Party’s over, kids. Lack of coronavirus fear could kill the rest of us in Florida | Editorial

We’re calling BS on the cavalier and selfish rationales: “If I die, I die.” “I’m 20 and I’ll be fine.” “Whatever!”

No, if the young ones, who have cavorted in bars, on the beach and at sweat-dripping parties get the coronavirus, they like will infect others, especially someone who truly might die — an elderly relative, even an elderly stranger, someone with chronic health problems exacerbated by the virus.

We’ve consistently called for accountability from the federal government, Florida’s elected officials, especially Gov. DeSantis, and local leaders in powering us through this pandemic.

However, if there were ever a time for South Floridians to take personal responsibility, giving a damn about themselves and the members of the community, this is it. People in every pocket of this community are facing its gravest threat in generations, but too many people have been partying like its 1999.

That puts others at grave risk.

Winter Party risky

For instance, the Ultra Music Festival, scheduled for Bayfront Park in downtown Miami this month was canceled, as it should have been. But the Winter Party Festival, a weeklong LGBTQ event that draws thousands of revelers from across the country, went on as usual, ending on May 10. Several attendees have tested positive for the coronavirus since then. Who knows how many they might have infected before their diagnosis.

It’s time to grow up, this once. It’s serious, and risky gatherings have to stop.

Both DeSantis and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez made tough and necessary decisions that will put a dent in some of the irresponsible fun. Tuesday, Gimenez signed an executive order shutting down restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other venues where crowds gather.

This goes further than the governor’s order, also announced on Tuesday, mandating that all nightclubs, bars any business that makes more than half its revenue from alcohol sales can no longer sell drinks for the next 30 days. However, bars that also sell food will be allowed to stay open and only sell food for that period. His order also cuts venues’ capacity by 50 percent and outlines seating distances.

Economic damage

It’s a delicate balancing act that acknowledges just how economically devastating the coronavirus pandemic will be — and is already.

South Florida’s most famous party cities, Miami Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, are ending all public partying and socializing of 10 people or more.

Of course, the orders can’t touch what Spring Breakers and others do in the privacy of their hotel rooms and apartments. But they need to smarten up. The new public restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus should not be dismissed.

Many young people’s behavior even caught the attention of Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus coordinator. She says that they are key to “flattening the curve” of the outbreak.

But many in the hospitality industry are stepping up in heartening ways.

The owners of iconic Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach and Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana are trying to help. Joe’s, which has 350 employees, is done for the season. Versailles and La Carreta, with 2,000 employees between them, are keeping a skeleton staff and switching to takeout and delivery.

Kudos to Steve Sawitz of Joe’s and Versailles’ Felipe Valls Jr. for announcing that they will pay employees’ salaries for up to two weeks.

That’s personal responsibility, and it’s a model worth emulating.

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 7:39 AM.