"‘I Made a Mistake’: 30s American Dies After Attending 'Corona Party'"

Events Intentionally Exposing Young People to COVID-19 Trend
Prize Offered for First Confirmed Case in Alabama, USA

On the 11th (local time), visitors wore masks at Walt Disney World in Florida, USA, which opened on the same day. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] A man in his 30s who attended a so-called 'corona party,' intentionally exposing himself to COVID-19 while denying the existence of the novel coronavirus, has ultimately died.

On the 12th (local time), the U.S. media outlet 'The New York Times (NYT)' reported that a man in his 30s who was hospitalized and receiving treatment for COVID-19 at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas, died after battling the disease.

Dr. Jane Appleby, the chief medical officer at the hospital, explained in an interview with the NYT, "This man attended a gathering with infected individuals to test whether COVID-19 was real or not."

The deceased patient reportedly left a will stating, "I thought COVID-19 was fake, but it was not," and "(Being exposed to COVID-19) was my mistake."

The patient is said to have attended a 'corona party.' A 'corona party' is an event held mainly by young people such as college students in the U.S. after lockdown orders were lifted, where COVID-19 infected individuals are invited into a confined space to intentionally expose others to the virus.

They reportedly hold such events with the intention of confirming who gets infected and how the virus spreads if COVID-19 truly exists.

On the 12th, people gathered in Miami Beach, Florida, enjoying the warm weather. On this day, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Florida exceeded 15,300, marking the highest ever recorded. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, college students reportedly held a 'corona party' where a prize was awarded to the first person to become infected with COVID-19.

On the 2nd, Sonya McKinstry, a Tuscaloosa city council member, said in an interview with U.S. 'ABC News,' "Students are blatantly ignoring quarantine guidelines and holding corona parties," adding, "It is a reckless act that could spread the disease to their families. We will work to disband all such parties."

In fact, COVID-19 infections are spreading mainly among young people in their 20s and 30s in the U.S. According to the San Antonio city health authorities, out of 19,137 cumulative confirmed cases in the city, 8,477 cases (44.3%) are among people in their 20s and 30s.

Dr. Appleby pointed out, "It is fortunate when COVID-19 patients improve with treatment and are discharged, but some patients are fighting for their lives, and we must realize that young patients are not invincible."

She added, "We decided to disclose this case to convey the message that anyone can contract COVID-19," emphasizing, "You must wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, and avoid meeting many people."