Miami Beach Chaos Needs To Be Stopped

Spring breakers have jam-packed the streets of Miami Beach causing chaos. 

They’ve fought in the streets, destroyed restaurant property, gathered in groups of thousands and refused to wear masks. 

Since we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, their behavior has become a threat to public safety. On March 20 Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber set an 8 pm curfew and declared a state of emergency. 

“It feels like a rock concert, wall-to-wall people over blocks and blocks,” Gelber told CNN. “If you’re coming here to go crazy, go somewhere else. We don’t want you.”

After crowds failed to diminish, police officers fired pepper-spray balls at them. Which led some people to respond to officers by jumping on top of police cars, twerking and throwing money into the air.

Since then, more than 1,000 arrests have been made and the Miami Beach City Commission has extended the curfew to remain until April 13.

As they protested outside of City Hall on March 27, Miami Beach residents have shown they’ve had enough and want the city to handle the situation better.

City officials have tried keeping the virus under control by enforcing CDC guidelines. Yet with the state of Florida having no statewide mask mandate—a result of the pro-business stance of Republican governor Ron DeSantis—those efforts become impossible to achieve. 

Some suggest that restaurants and bars should be shut down, however, the issue is a lot greater than that. 

Spring breakers’ actions are irresponsible and selfish. Although they may be young and less likely to get extremely sick from the coronavirus, they are endangering the lives of others.

Even with a curfew in place, not being in the streets won’t stop them from partying.

They will continue to break the rules and have a party somewhere else, like in hotels.

Vacationing isn’t necessarily wrong if done responsibly while keeping others’ well-being in mind. 

It’s an absolute shame to know it’s been a year since the pandemic started and it hasn’t ended because of people who are still partying and refusing to wear masks.

Some people even get upset when you tell them to back away or wear their masks properly. 

Although following CDC guidelines and getting vaccinated may help, the pandemic won’t end until humanity puts in the effort to come together, be kinder and protect each other.

So, don’t be a jerk and do your part.