Coronavirus party

A coronavirus party (also called corona party or lock-down party) is a gathering with the intention of catching COVID-19 or simply on the basis that the participants are not worried about the consequences for themselves or the community. The phenomenon has been noted in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[2] Such gatherings are explicitly mentioned (and banned) in the Netherlands model safety orders for the pandemic.[3]

A six pack of Corona, a beer sometimes drunk at coronavirus parties[1]
Invitation to the "Corona Party" for locals only, somewhere in Australia

Examples

One person participating in a coronavirus party in the U.S. state of Kentucky tested positive on a COVID-19 test.[4] Other events, such as coronavirus-themed gatherings, have also been condemned as unwise.[1] Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported on 15 March 2020 that many people celebrated the evening right before new lock-down rules took effect. A large number of corona parties were organized last minute.[5]

On 19 March 2020, the police reported having to end several corona parties in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The participants, ranging in age from 15 years to mid-twenties, were aware of their wrongdoings. The youngsters met on schoolyards, at barbeque sites, and in parks. The police president asked parents to take responsibility for their children.[6]

According to Austrian broadcaster ORF, four men met on 21 March 2020 in a club house in Heiligenkreuz am Waasen. One of the men, Gerhard Hirschmann (Freedom Party of Austria), turned out to be a member of the state parliament of Styria. His and other parties condemned his behaviour, after which Hirschmann stepped down.[7] However, Hirschmann soon reversed his decision and is currently running again for member of the state parliament of Styria. [8]

On 9 April 2020, 14 students living at a residence hall in Tartu, Estonia held a party despite some of these students showing symptoms of COVID-19. As of 18 April, 16 students in residence were confirmed infected. The government decided to lock down all 280 students living in the building with the police, ensuring that nobody could leave.[9]

Greater Manchester Police has warned people not to breach lockdown rules over Easter after it had to break up 660 parties during the pandemic.[10]

A party held on 19 June 2020 in Stanwood, Washington attended by as many as 70 people contributed to a spike in COVID-19 cases that delayed phase 3 of the reopening of Snohomish County.[11]

Reactions

German newspaper FAZ commented that some people do not want to stop partying in spite of the danger of an infection. Others gather just because of this possibility, believing that they will be immune and can go back to their normal lives after an infection and getting sick. The privately organized corona parties are the realisation of this plan.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Friends throw 'coronavirus party' with face masks, 'Quarantini' drinks, Pandemic game". Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  2. "Police chief slams nightclub over coronavirus party post". 2020-03-20.
  3. Noodverordening van de voorzitter van de veiligheidsregio [...], page 7 (Article 2.1: 'Verboden samenkostem en evenementen) 26 March 2020, accessed 28 March 2002.
  4. "A group of young adults held a coronavirus party in Kentucky to defy orders to socially distance, resulting in a new case of coronavirus for one of the participants". Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  5. Het Laatste Nieuws: “Schaam je!” Belg die corona-ellende van dichtbij meemaakt in Italië, haalt fel uit naar feestvierende Belgen, 15 March 2020, last seen on 28 March 2020
  6. Badische Neueste Nachrichten: Polizei löst „Corona-Partys“ in Baden-Baden, Bühl und Durmersheim auf, 20 March 2020, last seen on 21 March 2020.
  7. FPÖ-Abgeordneter feierte „Corona-Party“ orf.at, 20 March 2020, last seen on 21 March 2020.
  8. DerStandard, 11 May 2020, last seen on 26 May 2020.
  9. Coronavirus cases increase to 16 at Tartu students' halls of residence news.err.ee, 18 April 2020, last seen on 19 April 2020.
  11. Caldwell, Evan. "Snohomish County officials opt to not yet apply for Phase 3". Stanwood Camano News (26 June 2020). goSkagit. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  12. FAZ.net: Feiern bis der Arzt kommt, 19 March 2020, last seen on 22 March 2020.
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