Despite warnings from epidemiologists and other health experts, the Governor of Missouri has condoned the return of concerts and gatherings as early as this week.
As Billboard reports, Governor Mike Parson has given the okay for concerts to take place from this week (starting Monday, May 4) as part of the state’s Show Me Strong coronavirus recovery plan.
The news is at odds with leading US health expert and bioethicist Zeke Emanual who declared just weeks ago that the US may not see live music return until 2021. Meanwhile, California’s Governor Gain Newscom publicly declared that concerts wouldn’t resume under his watch until there is a vaccine for COVID-19.
The same wisdom has been shared by health officials in Australia, with the latest word from our Chief Health Officer being that “big music festivals” won’t return until a vaccine is developed.
That’s not stopping the state of Missouri though, which is already implementing a plan that will allow for retail stores to serve customers in-store at limited capacities and for restaurants to re-establish dine-in services while remaining socially distanced.
Large events are also back on the cards, with a spokesperson for Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services confirming to Billboard that concerts won’t be subject to the same occupancy limits as retail stores.
The Show Me Strong plan outlines that people are free to hit up a gig, go to the movies, or other similar activities, as long as “necessary precautions are taken and six feet of distance can be maintained between individuals and/or families.”
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It’s certainly a bold decision given the Missouri’s COVID-19 numbers, which the state health department places at 8,386 cases and 352 deaths as of 2pm CT on May 3rd. The site says that over 91,000 people have been tested.
How quickly concerts will return appears to be up to city mayors though. As Stereogum notes, Mayor Lyda Krewson of the City of St. Louis says she will keep a Stay Home order in place until further notice.
“We will continue to be guided by data, not dates,” she tweeted over the weekend.
This is an important reminder.
Though portions of the state will begin to slowly reopen Monday, @STLCityGov will not. While we are developing a phased approach for our own reopening, the City’s #StayHome orders remain in place.
We will continue to be guided by data, not dates. https://t.co/a1wqavqgNM
— Lyda Krewson (@LydaKrewson) May 1, 2020
