Greek Up! Fraternity officers and international leaders must step up against the coronavirus. Pretty please.

New C.D.C. data showed that nearly 40 percent of hospitalized patients in the U.S. were aged 20 to 54. But the risk of dying was significantly higher in older people. New York Times, March 19, 2020

Fraternity members and athletes do have status on campus and therefore a powerful voice.

Thus far, the lions have only squeaked in the face of a national threat that could take the lives of neighbors living close to chapter houses.

While it is unlikely we’ll see a hazing death in 2020–thank, God–due to halted student group activities of all kind, the parties continue with students congregating in clusters at parties, campus lawns, bars, beaches.

True, you younger people generally have better immune systems and may even be asymptomatic at times or at least visibly symptom free, BUT if you carry the virus you pose a grave threat to neighbors like myself leaving the sunny side of seventy years old.

The choice is clear. Many of you do the right thing for charity: you do blood drives, you raise cash for causes, you volunteer like few others.

Do the right thing. Isolate yourself and stay in touch by abundant media options for face-to-face socializing.

Please.

And if you ARE a teen or twenty-something taking the coronavirus seriously, THANK YOU…& chew the heck outta any Old Timers who seem oblivious to the danger!

Young and old, no matter, we are all in this together. If I don’t step up, who will?  If you have power and status and step up, that neighbor’s life you save may be my life…or many more lives of seniors.

We old rodeo dabblers had a saying–Cowboy Up.  In this time of national emergency, it’s time to spread the word–or two words: Greek Up! Thanks!