Steel Panther perform three packed shows to mostly maskless crowds in Florida
The shows come as the US experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases
Photo: Andrea Friedrich / Redferns
Steel Panther have performed a trio of in-person concerts in Florida to packed crowds as COVID-19 cases in the US surged in the past week.
According to video footage and photos shared on social media by attendees, most in the crowd weren’t wearing masks or practising social distancing, ignoring safety guidelines put in place by the venue, reports MetalSucks.
The three shows took place at the Ace Cafe in Orlando last Thursday (17 December), Jannus Live in St. Petersburg on Friday (18 December) and The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon in Fort Myers on Saturday (19 December).
Steel Panther Played Three Packed Live Shows in Florida This Weekend to Maskless Audiences https://t.co/Mmlfz0nvKD
— MetalSucks (@metalsucks) December 21, 2020
A tweet from music journalist Mitch Lafon, sent to him by an attendee, showed the density of the mostly-unmasked crowd at the Ace Cafe show on 17 December.
Steel Panther in Orlando Florida last night. pic.twitter.com/LniXP1kmkW
— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) December 19, 2020
A total estimated 1.21 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in Florida, with 20,976 deaths as of yesterday (21 December).
The number of coronavirus cases nationwide has climbed as the holiday season approaches, averaging 219,000 new cases per day, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
With over 18 million cases reported, the US still leads globally in total number of COVID-19 cases. Almost 320,000 people in the US have lost their lives to the virus.
These Steel Panther’s shows aren’t the first in the US that have ignored health and safety guidelines for COVID-19.
In August, Smash Mouth drew thousands to a motorcycle rally in South Dakota, which a team of Californian researchers have suggested to be the source of a COVID-19 “super spreader” and responsible for over 250,000 new cases.
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