Baylor social media influencers contract COVID-19

WACO, TX — Brooklyn and Bailey are known world-wide as social media influencers, and they are currently beginning their senior year at Baylor. When the twins came back to Waco, they also became some of the ones who tested positive for COVID-19.

The twins are widely known for their YouTube channel, which has over 6.9 million subscribers. Their Instagram touts 5.7 million followers. Now they even have an online business, all because the sisters document their everyday lives and adventures at Baylor University.

“What Brooklyn and Bailey have done is they have invited millions of people every week to have a glimpse of what college life is really like,” said Vice President for Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer for Baylor Jason Cook.

Following their acceptance to Baylor, Brooklyn and Bailey began a marketing agreement with the school in 2017, but Cook says they are students first. Social media starts second.

“We do have a separate marketing contract with them where they provide one to two social media posts for the institution for the semester. Those are clearly indicated as sponsored content. We’ve been very upfront with our relationship with them and follow all the appropriate federal social media guidelines there,” explained Cook.

Three days ago, less than a week after classes started back, Brooklyn and Bailey announced on Instagram they both tested positive for COVID-19.

View this post on Instagram

Brooklyn and I tested positive for covid today after testing negative last week. We are aware this is going to raise a lot of questions but before commenting pls read the rest of this! As you guys know, Baylor chose to do some in person classes as well as some online classes. They have taken every precaution, including mandating masks, requiring students to test negative before coming back to school, and many, many more precautions. It is NOT due to in person classes that this happened. As you also know, Brooklyn went to Utah and filmed the 10 dates in 10 days video in early August. She tested NEGATIVE after filming this series in order to come back to school so it did NOT come from that either. We have been unbelievably careful by wearing masks in public, as well as social distancing, limiting the number of ppl we come in contact with and more. We have followed all precautions. So this raises the question... how did we catch it? Brooklyn and I live with two other roommates, who have also been unbelievably careful. Baylor is contact tracing every positive case, and unfortunately both roommates were listed as contacts by someone who tested positive. Both were asked to quarantine at home and to stop attending classes. Within a few days 3/4 of us in our house started showing symptoms and immediately went to get tested. Please be aware of large gatherings and be mindful of CDC guidelines. Limit who you are seeing. Be socially distant when you can. It’s possible you might be asymptomatic and then transfer it to a friend who is more at risk, or to an older family member or friend. So here we are. Positive for corona! #2020 It’s not exactly what we had imagined it to be, but it’s different for everyone. We want to be open about the experience since we are sure y’all are very curious about the process. We will keep y’all updated daily on stories! Comment any questions you have for us and we will do our best to respond:)

A post shared by Brooklyn and Bailey (@brooklynandbailey) on Aug 28, 2020 at 4:48pm PDT

“It's very unfortunate that they have had to announce that they contracted COVID-19, but their feelings about Baylor University’s response to COVID-19 is all their own. That is from them. That is heartfelt from them. Baylor University had nothing to do with those statements,” said Cook.

Bailey said in their post that they aren’t sure how they caught it, but that “Baylor is contact tracing every positive case, and unfortunately both of their roommates were listed as contacts by someone who tested positive.”

Cook said that the sisters tested negative when they first arrived on campus and have been great citizens following CDC guidelines. Now they will have the opportunity to show millions of viewers what quarantine and online classes will look like.