The world has entered into year two of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. What started as an outbreak in Wuhan, China turned into a global pandemic that has left 15 million Americans infected and 284,000 Americans dead from the virus.
Celebrities such as Idris Elba, Tom Hanks, Kevin Durant, Joe Budden, Pink, Doja Cat, Jeremih, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and President Donald Trump revealed they tested positive for COVID-19 at one point. New York City rapper Fred the Godson passed away from coronavirus complications on April 23.
Those growing numbers have not stopped some people from continuing to live their lives like the pre-COVID days. For example, about 500 people reportedly attended a Trey Songz concert in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday. The establishment where the show took place apparently did not require patrons or employees to social distance or wear masks. According to multiple reports, the Aftermath nightclub was cited for violating the state’s COVID-19 health orders.
On Tuesday, Trey Songz’s name became a trending topic on Twitter as users from around the planet shared their thoughts on concertgoers choosing to forgo safety regulations to see the R&B singer perform live. As of press time, Songz has not publicly commented on the situation.
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People chancing Covid FOR TREY SONGZ?!?! Hate to see it. https://t.co/wuCJSclQnr
— Side With Benefits (@KirkWrites79) December 8, 2020
“There was very little going on as far as any attempt for social distancing. If you had taken that event and put it in 2019, it would have been pretty much the same concert, same event that was taking place last night,” said Eric Wolf, Enforcement Commander of the Ohio Investigative Unit.
Plainclothes OIU agents reportedly arrived at the venue at 9:30 pm where they discovered people not wearing face coverings, walking freely in close quarters, and sharing alcoholic beverages. The case is being referred to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission in order to decide on any potential penalties against the establishment. Aftermath could face fines and suspension or revocation of its liquor permits.
Ohio has reported more than 484,000 total coronavirus cases. Over 7,000 people in the state have died from the disease. In July, Republican Governor Mike DeWine issued a statewide mandate that required all individuals over the age of 10 to wear a mask at all indoor locations that are not a residence. DeWine also recently announced he will be extending the state’s 10 pm-5 am overnight curfew.
“We’re in a very dangerous situation, and I think we can all agree that we can’t let our hospitals get to the point where healthcare is threatened. The curfew, mask-wearing, retail inspection have helped, but they haven’t helped enough. We’ll have to do more. We don’t have a choice,” tweeted Gov. DeWine on December 4.
Today, I am announcing that @OHDeptofHealth will issue an order, effective 6:00 pm tomorrow, that will mandate wearing of face coverings in public in all counties that are designated Red Level 3 Public Health Emergency Alert. pic.twitter.com/cqbMqmajJ2
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) July 7, 2020
We're in a very dangerous situation, & I think we can all agree that we can't let our hospitals get to the point where healthcare is threatened. The curfew, mask-wearing, retail inspection have helped, but they haven't helped enough. We'll have to do more. We don't have a choice.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) December 4, 2020
Today we are reporting 9,273 new cases in Ohio.
We have 336 new hospitalizations and 40 new ICU admissions reported in the last 24 hours.
We have passed 7,000 deaths since the beginning of this pandemic, including the 63 deaths reported today. pic.twitter.com/MND0JrQVRw
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) December 7, 2020