Are 161 Coronavirus cases just five days after the start of the new ASU semester significant?

On Twitter, Rachel Leingang reports on education for the Arizona Republic,

ASU President Michael Crow confirms 161 positive cases in the ASU community across 4 metro-area campuses, out of ~33K tests. Also noteworthy here: ASU will suspend students for partying. https://t.co/OpLOfR5ZVA

— Rachel Leingang 🌵 (@rachelleingang) August 25, 2020

From ASU President Michael Crow:

ASU successfully launched its fall semester on Thursday, August 20, welcoming more than 127,500 students in multiple learning modalities. [...]

We currently have about 100,000 students and employees across our four campuses in metropolitan Phoenix, coming to the university on staggered days to maintain physical distancing. Since August 1, we have collected test results from 32,729 students and employees. Currently, ASU has 161 known positive cases within our community. Please keep in mind this number includes students and employees across our four metropolitan campuses and includes students living on and off campus throughout the broader community.

The Arizona Eagletarian reported, on June 27 (just shy of two months ago),

Significant spread of the disease (caused by the Covid19 virus) will occur on EVERY school campus that is opened this fall (August/Sept 2020).

I suppose that just five days after ASU resumed in-person instruction, with "about 100,000" students and employees, it may be debatable that "161 known positive cases" is significant. Apparently a LOT of families decided that they DO (or did) feel lucky.

Retired ASU astrophysics professor Jeff Hester said, back in June,


A few days ago, Prof Hester published another video to explain why hybrid classes are NOT a safe answer to today's Covid19 pandemic.

Michael Crow may be determined to solve problems. But minimizing the significance of 161 cases and suggesting that student partying is the crux of the matter rather than actually attending classes, strikes me more as subterfuge than legitimate problem solving.

On the other hand, Florida teachers, like East Valley's J.O. Combs school district teachers, weren't satisfied with their personal safety being compromised without an adequate say in the matter. Combs teachers got the governing board to change course about re-opening.

Florida teachers sued, and WON.

Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson ruled in favor of Florida’s statewide teachers union Monday, saying Department of Education officials “essentially ignored the requirement of school safety” when they ordered campuses to reopen for face-to-face classes this month.

All parents AND educators must realize and recognize that obedience is always voluntary, even when those demanding compliance don't present the directives as optional. Committed, sustained, nonviolent struggle WORKS.