A swingers and alternative lifestyle convention held in New Orleans last month produced 41 positive COVID-19 cases according to organizers. The annual Naughty Nawlins had 250 attendees. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, said he’s heard all the jokes, but the event has serious consequences.
“But this is real, 41 infections out of 250 people, check my math on this but I think that’s one out of six. So, when we ask people to maintain social distance when we ask people to obey the health guidelines, there is a reason for that,” said Tidwell.
Event organizer Bob Hannaford said they incorporated COVID guidelines including testing and admits they neglected to social distance. Hannaford said most of the cases were asymptomatic or very mild, but one had to be hospitalized.
Tidwell says he would not wish the virus on anyone.
“This disease is extremely serious, and we know it’s extremely fatal. So that in mind this is, unfortunately, a very stark example of what can happen when you don’t obey the social distance guidelines,” said Tidwell.
Tidwell said the convention was not a permitted event and they did meet with organizers prior to the convention and discussed safety protocols.
“We’re not just saying this to hear ourselves talk, no one is imposing these guidelines arbitrarily and when those guidelines are not adhered to you see a spike in infections, you see a potential super spreader event,” said Tidwell.
The event, originally scheduled for July, normally attracts 2,000 attendees.
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