A video went viral showing a large group of people gathering at a crowded party at a Chicago residence over the weekend.
Facebook user Tink Purcell recorded and shared the video showing young people standing shoulder-to-shoulder inside of a two-story home, despite the stay-at-home orders mandated around the U.S.
Police, who have been busy breaking up parties throughout the city, are aware of the video but cannot locate the residence.
A press conference was held on Sunday by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reinstate that Chicagoans are still under the statewide mandate to stay-at-home and practice social distancing until further notice.
“I would suggest that all of those people have violated not only the intention of the order that we’ve put out but also the trust of their friends and family,” Pritzker said. “I want to remind everyone that standing together, not social distancing, many people not wearing masks, you’re literally putting everyone around you in danger.”
As other states lift or relax their stay-at-home restrictions, more and more people are documenting their freedom on social media. Of course, this has an impact on those who are still stuck in the house and are experiencing cabin fever.
In Los Angeles county, the wealthier areas, such as Manhattan Beach and the OC, look like people are vacationing. Families are riding bikes, walking dogs, enjoying the beaches as if it was just another hot weekend.
It would be different if all states were unified and there was one goal date in mind when the entire U.S. could relax the order. But, the city-to-city, state-to-state rollout of opening back up appears to be just a selfish exploitation of power and money that others are starting to resent.
“I know this is a very difficult time for Chicagoans, but there is a reason we are asking you to stay home and socially distance, it saves lives,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Twitter. “While most Chicagoans are doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, reckless actions like these threaten our public health and risk erasing the progress we have made. We will hold those responsible accountable.”
The state has a confirmed 43,903 cases of COVID-19, with 1,933 deaths recorded. Illinois will be under stay-at-home orders until May 30.
