Despite widespread public condemnation, a crowd still gathered last night for a drum circle at Stanley Park's Third Beach, albeit a much smaller one.
Last week, a massive crowd of well over 100 people congregated on Third Beach for the weekly drum circle. In addition to the number of people, the videos and images from the gathering show that very few people practiced physical distancing. What's more, very few people wore face masks, if any.
At this week's meet-up, significantly fewer people were spotted on the beach. Further, it appears that many of them tried to practice physical distancing. With that said, not everyone wore a mask.
Third Beach drumming in #Vancouver continues with much smaller group.
— David Zura (@DavidZuraCityTV) July 29, 2020
Last week large crowds at the drum circle caught attention after images of the gathering started circulating online.
Background: https://t.co/tspT4Xyej4@CityNewsVAN @BT_Vancouver @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/FkDZ4wHzUo
Aaaaaand the drum circle is still happening @ParkBoard @VancouverPD @CityofVancouver @adriandix #thirdbeach Not as many people but still way too big! pic.twitter.com/AgplkcfwqL
— Gillian (@ocd_decorator) July 29, 2020
Core group playing music and enjoying a sunset at #thirdbeach drum circle pic.twitter.com/PPLOBvGkRf
— Meera Bains (@Meerakati) July 29, 2020
Vancouverite Brahm Olszynko runs a Facebook Group called "Brahm's Tams Official Tuesday Drum Circle" for the group that ordinarily gathers every sunny Tuesday on Stanley Park's Third Beach for a drum circle. However, he says he postponed the circle until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an email, Olszynko tells Vancouver Is Awesome that he pinned a post in the group back in March stating all drum circles were postponed until the authorities said large groups were permitted. Following his initial post, he continued to add more posts reminding people to stay safe and not go out there. Read his full interview with V.I.A. HERE.
In Monday's briefing, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said, "How will you give people the space to stay safe? Are you spending a short time together? Are the people you are with in your bubble? If you can’t say ‘yes’ to these questions, then say ‘no’ to the activity. Choose to do something else instead."
Henry added that spending time outside is far safer than being indoors. However, people should remember to keep a safe physical distance from others, no matter where you may be.
