Hannity scolds Ozarks partygoers: ‘Could be a disaster’ for vulnerable Americans

Fox News’s Sean Hannity ripped partygoers who flaunted social distancing guidelines at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend, stating that “if they get the virus and then are in contact with older and more vulnerable Americans, that could be a disaster for others.” 

The warning from Hannity comes after videos and photos went viral on Saturday displaying hundreds of mostly young patrons at outdoor bars and yacht clubs without masks, with many standing in close proximity to each other. 

“Look, I understand these are young people,” Hannity said Tuesday night. “Experts keep saying over and over they are at a much lower risk, but if they do get this and again there is no mask wearing here that I see. Not much at all.” 

“I see no social distancing,” he continued. “But if they get the virus and then are in contact with older and more vulnerable Americans, that could be a disaster for others.”

“That’s why in the short period of time, it’s only temporary, if you can’t social distance, please wear the mask,” Hannity said. “Do it for your mom, your dad, your grandma, your grandpa.”

“But we also need to use some common sense. You need to be cautious, take precautions because we don’t want it to spread to vulnerable people. We’ve seen what happens when we do,” Hannity concluded. 

The commentary came as Missouri’s St. Louis County issued a travel advisory for the popular vacation spot on Tuesday. 

“This reckless behavior endangers countless people and risks setting us back substantially from the progress we have made in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” County Executive Sam Page said in a statement. “I encourage everyone to follow the Department of Public Health advisory to determine a safe path forward in the workplace.”

Missouri’s death toll from the coronavirus stands at 676, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

Officials in Missouri and neighboring Kansas urged those who visited the area to quarantine for two weeks, or until they tested negative for COVID-19.