Spring breaker apologizes for saying he would keep partying if he got coronavirus and admits his generation has a 'responsibility' after millennials sparked outrage for refusing to self-isolate

  • A man who gained notoriety for spring break partying during a pandemic despite warnings against large gatherings apologized for his comments
  • Brady Sluder said in an Instagram post that he was owning up to his mistakes and he didn't realize the impact of his words
  • Sluder had originally said that he was going to party in Miami and 'whatever happens, happens' despite a supposed lockdown on Florida's beaches 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

An Ohio man who went to Florida on spring break has apologized for saying in a viral video last week that he wouldn't let warnings about the coronavirus stop him from partying and 'if I get corona, I get corona.'

Brady Sluder said in an Instagram post that he was owning up to his mistakes and he didn't realize the impact of his words.

'Don't be arrogant and think you're invincible like myself,' he wrote.

Brady Sluder gained notoriety last week for spring break partying during a pandemic in Miami despite warnings against large gatherings. He has since apologized for his comments

Brady Sluder gained notoriety last week for spring break partying during a pandemic in Miami despite warnings against large gatherings. He has since apologized for his comments

Sluder had originally said that he was going to party in Miami and 'Whatever happens, happens' despite a supposed lockdown on Florida's beaches

Sluder had originally said that he was going to party in Miami and 'Whatever happens, happens' despite a supposed lockdown on Florida's beaches

Brady Sluder said in an Instagram post that he was owning up to his mistakes and he didn't realize the impact of his words

Brady Sluder said in an Instagram post that he was owning up to his mistakes and he didn't realize the impact of his words

'I wasn't aware of the severity of my actions and comments,' Sluder wrote in a humbling apology on his Instagram account.

'I'd like to take this time to own up to the mistakes I've made and apologize to the people I've offended.' 

The 22-year-old from Milford, Ohio, downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic telling a TV news crew in Miami last week that 'we're just out here having a good time. Whatever happens, happens.'

'If I get corona, I get corona. At the end of the day, I'm not gonna let it stop me from partying,' Sluder said during the TV interview.  

Sluder has since had some time to rethink he original comment.

'Our generation may feel invincible, like I did when I commented, but we have a responsibility to listen and follow the recommendations in our communities,' Sluder wrote. 

Brady Sluder said in an Instagram post that he was owning up to his mistakes and he didn't realize the impact of his words

Brady Sluder said in an Instagram post that he was owning up to his mistakes and he didn't realize the impact of his words

'I will continue to reflect and learn from this and continue to play for our well-being. I deeply apologize from the bottom of my heart for my insensitivity and unawareness of my actions.' 

Sluder has said said he does not want to endanger the elderly and other people who may be at-risk people in his life. 

'I'm not asking for your forgiveness or pity. I want to use this as motivation to become a better person, a better son, a better friend, and a better citizen…Don't be arrogant and think you're invincible like myself,' he wrote in his post.

In a second note posted to Instagram, Sluder continued with his apology.

'I’ve done a lot of things in my life that I’m not proud of. I’ve failed, I’ve let down, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I can’t apologize enough to the people i’ve offended and the lives I’ve insulted. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, or pity. I want to use this as motivation to become a better person, a better son, a better friend, and a better citizen. Listen to your communities and do as health officials say. Life is precious. Don’t be arrogant and think you’re invincible like myself. I’ve learned from these trying times and I’ve felt the repercussions to the fullest. Unfortunately, simply apologizing doesn’t justify my behavior. I’m simply owning up to my mistakes and taking full responsibility for my actions. Thank you for your time, and stay safe everyone.' 

It didn't take long for the original video to be shared widely across social media and held up as an example of young people ignoring warnings about the coronavirus pandemic. 

Authorities have reacted by cracking down and ordering more restrictions on public gatherings. 

In Florida, some local officials closed their beaches before the state's governor closed all of the beaches after images of rowdy spring break college crowds appeared on TV for days.

Meanwhile, five students at the University of Tampa have tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling for their spring break, school officials say. 

The college students were traveling together with other UT students, but the school has not specified where they went during their break. 

On Friday the University posted that initially one student test positive. Then on Saturday four more students who traveled together for break tested positive.  

Three of those students returned to campus after their spring break travels.  

Those students are now self-isolating and have not been hospitalized. It's not clear if those pupils live on or off campus.  

The University of Tampa shared this notice saying the students had traveled together with other UT students for spring break before testing positive for the virus

The University of Tampa shared this notice saying the students had traveled together with other UT students for spring break before testing positive for the virus

The university had switched to online classes last week on March 17 and students have been instructed to leave campus. 

'UT has been notified that four UT students, traveling together and with other UT students during Spring Break, have tested positive for COVID-19. One of the students did not return to campus after spring break, and three returned to campus. All are self-isolating – the latter three on campus -- and none have been hospitalized,' the school posted on Facebook on Saturday. 

'The Florida Department of Health is following its protocol to identify, notify and quarantine any individuals that have had contact with these individuals.

'We sincerely wish our students, and any others who may be affected, a full and rapid recovery,' the statement added.

Millennials on Spring Break go wild during the COVID-19 outbreak at the beach in Miami

Millennials on Spring Break go wild during the COVID-19 outbreak at the beach in Miami

There were more than 8,000 new coronavirus cases in the US as of 11pm on Tuesday

There were more than 8,000 new coronavirus cases in the US as of 11pm on Tuesday

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