NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Video submitted to FOX 17 News purportedly shows people gathering at a Nashville skate park that was closed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and officials are calling this behavior "unacceptable."
It shows folks, appearing to range in age from adults to children, skateboarding and hanging out beyond the blocked entrance at Two Rivers Wave Park on Sunday.
This comes at Nashville is under a citywide "Safer at Home" order that has shut down non-essential businesses and all of Metro Parks playgrounds, dog parks and skate parks. Metro Parks officials say this park was closed, chained and padlocked. There are also signs up, explaining the closure.
While the world battles a health emergency, Metro Parks says there is 'no excuse' for this type of behavior.
"Many of the people in this video seem to be children and teens. We would also ask that parents emphasize to their children the importance of social distancing during this critical time and discourage this type of risky behavior. It takes everyone doing their part to flatten the curve on this virus." - Metro Parks
Metro Parks says those who witness this type of behavior should call Parks Police or MNPD at 615. 862-8600.
Mayor Cooper's office said the actions in this video are "irresponsible."
"We should enjoy the outdoors as much as we can, but everyone in our community must practice safe social distancing and observe public health directives at all times. This actions displayed in this video are irresponsible and puts lives at risk." - Nashville Mayor Spokesman
Right now, is a safer in place suggestion asking, but not requiring, people to practice social distancing. However, doctors on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 are calling on the governor and mayors across the state to implement mandated measures.
FOX 17 News' Harriet Wallace asked Metro officials their response to the video and seeing people disregarding public health guidelines.
“This is difficult for our community, we want everyone to do their best to stay at home, be safe at home, limit their errands,” Nashville health director Dr. Michael Caldwell said. “But we are also encouraging people to go outside, but we want to reinforce how important it is that we do keep that social distance.
Dr. Caldwell said with the nice weather, officials are seeing a lot of people out and about.
"And you’re right, we’re seeing, especially yesterday, that not being followed as much as we’d like it to,” Caldwell said. “I’m working with the mayor and Dr. Jahangir on ways that we can have a measured approach to keep reminding people and, if necessary, look at other additional enforcement measures so that we can make sure we stop the virus in its tracks.”
Dr. Caldwell held both arms out showing how much social distancing people should be keeping. The CDC recommends at least six feet.
“Many people don’t walk around the greenway like this, however, I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just remind people we’re all in this together and to have just a little reminder that this is what we realty are looking for,” Dr. Caldwell said. “I’d like very much that when if you see people doing this on the greenway that you receive it as a welcome gesture and not as a gesture that is in any way showing that we’re not enjoying each other’s company. Let’s try to find ways to remind each other that socially distancing is really important.”
However, it’s going to take everyone’s participation in social distancing to flatten the curse and beat this virus.
“We need everyone’s help. I went to get a coffee recently and it was a place for takeout, and I saw that they had blue X’s on where you should stand,” Dr. Caldwell said. “I think this great. We want to share these best practices, remind the community to inform us of what their ideas are so that we can share all of them and keep that virus away, flatten the curve and that we all are not going to be a vector to infect other people.”
The CDC recommends 6 feet of social distancing.
Here are the latest guidelines from the White House on coronavirus:
Health officials said these are the best ways to prevent illnesses from spreading: