Image via Michael Vano / Shutterstock.com
Over the Memorial Day weekend, videos of people celebrating in crowded pool parties during the coronavirus pandemic have gone viral on social media.
One of the videos displayed people partying in close proximity at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. The video was shared by Twitter user @maxbaker_15, who captioned the post as “This video is on Snapchat in the Lake of the Ozarks? Unreal. What are we doing?”
Another video shot by Scott Pasmore, an anchor for KTVK, showed people gathering at Backwater Jacks Bar & Grill in Osage Beach. The bar had posted about the summer party, called Zero Ducks Given Pool Party, on Facebook for people to come together for the weekend.
According to Missouri’s reopening plan, restaurants were allowed dining-in services with social distancing rules and preventive public health measures put in place, per CNN. However, both of the videos went viral as people were seen dismissing social distancing measures instilled to curb the COVID-19 spread.
The CDC has reported that the virus is not likely to spread in water but the risk increases if people are in close proximity. It is crucial for people to stay at least 6 feet apart to avoid getting infected and it is more important for people in pools or at beaches as masks are not helpful in water.
The videos sparked outrage as internet users expressed their disappointment about the incident. “I am rarely this shook up, but tonight is taking the cake. I'm mad, despondent, nauseous, and defeated all at the same time,” a Twitter user responded to the video.
Some internet users have also taken the opportunity to mock the situation by referencing the Jason Bateman-starring Netflix’s show Ozarks.
One user joked, “Marty Byrde [played by Bateman] getting ready to launder the cartels money after seeing the how many people were at the pool party yesterday in the Lake of the Ozarks.”
This video is on Snapchat in the Lake of the Ozarks? Unreal. What are we doing? pic.twitter.com/m0qsEQ4KLp
— Max Baker (@maxbaker_15) May 24, 2020No covid concerns at the lake of the ozarks😳 #loto pic.twitter.com/Yrb4UNM64u
— Scott Pasmore (@scottpasmoretv) May 24, 2020Marty Byrde getting ready to launder the cartels money after seeing the how many people were at the pool party yesterday in the Lake of the Ozarks pic.twitter.com/TbE463PIPm
— alex (@AlexUlrichh) May 24, 2020Marty Byrde telling the gang end game of going to Lake of the Ozarks pic.twitter.com/WYQy22hk8e
— Gamer1🎮🕹 (@LFCFanClub3) May 24, 2020Clicking through to see why “Lake of the Ozarks” is trending: pic.twitter.com/u8JSZGN3rJ
— Rob Krosley (@RobKrosley) May 24, 2020Me, watching “Ozark” on Netflix: This isn’t really a fair representation of the average IQ of Missourians.
Actual Lake of the Ozarks during a pandemic: pic.twitter.com/EFfKQdwtds
[via CNN, cover image via Michael Vano / Shutterstock.com]