‘I am in shock’: Fabens seniors pose for group graduation photo without social distancing or masks

FABENS, Texas -- May graduations have been canceled to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but one photo surfacing on social media shows seniors at Fabens High School not following social distancing guidelines with their celebration.

The photo was sent to ABC-7 by a viewer who wrote, "No masks, no social distancing, no care what so ever! Fabens will have a rise on Covid! I am in shock they did this!"

The photo taken last week shows nearly 65 students huddled together for a photo with what appears to be only one person wearing a mask.

The Fabens Independent School District denied have any connection to the celebrator photo.

FISD issued a statement that read in part, "The Fabens Independent School District, nor any of its entities, was affiliated with organizing the parade nor any activities that followed. The Fabens ISD takes social distancing guidelines seriously as the safety of the students is our number one priority."

Dr. Hector Ocaranza, the El Paso County/City Health Authority declined to comment specifically on the photo, but during an El Paso City Council meeting on Wednesday, he said there were risks to not following the guidelines.

"These children and young people can bring the virus to other households and people who are considered high risk, so we need to be careful," observed Dr. Ocaranza.

Social distancing will be the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, according to the county's top doctor.

"That’s the way that we’re going to be victorious against this pandemic, but it takes everybody to use prevention," Dr. Ocaranza noted, adding that "we know that we’re going to be living with the virus."

If we aren't careful now, he warned the virus will come back.

He told El Paso leaders, "We need to plan for second wave, a second wave is coming once people let guard down and don’t practice social distancing."