Professor has been forced to apologize after telling his students to go out there and catch coronavirus to “get it over with” because none of them “are going to die” from it.
67-year-old Dr. Victor J. Massad is an associate professor at the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania who came under fire after telling students that the sooner they get the virus the better it is.
Victor J.point 8 | Massad – LinkedIn [middle]
“I think the sooner you guys get it, the better.point 78 | Because none of you are gonna die from this and we need to have, you know, everybody be immune,” the business professor told the students on August 24 as he spoke out about the novel coronavirus.point 240 | 1
“And so the sooner that people are immune, the better. And so you all should be going to Shorty’s [a local bar] every night, you know, interacting, getting this thing, get it over with.”
The professor’s comments directly contradicted the university who advised its students to social distance and wear face masks following the institution’s reopening.
As the Philly Voice reported, the professor’s lecture via Zoom was recorded and shared on social media where it sparked fury and rebuke.
Following the backlash, Professor Massad has apologized for his comments which he considers “a huge lapse in professional judgment.”
“I am embarrassed and ashamed to have made them,” he said. However, as the professor insisted, he “was being rhetorical and flippant when I made the comments.”
Massad also spoke out to Lehigh Valley Live and told the outlet that he will make it clear that he supports coronavirus protocols and that “the idea that I would intentionally encourage students to go to Shorty’s and socialize is ridiculous.”
As the Philly Voice reported, university officials confirmed that the matter “has been addressed.” It is not clear, however, whether the professor will be subject to disciplinary action.
Replaced!