The video posted over the weekend from Missouri has become a facepalm moment for health officials. A resort in Osage Beach was so overcrowded that officials have asked those in attendance to self-quarantine for 14 days.
WWE Ozarks: COVID vs Chlamydia https://t.co/iVK9g8Ohep
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) May 24, 2020
Bill Morgan, a manager at Robin’s Resort in the Ozarks said “It was busier here than any year I’ve seen since I’ve been here.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports:
Dr. Randall Williams, the state’s health director, on Monday admonished those who ignore precautions designed to reduce the spread of the potentially deadly coronavirus.
“COVID-19 is still here, and social distancing needs to continue to prevent further spread of infections,” Williams said in a statement, adding that decisions to ignore the orders can have a “long-lasting and tragic impact.”
Republican Gov. Mike Parson allowed Missouri businesses and attractions to reopen May 4, but the state order requires 6-foot social distancing through at least the end of May. The order leaves it up to local and state health officials to enforce social distancing.
The sheriff of Camden County, the area of the lake that attracts the most visitors, said in a statement that there is no crime related to social distancing “and therefore the sheriff’s office has no authority to enforce actions in that regard.”
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences. St. Louis mayor Lyda Krewson is sending out this warning, “If you were part of a group that didn’t socially distance or wear masks, please, for the health of your family, coworkers and friends, stay home for the next 14 days.” And Kansas City Health Director Rex Archer added, “Anyone who didn’t practice CDC, DHSS, and KCMO Health Department social distancing guidance should self quarantine for 14 days if they have any compassion for others.” There seems to be no reaction to this though from Missouri’s Republican Governor Mike Parson or from the president of the United States.
Yesterday I was angry at the people photographed ignoring social distancing at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Today, I remember the blame goes not to regular people but to a president who lies to them about the seriousness of the situation and the popular news channel that echoes him.
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) May 24, 2020
Watch more above from the NBC affiliate in Kansas City, Missouri.