Some Florida seniors appear to be undeterred by fears of contracting Covid-19 at their state’s casinos.
On June 15, Florida health officials noted that the state had a record 2,783 cases. But it hasn’t stopped many in the most vulnerable age bracket from visiting their favorite gaming halls.
One senior, a 71-year-old man on his second trip to the Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach since it reopened, told CDC Gaming Reports: “There’s also the risk of dying at home alone. They have good precautions here.” He added, “I’ll probably play for a couple of hours. It’s not as busy as other casinos in Broward (County) and I don’t talk to anybody.”
Others are visiting locations that offer horse racing simulcasts. One such player said, “Of course I have some concerns, but I wanted to get out of my house. The casino was open, and I like to play the horses.”
Despite health officials’ warnings, people in this age group are resuming leisure activities such as golfing, dining and visiting casinos, and apparently sparking new highs in infections.
When players visit the Big Easy, they’re greeted by signings warning them to maintain social distancing of six feet or more and to wear masks. They also must submit to having their temperature scanned.
It’s hard to maintain social distancing in the Big Easy’s poker room, where each table hosts up to six players who really couldn’t be sitting closer.
Health officials say people in the vulnerable age group should act as though everyone they meet might be infected and to take the appropriate precautions. Florida physician William Haseltine declared, “It’s possible to have a life that is not completely restricted, but you have to be extraordinarily careful.”
