Since the reopening of a number of Florida beaches, that has been a lot of backlash.
But this week, perhaps some of the most shocking news yet has surfaced...
The global pandemic has truly turned our world upside down...
Several states have declared states of emergencies...
via: Getty
And President Trump declared a national emergency to combat the pandemic, freeing up $50 billion in federal funding and promising a screening website and drive-by tests.The majority of the country is now living in lockdown...
Things are simply getting worse...
Can we please cancel the 2 hours go out and mingle rule and just have a proper 24/7 lockdown till the end of the mo… https://t.co/m3rIc39Jik— mark248am (@mark248am)1589210396.0
The importance of self-isolation has been stressed globally...
via: Getty
And it has been proven that locking down public areas and avoiding social situations has helped reduce the chances of spreading the already out of control virus.But it seems that not everyone feels the need to abide by these suggestions here in the United States.
via: WFLA News Channel 8
Scenes at the Clearwater Beach in Florida, back in March, showed a lot of people completely disregarding these global warnings.Images from the white-sand beach showed spring breakers enjoying the sun...
via: WFLA News Channel 8
All of which seemed to be living in complete oblivion.Nothing seemed to be stopping the spring breakers...
via: Getty
And even police warnings didn't faze the revelers.Florida currently has 40,982 active cases...
via: Twitter
And 1,735 people in the state have now died, showing exactly what happens when people congregate in mass gatherings.This seemed to bring a reality check to officials...
via: Twitter
Because last month, The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce reported all sandy beaches within the city limits are to be closed at least through noon.This took immediate effect across the entire state...
@AdamCC75 Welcome to our beautiful beaches in Florida! 👵🏼❤️🇺🇸 https://t.co/XEFEPHxT8k— grandmatojosie2 (@grandmatojosie2)1587138365.0
But it seems that some things have started to change...
Some Florida beaches are reopening. Woohoo! #FridayFeeling #coronavirusupdate https://t.co/1rWnP0UPKb— Ken Haberman (@Ken Haberman)1587139537.0
This was an original goal set by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce...
via: Twitter
And this follows President Trump's announcement that states must decide themselves when to lift restrictions.Things remain far from normality.
The beaches open at 5pm FRIDAY for EXERCISE ONLY. I don’t wanna see y’all out there tonight or in the morning wit… https://t.co/F1IFhMtSN5— Anthony Austin (@Anthony Austin)1587075172.0
But what exactly do these "essential activities" include?
Curry's move means residents can go for a walk, swim, surf, run or fish, as long as they adhering to social distancing guidelines. However, sunbathing, camping overnight and gatherings of more than fifty people will be banned.Curry warned that this certainly doesn't mean things are back to normal...
Reopening will take time and be done in thoughtful measured steps. As we Open areas it is important for folks to p… https://t.co/3ZONqZambC— Lenny Curry (@Lenny Curry)1587092326.0
Naturally, many residents of Jacksonville aren't happy about this reopening...
On my side of Florida they’re opening up the beaches today and I see everybody saying they gonna come over here so… https://t.co/GB3BSKGs5n— shell☕️ (@shell☕️)1587140091.0
Many have blamed the government...
they're really opening the fucking beach back up in florida LMFKFJF THE GOVERNMENT HATES US SO BAD— nekokeko༊⁷ (@nekokeko༊⁷)1587140075.0
Others pointed out that Florida is, indeed, a hotspot for active virus cases...
The fact that Florida is opening up their beaches starting today is one of the dumbest things ever done. Especially when they are a hotspot!— ♓️ (@♓️)1587139623.0
Cocoa Beach in Florida re-opened on April 21st...
And, less than a month after, some shocking news has surfaced.Over thirteen-thousand pounds of trash was picked up at the beach last weekend alone.
my blood is boiling ! i grew up literally down the street from these exact beaches ! the ecosystem is cocoa beach i… https://t.co/IcGgrLD6eo— Ellie (@Ellie)1589210896.0
Cocoa Beach Police Department issued a statement about the issue.
"As restrictions are becoming more relaxed during this pandemic, the City of Cocoa Beach is beginning to see an influx of day-trippers to our beaches, along with piles of unlawfully discarded trash in their wake. "This will not be tolerated."According to Cocoa Beach police, officers must witness a littering offense first hand to issue a fine.
“Our community works very hard to be stewards of environmental sustainability. If I need to reallocate critical resources during our peak season to combat litterers, we are no longer asking our visitors to comply with our litter laws, we expect it, and there will be consequences for offenders," said Chief Scott Rosenfeld in a statement.It's truly shocking that so many people find it acceptable to litter like this.
Good Grief .. Beachgoers Left 13,000 Pounds of Trash on Florida's Cocoa Beach After It Reopened, if you must go to… https://t.co/FyBBM0VrXn— 𝓓𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓪 (@𝓓𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓪)1589209759.0