Have you ever been to Lake of the Ozarks?
Specifically, Osage Beach area?
If so, you have seen some YUUUGE parties!
The infamous “Party Cove” is from this area, and most recently the party has shifted from the Cove to the pools at local establishments like Backwater Jacks and Dog Days.
But with the Rona infecting everyday life across the country, many wondered….would this year look different at the Lake?
Will people be scared to be in a crowd?
Will people give up all liberties and stay at home like good little boys and girls?
Well, those questions have been answered loud and clear in Red State Missouri and the answer is a resounding NO!
Pool-goers were back in full force just like any regular Memorial Day Weekend, and it appeared that for these people at least, a return to normal is the clear choice.
Oh, and…..THEY WERE OUTSIDE!
We all realize that, right?
These people were in the great outdoors where wind and air and atmosphere carry away the Rona just as fast as it allegedly comes out of someone’s mouth.
Check out the scene:
TMZ reported:
If you need guidance on social distancing ... look away.
Apparently, these folks didn't see the sign that read, "Please practice social distancing: 6 ft apart."
The shindig went down at a Memorial Day party at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The lake was filled with boats, and sun worshipers and ... well, looked just like any other Memorial Day.
The Governor partially re-opened the state, but with safety guidelines, including social distancing. It was clearly lost on all these people. BTW, the video was shot by Scott Pasmore, a reporter with the CBS affiliate.
The state has also allowed restaurants and other businesses to re-open. The question ... will this happen there?
And from CNN:
Video posted by a reporter shows partiers crowded together in a pool at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, this Memorial Day weekend.
Scott Pasmore, an anchor for CNN affiliate KTVK, shot the video at Backwater Jacks Bar & Grill in Osage Beach on Saturday.
The gathering violates social distancing measures intended to limit the spread of Covid-19. As part of Missouri's reopening plan announced earlier this month, state officials said restaurants may offer dining-in services but must adhere to social distancing and other precautionary public health measures.
Jodi Akins, from Blue Springs, told CNN in a message that she visited the bar with four friends for a pool party on Saturday.
"When we walked up my first words were 'oh my gosh' it was intense for sure!! Social distancing was nonexistent. However everyone was enjoying themselves. It was a very carefree environment but security was heavy!!" she wrote to CNN.
She said the bar took some safety precautions.
"They checked all of our temps and had thousands of little bottles of hand sanitizer!! They did a good job with what they had to work with!!" she wrote.
The bar posted on Facebook that this was its launch of a summer party called "Zero Ducks Given Pool Party." It advertised several DJs and bands performing throughout the event.
"The venue has worked with and taken the advice of government officials and management teams and will be following social distancing guidelines. Extra precautions and safety measures will be taken to provide a safe environment for you to enjoy the event," the bar said.
The bar said it would be operating at reduced capacity, attendants would be continually cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms and that there would be a paramedic on staff for the duration of the event.
Coronavirus is not likely to spread in water, the CDC says, but it does spread through people in close proximity. Staying at least 6 feet from others is particularly important at pools or beaches because masks are impractical in water.
For example, several people who attended a high school swim party in neighboring Arkansas contracted Covid-19, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Saturday.
Large turnout was expected
The Lake of the Ozarks expected a large turnout this weekend after getting a late start to the season because of the pandemic, according to CNN affiliate KTVI.
"It's supposed to be one of the biggest Memorial Day weekends we've seen at the lake here in years," Bill Morgan, manager of Robins Resort in Lake of the Ozarks, told KTVI earlier this week.
Adam Kirk lives in Osage Beach, Missouri, and shot a time-lapse drone video that shows the amount of boat traffic on the Lake of the Ozarks on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
"It definitely seems like more (traffic) than last year," he said. "It seems like everyone is having the same idea, to come to the lake to enjoy summer, because you can social distance at the same time."
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