Partying continues despite CDC guidelines
PHOTO: An increased number of parties are being reported by Davis residents, for fear of a super spreader event occurring.
By Alex Miyamoto,
BlueDevilHUB.com Copy Editor–
After an exhausting week, Davis High students finish the school day. It’s a Friday, and buzz about a party later that night circulates the school.
Students post a location on social media that other peers can find and meet up at. A party forms, loud music plays, all in an attempt to find some normalcy during the COVID-19 era.
Students are reporting a lack of masks, social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols at these gatherings.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), large gatherings should still be avoided to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
However, the guidelines, such as the ones listed below, are not enough to keep students at both UC Davis and DHS from gathering.
A student at DHS who would like to remain anonymous says, “people are in very big crowds, it’s dark, and very hot ”. The student identifies parties taking place at either a “sizable” house or a location, “in the middle of nowhere.”
In a survey with over 300 respondents, 66% of DHS students have been to a party in the past six months.
However, Deputy Police Chief Paul Doroshov has not noticed a significant change in the amount of calls within the past year regarding parties.
Even though the frequency of parties has been the same, Doroshov thinks the community’s sentiment towards them has changed.
“People were more nervous that there was a large gathering and people without masks or grouping together,” Doroshov said.
He explained that the ‘regular’ callers were more quick to call, due to health concerns of a superspreading event. “Parties that were not normally called in were called in,” Doroshov said.
Doroshov recommends that COVID-19 guidelines and protective measures should be followed at all events.
The City of Davis and Greek life leaders on the UCD campus have been collaborating to ensure that rules are being upheld.
A UCD sophomore, who will be referred to as Olivia Davidson, is a member of Greek life. Davidson parties frequently and has noted the impact of COVID-19 protocols and UCD event recommendations.
“We are advised to wear our masks when we all get together at the (sorority) house,” Davidson said.
Davidson has noticed that not all protocols are being followed at parties but feels safe with reassurance that she “(hasn’t) known anyone that has gotten COVID.”
UCD has provided resources and assistance to students who are organizing or participating in events in order to keep them COVID-19 safe.
Sorority and fraternity life coordinator Payton Gates has been involved in educating and spreading knowledge of how to set up a safe event.
Events must follow these guidelines: for indoor events of over 100 people, vaccination proof or a recent COVID-19 test is required. The UCD Event Safety Requirements also recommend these protocols be followed for outdoor events.
UCD fifth-year Daniel Mistir is part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Mistir parties frequently and feels safe with the UCD COVID-19 vaccination policy. “(The policy) makes me feel safe when I leave the house,” Mistir said.
