I just received an email from Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones which strongly criticizes the behavior of under 30 students at house parties and bars, which is the primary contributor to the recent dramatic upsurge in COVID-19 cases in Athens County.

Her email goes on to list specific actions/behaviors students can take to help get things back under control.

I have to agree with what the email says. I hope we all cooperate.

Dear Students,

I need your help. Since March, Athens has maintained some of the lowest COVID-19 case counts in the state– but this week is another story. Of th 201 total reported cases in our county, 156 of them are individuals under 30 years old. The Athens City-County Health Department attributes this surge of cases to house parties and Uptown gatherings. As a result, many local businesses have had to shut down. We must do better, Bobcats.

This community is where we live, work and study. Many students living in Athens are doing their part to follow safety guidelines and protect our town. That will make all the difference when we’re face-to-face (or mask-to-mask) this fall.

Here's where I need your help:

· Wear a mask anytime you are in public that fully covers your nose, mouth and chin.
· Do not host or attend parties where you cannot have 6 feet between you and others.
· If you are told to quarantine or self-isolate due to symptoms or exposure–do it!
· Hold yourself and your peers accountable for these actions and set a good example.

Your support, actions and/or inactions in the coming months matter to this community. We now know you can spread this virus without even knowing you are a carrier. You must take this seriously.
Yesterday the City of Athens passed an ordinance that will require masks with $100 fines attached, local police have been directed to shut down gatherings of more than 10. Mask-wearing will be enforced on campus in conjunction with the code of conduct.

This fall campus may look/feel different with these measures in place, but it is still our home. These changes make it possible for us to be together, while also keeping the spread of COVID-19 in check. I know you love this community like I do and that you care about the people in it. So, while it means thinking and acting differently than ever before, I expect you to protect it, now more than ever.

Be well,


Jenny Hall-Jones, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Vice President & Dean of Students

Having just turned 30 last year, I have to agree that people under the age of 30 are the cause of coronavirus. Really sick of these kids ruining everything

Are there really many students on campus now, in the middle of July?

I stayed one summer in Athens. At that time, I would say in general the vast majority of houses in the student area had at least one inhabitant staying over summer taking classes and/or working. Since the leases run all 12 months, it’s kind of a “might as well” type deal for many. It’s definitely significantly less students than normal, but not a small number by any means. Certainly enough to pack the bars on the weekends, especially when you had other students coming down to visit.

FWIW, I loved my summer in Athens.

+1

I had a great time over the summer in Athens. Way fewer people, so you got to know everybody around pretty well, ran into the same folks night after night at the bars, and just generally had a more laid back vibe.

So there you have it - the last five posts in this thread - and that's exactly why many long term residents are scared to death of August 24th. I'm not one of them because I wear a mask and avoid crowded places but for those who watch the 6:00 news, this is frightening.