Amid backlash, bar at Lake of the Ozarks says it stands by Memorial Day weekend party

A bar at Lake of the Ozarks says it stands by the decision to host a party during Memorial Day weekend despite outrage over a lack of social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The owner of Backwater Jack’s Bar & Grill, in Osage Beach, issued a statement Tuesday after videos and images circulating online showed large groups of people disregarding public health recommendations that are meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The bar was one of the businesses featured in the videos. It hosted the “Zero Ducks Given” pool party on Saturday.

In the statement, Gary Prewitt, the bar’s owner, said no laws were broken and recited part of an earlier statement from the local sheriff that said it was “the right and responsibility of each individual” to make decisions about going out in public.

Social distancing guidelines have been set forth by the state. Over the weekend, Camden County Sheriff Tony Helms said those guidelines are not enforceable, saying, “Social distancing is not a crime and therefore the sheriff’s office has no authority to enforce actions in that regard.”...(Read more)

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