Frivolous US Citizens: Ignore The Distance On Heroes' Day

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Some Americans choose a different way to commemorate Heroes' Day or Memorial Day in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gathering on the beach, not wearing a mask and breaking the rules of keeping distance.

Indeed, the pain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the US has surpassed the events of the Vietnam War (1957-1975). Nearly 100,000 US citizens have died from COVID-19. Compare that with the Vietnam war which lasted for nearly two decades, namely 58,220 deaths.

US citizens in various states choose to flock to beaches and lakes for the Memorial Day weekend getaway. Reporting from CNN, May 26, Florida state police to disperse hundreds of people on Daytona Beach, Saturday. 23 May.

In the Tampa Florida area, the crowds were so large that the government had to close down parking lots because they were full.

"We're tired of being stuck at home. I'm not afraid of this virus one bit,"

Becky Woosley

US citizens' ignorance of distancing rules is a headache for US coronavirus task force Dr Deborah Birx. He admitted that he was very concerned about the "courage" of US citizens on the beach.

"Right now, we really want to emphasize, that social distancing is very important. And if you can't keep your distance, you're outside, you've got to wear a mask," said Dr Birx at ABC This Week.

The mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, Lyda Krewson is resigned to this situation. He does not want to be responsible for the potential soaring positive cases in the US just for fun during the long holiday weekend.

"Now, these people are going home to St. Louis in Missouri and the Midwest, raising concerns about potential positive cases, hospitalizations, and tragically, death," complained Krewson.