Some USC students ignore social distancing, mask rules, social media posts show
Social media posts show dozens of people at Columbia student housing complexes partying despite social distancing and mask requirements.
A picture posted to Snapchat and shared by by a rising senior at the University of South Carolina shows dozens of people elbow-to-elbow in the swimming pool at a Columbia student apartment complex. A second USC student shared a separate Instagram post from a different user showing more than 60 people at the same apartment complex on Monday.
None of those in the picture appeared to be wearing masks.
The pictures were posted to social media, but The State was unable to contact anyone who was at the parties.
Other social media screen captures show more than a dozen people at a Tuesday birthday party for a USC sophomore at another student apartment complex.
The State has reached out to the owners of the student apartment complexes.
The University of North Carolina, which had recently opened for on-campus classes, largely blamed off-campus behavior for the spread of coronavirus, according to a statement posted on UNC’s website. The spread caused UNC authorities to revert to all virtual classes.
“Whether at Chapel Hill or another institution, students must continue to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing, as their personal responsibility, particularly in off-campus settings, is critical to the success of this semester and to protect public health,” UNC President Peter Hans said in the statement.
USC has been encouraging students to wear masks and socially distance through its #IPledgeColumbia campaign, providing virus testing and working with landlords to discourage unsafe partying.
“Our team has worked hard to educate property managers, and it would be very disappointing if they were not enforcing public health standards that are designed to protect the community,” said USC spokesman Jeff Stensland.
Columbia City Council has given initial approval to an ordinance that would penalize landlords whose properties are cited for partying and violating public health rules.
USC has also established an online system for anyone to report on USC-affiliated people who violate health guidelines, Stensland said.
Bob Guild, president of the Granby Mill Village Association, said students have continued partying since the pandemic began.
Last week, for example, Guild said he called the police non-emergency number because of a noisy house party in the neighborhood. He wasn’t sure whether students inside were wearing masks and socially distancing, but “I’ll bet you my last paycheck they aren’t,” Guild said.