Englewood Beach in Charlotte County, Florida, was shut down on March 22, 2020, by local authorities to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.
As school closures swept across the United States over the past few weeks, the phrase “social distancing” has become a staple in our daily conversations. Our lives have transformed into something unfamiliar and often unsettling. While emotions range from irritation to anxiety, we grapple with understanding the coronavirus and its far-reaching consequences. In response, various states and cities have implemented “shelter in place” or “stay at home” orders. While residents can still leave their homes, non-essential businesses have been instructed to close their doors. This is crucial to enable as many people as possible to work remotely and minimize contact with others. If we genuinely want to flatten the curve, slow the spread of COVID-19, and ease the burden on healthcare systems, it is absolutely essential that we practice social distancing.
This means it’s time to cancel your vacation plans and day trips. Seriously, keep your butt at home—thank you very much.
An aerial shot from a drone captures a deserted beach in Miami Beach, Florida, as officials work to contain the coronavirus outbreak on March 24, 2020.
Many individuals are taking the pandemic warnings seriously. However, too many others seem indifferent to the plight of those around them. Some folks act as though the rules don’t pertain to them, believing that they are the only ones facing inconvenience during this so-called “overreaction.” They go about their lives as if they’re immune, dismissing the risks of being asymptomatic carriers and the potential to spread this highly contagious virus.
Let me be clear: These individuals are exhibiting a privileged and selfish mindset.
Just days after California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a shelter-in-place order, parks, bike paths, hiking trails, and beaches were overflowing with people. Mayor Eric Garcetti reminded residents of the seriousness of the situation, exclaiming, “What don’t you understand about staying home?” In Boca Raton, officials were forced to publicly showcase crowded boat parties, highlighting the stark disregard for social distancing.
In Florida, some seem to think that proximity to water justifies their presence there, disregarding health advisories. College students, like Jamie Thompson, lamented how the coronavirus has “really ruined my spring break.” Jamie, what’s truly impacting many of us during this time is the loss of income, financial instability, and heightened health risks—not your beach plans.
Apparently, we’re all just making too big of a deal out of this. After all, according to Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, there were only 367,457 confirmed COVID-19 cases and a mere 16,113 deaths at one point. Yet, five confirmed cases were linked to students from the University of Tampa who prioritized partying on the beach over the risks involved.
You might be thinking, “Where are their parents?” Now is the time to protect your family, especially considering the risk to older generations. But guess what—plenty of adults are also ignoring the guidelines.
I’ve seen numerous posts on social media from individuals who refuse to cancel their trips. They remain determined to enjoy their vacations to Hawaii or embark on “once-in-a-lifetime” adventures in Utah or along the Oregon coast. Not only do these adults have the means to travel, but they also possess the audacity to ignore clear travel restrictions from the CDC and WHO. The U.S. government has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory globally.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has urged travelers to postpone their vacations for at least the next month to safeguard the health of communities and prepare for the virus. Currently, Hawaii has reported 56 confirmed cases, and those picturesque destinations won’t be welcoming tourists anytime soon if people don’t start reevaluating their priorities.
Let’s face it, folks—the coronavirus doesn’t care about your travel itinerary. Ignoring health recommendations will only prolong quarantine measures, keeping businesses shuttered and kids out of school. Your desire for a getaway is contributing to the healthcare crisis, forcing medical professionals to confront an overwhelming influx of patients without adequate protective gear.
I understand the frustration. I, too, am about to reschedule flights for a visit to my long-distance partner. We’re 1,400 miles apart, and I’m unsure when I’ll see her next. It’s incredibly disappointing, but my longing to see her doesn’t supersede the health of others. I refuse to be the reason someone else is put at risk.
I’m tired of seeing people with a “not applicable” attitude or those who act as if the usual rules don’t apply. This is not life as usual. We can’t proceed with our regular plans. Get over yourselves, heed the advice of the CDC, and please stay home.
This article was originally published on March 24, 2020.
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Summary
The article discusses the importance of adhering to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic and emphasizes the need to cancel vacation plans. It criticizes those who prioritize personal desires over public health and highlights the consequences of ignoring guidelines.
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