Lockdown. First initiated on March 19th, 2020 by the state of California and later affecting Missouri on April 6th, 2020, it has been strongly advised that people stay home to quarantine themselves from the outside world to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While many people choose to stay home to protect themselves and others, some people decide that they would rather go out instead. Some teenagers even ignore guidelines and party anyways. 

It is known by the students of Lindbergh High School that there are many teens that have partied during the global pandemic. While some students maintain neutral attitudes towards the partiers, others think these people are selfish for risking others. 

“I think it induces the spread of the coronavirus and can be selfish because you don’t know how many people you are putting at risk and everyone’s health conditions are different. Hanging out in small groups is okay but being around new people or large groups can be egotistical,” Cami Thomas (10) said. 

Neiha Cornell (11) agreed.

 “I obviously can’t control what others do. It’s selfish and I haven’t done it at all since the pandemic,” Cornell said. 

She believes that partying puts other people in her family at risk, including two very young siblings. Thomas, who does hang out with others, keeps to a social bubble that is the same every time. 

“I’ve hung out with a couple of my friends. If I do hang out with people outside of school or extracurriculars, it’s usually in a group of the same five people,” Thomas said. 

Teenagers such as Allison Lebaube (12) who disregard the party-people see them as people who are comfortable with their surroundings and the people they hang out with.

“I do know some people who have gone to these gatherings but have worn masks and stayed their distance. I think that they know their limits and how comfortable they are with it,” Lebaube said. 

While Thomas, Cornell, and Lebaube haven’t attended any parties during the pandemic, they have admitted to going to gatherings of 10 or less people, all of whom are in their bubble. This is in accordance with the implementation of a 10 person limit on group gatherings by Governors across the country, including Missouri governor Mike Parson. 

Thomas, Cornell and LeBaube are among the countless people both locally and globally that can’t wait until they are free to go out around other people safely again.

“I miss not having to wear a mask everywhere you go and not having to think about if your actions will cause you or someone else to get sick,” Thomas said.