Coronavirus US: Photos show Americans still don’t get social distancing

New York is at the centre of the US coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from ignoring social distancing.

New York may be at the heart of the US coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t stop crowds of people blatantly ignoring social distancing rules and gathering to watch a US Navy and Air Force flyover yesterday.

Pilots from the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels teamed up for a display over the Big Apple, paying tribute to the healthcare workers fighting on the frontline against COVID-19.

The city, easily the worst impacted by the virus outbreak, has been shut down since mid-March. But despite people being urged to enjoy the display from the safety of their own homes, hundreds took to riverbanks in both New York City and New Jersey.

“Residents should observe the flyover from the safety of their home-quarantine and should refrain from travelling to see the flyover,” the Blue Angels wrote in a tweet.

“Social distancing should be practised at all times. Stay home and stay safe!”

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(2 of 2) #AmericaStrong ANNOUNCEMENT: Residents should observe the flyover from the safety of their home-quarantine and should refrain from traveling to see the flyover. Social distancing should be practiced at all times.
Stay home and stay safe!

— Blue Angels (@BlueAngels) April 27, 2020

Since the beginning of the outbreak in March, the virus has killed more New Yorkers than the September 11 terror attacks, with at least 17,000 succumbing to the disease.

Yesterday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also revealed his 12-step plan to reopening the state – but while other states around the US are already easing restrictions, he said it would take a “miracle” for New York City to meet the necessary requirements.

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It was business as usual along rivers in New York City and New Jersey. Picture: Seth Wenig/AP

Residents seemed to forget the importance of social distancing. Picture: Cindy Ord/AFP

Hundreds of people stepped out to watch the display. Picture: Bruce Bennett/AFP

The city’s lockdown officially ends on May 15, but will be extended for some regions of the state where the data suggests there’s still a problem, Mr Cuomo said.

“We have to be smart because if you are not smart, you will see that infection rate goes right back to where it was. (We) will be right back to where we were 58 days ago and nobody wants that,” he said.

New York and New Jersey aren’t the only places in the US where people are still struggling to grasp the concept of social distancing.

Harvard Professor David Sinclair shared a side-by-side comparison on Twitter earlier this week of an empty Bondi Beach in Sydney and an overcrowded Newport Beach in California.

“California and Australia have similar populations but only Australia crushed #COVID-19,” he wrote.

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California & Australia have similar populations but only Australia crushed #COVID19. New cases = 1000 vs 9 per day. While the pundits argue about the cause, see if you notice a difference between Newport & Bondi. It's a clue. pic.twitter.com/TNHbFpiqJu

— David Sinclair, PhD (@davidasinclair) April 27, 2020

“New cases = 1000 vs 9 per day. While the pundits argue about the cause, see if you notice a difference between Newport & Bondi. It’s a clue.”

California Governor Gavin Newsome admonished locals who flocked to beaches in their thousands during warm weather over the weekend, warning their behaviour could reverse progress already made.

Mr Newsome said that while the most populous state in the country is weeks away from starting to gradually lift stay-at-home orders, the beach scenes from the weekend could push back that goal.