Vancouverites are expressing their anger and frustration on social media after a massive crowd of well over 100 people congregated on Third Beach for a drum circle.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has ordered that no more than 50 people may gather at events, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor. However, videos and pictures from the gathering show a sprawling crowd of well above 50 people.
In addition to the number of people, the videos and images show that very few people were practicing physical distancing. What's more, very few people wore face masks, if any.
In response to the images and videos, a number of locals say the people who attended the circle were selfish, while others remark that they are "stupid."
In today's briefing, Henry underscored the importance of physical distancing, and of keeping our social circles small. She mentioned that many of the new COVID-19 cases are a result of community transmission from an increase in social interactions this summer.
Have a look at some of what residents had to say on Twitter following the gathering.
The organizer of the Third Beach Drum Circles already said way back in March that things are cancelled this summer, and has repeatedly been calling for caution. This is what I mean about shitty allyship and selfishness and what it means to actually live in community.
— Lucia Lorenzi, PhD (@empathywarrior)
If you were at Third Beach yesterday, you sit down and think about your actions, in isolation.
— Christy (@christybrain)
Not only is the third beach thing embarrassing. How these kids have gentrified these drums is so irritating.
— Chris Nelson (@Nuckslife)
imagine getting covid bc u went to a drum circle at third beach
— molly (@mol__ran)
Imagine killing your mom or your little sister who just beat cancer bc u went to a mf’ing drum circle at third beach.
— Aliya K (@aliya_km)
brb gonna go party at Third Beach.
— JBrown at Home (@ThatJBrown)
If you were on Third Beach last night, your soul is empty. Your intellect is so weak you don't understand a global pandemic. And your dreams are so tiny that you would endanger your loved ones and your entire community.
— Sue to you (@susanelr)
Drum circle at Third Beach last night in Vancouver, how many of these white folks posted black squares on their Instagrams last month tho? I extend absolutely zero kindness nor calmness to this foolishness.
— Lucia Lorenzi, PhD (@empathywarrior)
I’m no physical-distancing warrior but that Third Beach drum circle is just stupid during COVID.
— Tom Zillich (@TomZillich)
Any other time?
Hell yeah.
Third Beach drum circle is fucked.
— ryan (@schaaptop)
Don't go there. (Because of COVID...)
If people in BC can’t be trusted to social distance (Third beach drum circle where everyone was packed together without masks and singing) then the province should go back in lockdown.
— Em (@corechora)
Act like children = be treated like children.
Wow! Unbelievable- a party at Third Beach during a pandemic! This is out of control. Covid is real and it does spread. Too close for comfort.
— David Lee (@DavidLeeCFP)
Do these people hate their grandparents?
— Jo. (@what842)
Do they wish their family and friends to loose jobs and businesses due to shut downs?
Do they want kids to get back to school?
........
If you know anyone who attended that party at third beach. Call their employer and let them know. If they won’t contact trace - then we’ll do it for them.
— kate (@driftink8te)
The Mass Gatherings Events Public Health Act does not apply to the presence of workers at a worksite when engaged in their work activities, or to customers in a mall or retail establishment. It also does not apply to individuals attending an episodic vending market or to individuals at a campsite, in a park or at any other outside location when not attending an event. Read HERE.Third beach dumb circle
— CEO of Summer (@iamskye)
