The coronavirus has caused major life disruptions. But despite all that, earlier this month the Miami gay festival was held. Many thousands of gay people attended the grand annual event.

It was completed on 10 March 2020 and now several people have turned positive for the coronavirus infection.

Many attendees of the Miami gay festival test positive for coronavirus

Despite the fears of the coronavirus which caused people to have social distancing, the Miami gay festival was held. It ended on 10 March 2020 but in the week after it, many of the attendees tested positive for the coronavirus, the festival organizers have disclosed. The National LGBTQ Task Force had organized the festival. It’s executive director, Rea Carey stated:

“We know there are many places people could have been exposed before and after Winter Party as this virus has developed, but we wanted to make this information public as soon as possible,”

Rea continued:

“The health and safety of anyone who participates in any Task Force event are of great importance to us.”

About the gay festival of Miami

The festival is The Winter Party Festival and it is an annual, week-long LGBTQ event held in Miami. It began on 4 March 2020 and throughout the week, around 10k people attended.

This was before the current trend of event cancelations. During the festival, there were sporting leagues and tech conferences. Rea also stated that according to the information available at that time, the event organizers had made the most informed decision.

Additionally, the organizers took proper precautions during the festival. They distributed hygiene information and more than 10k bottles of hand sanitizers to the attendees. None of the attendees had any symptoms suggestive of coronavirus infection during their time at the festival.

But the fact is that the virus can spread even before the symptoms arise. The incubation period of the infection could be as small as a day to as long as 14 days. But the average is around 5 days according to WHO.

The National LGBTQ Task Force has not released the exact numbers of people testing positive, but Rea stated that many were unable to get the test done. Rea said:

“We are monitoring the situation but the real story here is that millions of people across the country would like to get tested and the government has not done its job to make testing available,”

“We hope that as people do get tested, they contact those with whom they have been in direct contact with and seek medical attention if necessary.”

The coronavirus situation in the USA

The USA is getting an increasing number of COVID-19 cases. As the figures rise, one by one, states are issuing orders to avoid gathering people in one place. Washington DC has banned a crowd of more than 250 people.

New York City has similarly stated that there should not be any gathering where the number of people likely to come will be more than 500. And now, President Donald Trump has issued a new guideline in which more than 10 people should not gather in one place!

Source: NBC News