contact with the patients.

The health authorities believe that such parties have been held multiple times over the past few weeks and that there are likely many more parties that the authorities are unaware of. McKinstry said, "I am angry that such a very serious and deadly matter is being taken for granted," and pointed out, "Corona parties are irresponsible acts that can spread the disease to family members."

CNN reported that Tuscaloosa is currently working to disband these corona parties and has passed ordinances related to mask-wearing. Currently, Alabama has about 39,000 cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases and approximately 1,000 deaths.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.