Graci Vlattas, Junior Editor
The student body has been abuzz throughout campus following the release of sorority and fraternity bid choices, at least those of which who participated. And “Shake Day” was a fine celebration, indeed, if you were to look past the resulting casualties.
“Shake Day,” the weekend in which bids for new members of fraternities and sororities were distributed, occurred in the beginning of February and caused a stir among the mountain. The day was filled with everlasting fun and fanfare despite the slightly chilly weather, including but not limited to early wake up calls, late McClurg trips and surprise visits from the firetruck! However, lost amidst the chaos was a sickness hiding in the crowd.
Now, it is not the fault of those who showed up at Shake Day sick; after all, we do rally, don’t we? The crux of the matter relies on the following events of Shake Day, and how those who attended began to drop like flies. People called in sick with the mysterious but infamous “frat flu,” and classes were at least half-empty. Now, the sickness stretched to all parts of campus. Members of The Sewanee Purple themselves were down for the count, leaving our lovely Editor-in-Chief, Chloe Wright, to formatting day by herself.
It was found later in the week following Shake Day that this illness may not have been as simple and secluded as it seemed. We, the student body and staff, were informed of the spreading flu cases and the possibility of COVID-19 in the mix as well. From personal experience, I can assure that strep throat was located somewhere in the inflicted as well. The University Wellness Center was filled with patients and complaints, and hallways of dorms smelled suspiciously like Dayquil and Nyquil. The next few days were miserable but bearable. Professors were out, and students were quite absent, creating a grand finale to wrap up the excitement that was recruitment. What is Sewanee without a little sickness?
Though with all of the eccentricities and worries regarding health and safety, do you think any student would use those as an excuse to miss class? Surely not, right? Stay safe out there, Sewanee!