Keeping kids safe during this year’s back-to-school season has been a challenge for both parents and students of every grade level. Colleges, in particular, are implementing plans to keep students safe from COVID-19 — some with more success than others. While most students have diligently followed the guidelines, others have been less responsible. Case in point: this girl at a Texas Tech party bragging about having COVID-19 in a new viral video.
Twiter user Taylor Smith shared the video on Saturday, September 5. “What’s happening at Texas Tech,” her caption reads.
WARNING: The following video contains strong language.
What’s happening at Texas Tech. Side note, I do not know this girl but she was brave enough to post this for others to see! If you are selfish like this with no regards for others safety, fuck off! pic.twitter.com/8K3G85Zkxk
— taylor smith (@tayylorcsmith) September 5, 2020
“Everyone’s like, ‘Don’t you have COVID? Like, don’t you literally have COVID?” the young woman tells the camera, SOLO cup in hand. “Yes, I f****** have COVID, the whole f****** world has COVID.”
The camera pans around to reveal a backyard full of unmasked party-goers. “All of these people have COVID,” the woman continues. “So stop getting on my tip, stop getting on my tip. Like, I’m having a good time.” To conclude, she flips off the camera for good measure.
Smith clarified that she doesn’t know the girl in the video, but suggested in a follow-up tweet that the video was taken at Texas Tech.
@TexasTech How some of your students are acting.
— taylor smith (@tayylorcsmith) September 5, 2020
COVID Spike at Texas Tech?
The Lubbock, Texas university is currently experiencing a number of COVID-19 cases. As of September 9, the school recorded 612 active cases, including 571 students. Combined with recovered cases, the school has seen a grand total of 1055 infections during the crisis.
On September 3, university President Lawrence Schovanec announced that the school had seen a “notable increase” in positive cases. While the president praised students who have followed safety guidelines, he blamed those attending off-campus parties for the spike.
“We know, through our contact tracing efforts, that most of our positive cases are the result of parties and other social gatherings that are taking place off campus,” he said. “Although our current number of active cases are about 1% of our university population, if this rise in positive cases continues, we are prepared to make significant adjustment to our plans.”
We have received a report and are aware of a video related to COVID. The matter is being addressed by the Office of the Dean of Students and Student Conduct.
— TTU Dean of Students (@TTUDeanStudents) September 7, 2020
Responding to the viral video, the university’s dean of students tweeted that the matter was being addressed by the school.
Meanwhile, the managing director of the school’s Office of Communications and Marketing confirmed the investigation to Insider. However, the official was unable to say whether or not the young woman in the video is a Texas Tech student.
Local news in Lubbock reported that the town has seen a sharp increase in cases since classes began at the school on August 24. According to Everything Lubbock, the city has seen at least 250 cases each day since September 1, with the previous high point being 184 on July 1.
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Texas Tech COVID Girl Video — Sources
Everything Lubbock
Insider
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University Office of Communications & Marketing
