Coronavirus and Parties: Are College Kids Stupid?

I feel like a crochety old person for even asking

Photo by Brian Jones on Unsplash

I have a friend who is in college. Let’s call her Kate. She’s over 30 years younger than me, but we’re friends.

Recently she came home for Spring Break. We talked about getting together because I haven’t seen her in a while.

“I’d love to see you,” I said. “But we have to figure out a safe activity, because of this Coronavirus. I have to be extra careful too, because I have an elderly mom.”

“Yeah, I get it,” Kate said. “I have the same issue, ’cause I’m staying with my grandparents right now.”

So I thought we were on the same wavelength. We discussed washing our hands well before getting together. We’d go for a walk in the park and maintain 6 feet of distance between us. Then when I got home, I’d immediately throw my clothes in the hamper and jump in the shower.

It seemed workable.

“Of course no hugs,” I said, as we tried to figure out a time.

“Aw,” she whined. “I haven’t seen you in ages and I love to hug.”

WTH??? I thought.

“Well, that’s part of what we have to do,” I said. “We have to assume we are contagious even if we have no symptoms. It’s not…