Having ignored the warnings of medical experts–including its own on-campus doctor–a reopened Liberty University now faces a massive outbreak of the coronavirus.
The notoriously homophobic university set off a media sensation last week when it announced it would reopen, even as the number of COVID-19 cases skyrocketed in the US. Approximately 5,000 students attend Liberty University.
Now The New York Times reports that an outbreak of the virus has already taken hold on the campus. At least a dozen students have come down with symptoms characteristic of COVID-19. Three had to be hospitalized over the weekend, and of those three, at least one has a confirmed positive for the virus.
Related: Antigay Liberty University to students: “Don’t worry about coronavirus! C’mon back to school!”
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“Liberty will be notifying the community as deemed appropriate and required by law,” said University President Jerry Fallwell, Jr. of the outbreak.
Fallwell’s words also come on the heels of a New York Times report that the head of student health on campus, Dr. Thomas W. Eppes, had warned Fallwell of the impending disaster, should the school reopen. Eppes confirmed to the Times that though he did not insist Liberty remain closed, he did tell Fallwell the school had “lost the ability” to control COVID-19.
Fallwell has also earned notoriety for his denial of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it a conspiracy to unseat Donald Trump in the fall. “It makes you wonder if there is a political reason for that. Impeachment didn’t work and the Mueller report didn’t work and Article 25 didn’t work, and so maybe now this is their next attempt to get Trump,” Fallwell told Fox & Friends earlier in March.
Falwell had also previously said that COVID-19 would not pose a threat on campus. “We think Liberty’s practices will become the model for all colleges to follow in the fall, if coronavirus is still an issue,” he told reporters last week.
Jared MacBride
His father was a sleazy con artist who cared only about money. The son has a Jesus complex.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
When do these lemming-like religious nutbags wake the fcuk up and realize these snake oil sleazebag smcubags are only interested in maintaining their extravagant lifestyles at the expense of the of welfare and financial stability of these ignorant masses??
tampaed
Just remember when they start getting sick and dying it’s gods will.
Crystix
You can’t fix stupid. But you *CAN* send them out in large groups and see and what happens.
“Blessed be the fruit”
“Under his eye”
Beachman
I have no issue with right wing conservatives refusing facts and knowledge that might help them. Not just at Liberty U., but also Florida, Louisiana, and other southern states (funny how its always in the south!?!). Remember, Trump lost the popular vote by over 6 million, and under 100,000 votes in about 4 states.
So let them back to LU….go to spring break in Florida, and party on in New Orleans….your ignorance and hubris may help get this country back on track.
Kangol2
Um, are you predicting the 2020 election, because Dumpy lost the 2016 election to Hillary Clinton by a little fewer than 3 million popular votes, not 6 million. You’re right that he scuttled into office by winning 3 key swing states by roughly 70,000 votes, and thus received an edge in Electoral College votes.
There are quite a few people in the two states you listed who are trying to do the proper thing, protect themselves and others, and save lives. No one deserves to die, even if they’re complete fools, but foolish leaders like Falwell Jr. and DeSantis often end up consigning innocent people to unnecessary harm and, in the latter case, death.
Let’s hope Floridians (and the Liberty students, and people in states run by horrible right-wing governors) do not start perishing in the massive numbers that are being tossed around, because that would make the unfolding catastrophe even worse.
Rock-N-RollHS
So your idea of a news story is to wait four days AFTER (not NOW as you write) a story appears in The New York Times and then basically repeat the story with some old bits thrown in. I actually thought there was some new development. You guys are quarantined in your houses, I assume. Can’t you report some actual news?
Cam
The right wing troll account is scrambling to deflect from the actual topic.
The actual topic being, Right wing Republican Fallwell ignored health advice so he could order students and staff back to the school where they became infected. All so he could make money.
There, topic back on track.
Harley
I’m sure Falwell is self quarantined with his pool boy and gym buddy as we speak.
Tombear
When a cluster of Liberty University students become sick and die remember it’s God’s will!