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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at IUP chapter.

The coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has rapidly spread across the world in a global pandemic. 

While some of us may be exercising some caution, practicing healthy habits like hand washing and social distancing to keep ourselves (and our loved ones who may be more susceptible to the virus) safe, there are some of us who aren’t as concerned.

I live in Western Pennsylvania, about an hour outside of Pittsburgh. Currently, Pennsylvania has about three thousand confirmed cases of the coronavirus according to the Pennsylvania state government with the highest number of cases in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Allegheny, and Bucks county.

The county that I live in has two confirmed cases. It should also be worth noting that I live in a small town with a large elderly population. My hometown is also a college town and as you may have guessed, college towns are notorious for college parties. 

Since the governor has ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close, all of the schools, restaurants, and other local businesses have shut their doors for the inevitable future. This includes the bars and liquor stores.

If you’ve ever been to a college party (or if you’re in college yourself) you know that there’s usually quite a bit of alcohol involved. I’m not saying that every single college student is a raging alcoholic, and I’m definitely not implying that every single person who goes to a college party is there to drink either. I certainly don’t. But I have noticed what seems to be an overabundance of parties, which seems awfully strange. 

I’m not trying to drag anyone for wanting to spend time with their friends. But if you are going to get a bunch of your friends together, I would encourage you to think, at least for a minute, of the people you are putting at risk. You may be young and relatively healthy and if you get sick, you will probably be able to bounce back, but what about your grandparents? What about your friend with asthma? Or your pregnant sister? And if you’ve been smoking? The coronavirus is a respiratory infection, after all, so if you’ve been trying to quit, now would be an excellent time. 

Just think about it. 

Michaela Shaw was the vice president and senior editor of the Her Campus chapter at Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 2020-2022. During her time as an undergraduate student, Michaela was also a member of Active Minds, Alpha Kappa Delta, the National Society for Leadership and Success, Sociology Club, and Psi Chi. She also volunteered with Hopeful Hearts, a grief support group for children and families. After completing an internship at Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families, she graduated in August with a dual baccalaureate in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Child and Adult Advocacy Studies. She likes video games, reading, rainy days, vinyl records, Thai food, and spending time with her cat, Ron. 
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