- Colleges across the country are extending students' spring breaks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
- Some students are taking advantage of the extra time off and cheap flights caused amid travel fears to book low-cost trips.
- Students are booking trips domestically and internationally, despite the health risks of COVID-19.
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Some students say they're willing to risk exposure to COVID-19 if it means the chance to experience a low-cost spring break trip.
Precautions against coronavirus have intensified worldwide with more events such as conferences, music festivals, and community gatherings shutting down after The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic Wednesday.
The announcement was soon followed by President Donald Trump declaring a 30-day travel ban for most travel into the US from Europe. Travel plans for business trips, vacations, and study abroad opportunities have been put into disarray since the announcement.
Students' time in the classroom is also being impacted by the coronavirus. As some colleges extend their spring breaks as a preventative measure to combat the virus' spread, some students are taking advantage of the extra time off to book cheap flights for impromptu spring break trips.
"I got an extended spring break and online class for 3 weeks," one Twitter user wrote. "DM me flights ASAP."
Even though the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has killed more than 4,700 people and infected over 127,000 and spread to more than 100 other countries, some students are willing to take the risk to travel.
While coronavirus poses a bigger risk for people 60 and older, young people are not immune to the virus - particularly if they have underlying health conditions. But for some younger generations, the opportunity of experience is worth the risk.
"Fr I might go somewhere for spring break," another user said. "These flights is cheap. IDC IDC!
Tech students on our extended spring break after getting cheap flights to the beach 😚✌🏼 #coronacation #texastech #springbreakforever pic.twitter.com/A1w1VUC2m7
- Texas Tech Chicks (@texastechchicks) March 12, 2020I got an extended spring break and online class for 3 weeks. DM me flights ASAP 😂
- Nate Posadas (@nepdogg21) March 12, 2020I just booked flights for spring break $72 round trip lmao
- zɐıp zılǝıɹqɐʎ (@_withloveyabi) March 12, 2020Fr I might go somewhere for spring break 👀. These flights is cheap. IDC IDC!
- Javonte Bray (@BrayJavonte) March 12, 2020I just bought 6 round trip flights on Delta to Orlando for Spring Break for $300... it's lit 🔥😂
- Call Me "Q" (@MissQuitaJ_) March 12, 2020Y'all better be booking up on flights. Spring Break might be a loss but summer is still coming
- Savannah Cabanna (@SavannahSande20) March 12, 2020