ATLANTA — Some college students say COVID cases are spiking at their school, and they don’t believe school officials are handling the spread -- or telling the entire truth.
Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes was at Georgia Tech, where officials are asking students not to go home this holiday weekend so they don’t bring the virus with them.
Over 800 students have tested positive for the virus since March, with over 600 students testing positive since the start of the school year.
Classes started August 17 with officials allowing students to decide whether to learn virtually or come back onto campus.
A group of students have started an anonymous Instagram account voicing their concerns.
Students and staff seem to feel comfortable sharing things on social media, but Georgia Tech officials said not everything they are posting is true.
Caleb Torres is on the student government board at Tech and was elected by his peers to represent them. When he saw that a student anonymously created an Instagram page saying the university was handling the virus poorly, he said he welcomed the criticism and learned a few things himself.
“I know there are several things I found on the account that ended up being totally true, and it was really disappointing to see that,” Torres said. “I think a healthy dialogue is important and it’s crucial right now to be able to have these open conversations and honest conversations.”
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Fernandes spoke with the student who started the Instagram page, called Jackets Infect Jackets. She wanted to remain anonymous but said that Tech isn’t telling the truth about how they’re handling infected students in quarantine.
“Georgia Tech is saying they weren’t placing sick students in an on-campus apartment, but I spoke directly to a student who has been placed in on campus apartment, and R.A.’s who have had students placed in their care,” she said. " I spoke to a housing staff member who gave me verification that it’s true.”
Tech officials sent Fernandes a statement, reading, in part:
“RAs are NOT being asked by Housing and Residence Life administrators to CARE for sick students. They DO NOT transport students, or deliver food.”
They also admitted they were going to have all freshman who have roommates move out of their dorms, because the roommate situations were helping the spread of the virus. But when students and parents complained, they reversed that decision.
Cox Media Group
