U.S. coronavirus death toll nears 100,000
Vacationers packed Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend, ignoring guidance to maintain 6 feet of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Scott Pasmore, an anchor at CBS Arizona affiliate KTVK-TV, posted footage of festivities showing people flooding a pool without mask.
Pasmore captioned the video, “No covid concerns at the lake of the ozarks.”
No covid concerns at the lake of the ozarks😳 #loto pic.twitter.com/Yrb4UNM64u
— Scott Pasmore (@scottpasmoretv) May 24, 2020
Additional videos from Snapchat Map shows similar scenes playing out at bars and recreation areas around Lake of the Ozarks. Many places appeared crowded and showed patrons without masks or at least 6 feet apart.
This is a video from Snapchat maps in the Lake of the Ozarks Saturday pic.twitter.com/hSczsbPjnU
— Bryce Derrickson (@BruceyD17) May 24, 2020
Missouri’s stay at home order expired earlier this month, though state health director Dr. Randall Williams ordered statewide social distancing until at least the end of May. CBS News has reached out to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services for comment.
Missouri has reported at least 11,752 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 676 deaths.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson responded to the crowds, according to CBS Missouri affiliate KMOV-TV, saying she is worried about what it will mean for possibly spreading COVID-19.
“It’s irresponsible and dangerous to engage in such high risk behavior just to have some fun over the extended holiday weekend,” she said. “Now, these folks will be going home to St. Louis and counties across Missouri and the Midwest, raising concerns about the potential of more positive cases, hospitalizations, and tragically, deaths. Deeply disturbing.”
The Camden County Sheriff’s Department told The Associated Press that officers have been trying to keep up with the influx of crime because of the crush of people in the area, let alone having the deputies to enforce social distancing.
