A Guide to (Not?) Partying in 2020
As I was sitting in my apartment last Friday, the first Friday night of the UM Fall semester, I could hear laughter and excitement as students greeted one another. It was an exciting atmosphere, but a sour taste developed in my mouth when I started hearing the jeering and cars starting that indicated that it was time to go downtown.
President Bodnar released an email on Friday that departed from his usual gracious tone: “It is a wonderful privilege to be able to offer in-person learning options on our campus this fall, and our ability to be able to continue with our plans for this semester depends on everyone doing their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Keep wearing your mask at all times, practice social distancing and wash your hands.” Candidly, he implores students to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Among 50% of universities opening for in-person courses this Fall (USA Today), UM has the potential to succeed in reopening. . . but also, we could fail; due, in part, to student off-campus activities.
Bodnar importantly notes in his 8/21 email, “I know weekends are for fun and socializing, and with some creativity, you can still have a good time and mitigate COVID-19 risks. I’m asking that everyone make smart choices this weekend.”
I appreciate Bodnar’s conscientious approach to cautioning students about partying but also not demonizing college students for solely being responsible for COVID transmission. There has been more than enough uninformed blaming going on in 2020. However, it cannot be ignored that a Missoula researcher found that “people in their 20s across the state have the highest incident rate (of COVID-19) compared to other age groups.” (KPAX)
Walker adds that he has been observing a relatively stable or even “slowly dropping” spread of COVID-19 since July (KPAX). Between an influx of traditionally-aged, 20-something college students and a looming flu season, it is UM student responsibility to wear face coverings and practice social distancing to prevent spikes in infection in Missoula.
Our university is open, and it is our responsibility to protect ourselves. Some students are choosing to only take online classes, while some students are excited to be back in Missoula and are hitting the bars and having parties.
UM, and most other universities around the US, have implemented few provisions about consequences for parties that break social distancing requirements (6 feet apart, facial coverings, no groups larger than 10 people). For the most part, students have a party, COVID-19 transmission occurs, and then the university moves classes online.
All the University can do is react to infection rates, distance students in university residence halls, request that fraternities and sororities limit numbers in their houses, and give out Healthy Griz Kits. Students are free to do whatever we want in private, off-campus housing, and bars and restaurants remain open around Missoula. Reiterating President Bodnar’s point, it is UM student responsibility to proactively ensure we can maintain an in-person learning experience. It is a sad time, especially personally, to be an upperclassman and have to stay home on a Friday night. However, I would rather be a senior in college grieving for non-quarantine days than a UM student endangering the well being of my fellow students and professors by ignoring safety protocols.
Let’s be grateful for in-person education, a continuing school year, and a chance to be back in the wonderful city of Missoula. Let’s practice our gratitude by responsibly partying!
ASUM Renter Center Guide to (Not) Partying
- Use that Healthy Griz Kit and your face coverings. Have you seen the array of cool and cute masks out there?! Take advantage of this moment and make a fashion statement. Also, a mask helps with our lovely Missoula smoky days, limiting coffee breath spreading to others, and keeping your face warm!
- Know who’s in your circle and what they’ve been up to. My roommate and I decided to make a clear/no clear list for our apartment this year. We have a list of friends we see frequently and socially distance responsibly, and we have a few people in mind who we will make sure to Snapchat and Houseparty with for the time being. Keep your safe friends close, and virtually connect with friends who may put you at risk for infection. Take advantage of all of the fun apps out there that you can use to connect too!
- If you are planning a get-together, be prepared with a screening checklist, no matter how formal or informal, to ask yourself and your guests about COVID-19 symptoms. Here are some example questions:
a. Have you been traveling anywhere fun in the last two weeks (the 14 day incubation period)?
b. Did you wear a mask when you went to Plonk last weekend? Did it seem really crowded inside?
c. Have any of your roommates/friends/family/partners tested for COVID or had COVID symptoms lately?
Sources:
