Don't You Know There's a Corronavirus On?

This is from the Washington Post's excellent coronavirus newsletter:

"Crowds of densely packed, barefaced, droplet-swapping Americans are forming on beaches, bar patios and pool decks over the Memorial Day weekend, fulfilling the fears of health experts who warned the nationwide relaxation of restrictions would help the coronavirus spread.

The most dramatic images came from Missouri —  still in the midst of a local epidemic — where vacationers flocked to the Lake of Ozarks. “In one picture shared by news station KSDK, dozens of people could be seen crammed on an outdoor patio underneath a sign reading, ‘Please practice social distancing,’ ” The Post wrote. A nearby bar and grill advertised a pool party for hundreds of people called “Zero Ducks Given.”

Thick crowds were also spotted at beaches along the East Coast, on a weekend when American flags flew at half-staff in memory of the country's nearly 100,000 confirmed victims of the virus. In Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said a recent high school swim party contributed to the state's “second peak” of infections but still encouraged residents to venture out. “We take the virus very seriously, the governor told Fox News. “It’s a risk, it causes death, but you can’t cloister yourself at home, that is just contrary to the American spirit.”"

What is wrong with these people? Are they selfish, stupid, deliberately reckless, or all three? It's as if they live on another planet where they've never heard of COVID-19.

If they know how to read, they ought to look at today's New York Times front page listing the names of 1,000 of the 97,000 people (so far) who have died from this horrific disease. But I doubt even that would sink in at all.