To the Journal editor:

COVID-19 cases are spiking nationwide. A large part of this has been shown to be from college students going to bars, concerts, and parties.

In spite of this, the Northern Michigan University administration has decided to reopen dorms, eating halls, and classrooms on campus. This is bringing 7,000 students (and their potential exposure) from all over the country to funnel this into the small town of Marquette.

It is impossible to predict whether this will make Marquette into a COVID-19 “hot spot” but already this weekend there were numerous house parties in Marquette, with minimal or no masking and social distancing.

The irresponsibility of this decision by NMU is appalling and the consequences will rest on the shoulders of those who made it.