Despite pandemic, US beaches, parks full on weekend

In South Carolina, USA dozens of boats took part in a Make America Great Again parade off Charleston as the country celebrated Memorial Day amid the pandemic COVID-19. Officials had warned against such large gatherings. (Photo/Getty Images)

Beaches and Parks across the United States, the country with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths and infections were filled with people as the country welcomed the Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day - an annual holiday held on the last Monday of May - honors all those who have died serving in the US military. It marks the unofficial start of summer.

The advice of experts and medical professionals were ignored as many thousands flocked outdoors, prompting warnings from experts about people disregarding the social-distancing rules.

The outbreak in the US has killed nearly 100,000 people and infected 1,626,000. As all 50 states in the country begin to ease restrictions, experts have warned citizens to stay vigilant and continue to take precautions to avoid a resurgence of the virus.

However, on different holiday locations across the country, the pictures told another story. Beaches in the southern state of Florida over the weekend were overcrowded. Authorities were left exasperated as they tried to make sure people kept their distance from others.

In the state of Missouri, people packed bars and restaurants at the Lake of the Ozarks, a vacation hot spot.

In Florida's Tampa area, the crowds were so big that authorities closed parking lots because they were full, the Associated Press reports.

In New Jersey, USA some beachgoers braved the cold weather after state beaches were opened - albeit with some restrictions as the country celebrated Memorial Day amid the pandemic COVID-19. Officials had warned against such large gatherings. (Photo/Getty Images)

Experts warn of the critical situation in the US

Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House COVID-19 taskforce speaking on a TV show, said she was "very concerned" about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend.

"We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical. And if you can't social distance and you're outside, you must wear a mask," she said on ABC's This Week program.

The US is expected to surpass the 100,000 coronavirus death mark in the next few days.

The New York Times marked the grim milestone by devoting Sunday's entire front page to a list of 1,000 names of those who have died in the US. The headline: "An Incalculable Loss".

President Trump ignores masks and precautions

The scenes of the Memorial Day comes not long after the President of the US himself, ignored warnings and safety precautions as he chose not to wear a face mask during his tour of a Ford manufacturing plant in Michigan, despite a company policy that required him to do so.

The president claimed he had worn a mask “in the back area” of the plant, something the company confirmed, but he said he did not want to give reporters “the pleasure” of seeing him wear it.

Donald Trump holds a protective face mask with a presidential seal on it that he said he had been wearing earlier in his tour. (Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters)

The move has led some public figures to request the President to refrain from visiting their districts or cities.

Baltimore’s mayor was one such official. The mayor asked Trump to reconsider his planned trip to the city, which is still under a stay-at-home order.

“I wish that the president, as our nation’s leader, would set a positive example and not travel during this holiday weekend.” Democratic mayor Bernard Young said.

A spokesman for the president said he would not change his plans.

Source: Aljazeera, The Guardian, and BBC