A video clip posted to Twitter by KTVK-3TV anchor Scott Pasmore in Arizona shows dozens of pool party-goers enjoying themselves at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, on Memorial Day weekend with no sign of social distancing or face masks.
The video, which has the caption, "No covid concerns at the lake of the Ozarks," has elicited millions of responses nationwide, with opinion split over the wisdom of such behavior.
One person's critical reply of those at the party in a tweet said, “If even just one person has COVID19 here they infect almost 3 people. Those people then bring it back to their families, work, and grocery stores. This behavior is immoral and a gross derelict of humanity.”
Many others cheered on the party-goers, with one person tweeting, “This is wonderful to hear. Masks aren't only dangerous (breathing in the toxins one exhales can damage lungs) common sense but masks signify control, dehumanization, muzzling & enslavement."
The Lake of the Ozarks was expecting a large turnout this weekend, with one resort manager telling CNN affiliate KTVI, "It's supposed to be one of the biggest Memorial Day weekends we've seen at the lake here in years."
The bar hosting the event on Facebook said this was its launch of a summer party called "Zero Ducks Given Pool Party."
The video was posted as Missouri officials announced that two Springfield hairstylists had tested positive for coronavirus, potentially infecting the 140 customers they had served, USA Today reported.
It also came shortly after Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said his state is experiencing evidence of a second peak, pointing to a high school swim party that has been linked to new COVID-19 cases as an example of why he is urging people to be “disciplined” in their activities.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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