As government officials urge people across the country to hunker down in an effort to "slow the spread," local authorities, especially in states with stay-at-home orders, have taken things to the extreme.
A woman in Pennsylvania was ticketed for taking a leisurely drive, despite the fact that she had no intention of ever getting out of her car. In California, a paddleboarder was arrested off the coast of Malibu for disobeying the state's orders. In Kentucky, judges have ordered several people who repeatedly refused to self-quarantine after coming in contact with coronavirus patients to wear ankle bracelets. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Remember also, these draconian actions are taking place as many actual criminals are being released to ostensibly contain the spread of the virus among prison populations.
Now in New York City, residents who are just trying to get some fresh air are being reminded of social distancing protocols via a drone. It does not get much more Orwellian than this.
Our dystopian future has officially arrived
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) April 6, 2020
pic.twitter.com/vsLem9c5Y0
Equipped with a loudspeaker, the drone says: "This is the Anti-COVID-19 volunteer drone task force. Please maintain a social distance of at least six feet. Again, please maintain social distancing. Please help stop the spread of this virus. For your own safety and your family's safety, please maintain social distancing. Thank you for your cooperation. We are all in this together."
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Given the announcement said it was part of a "volunteer" task force, it's unclear exactly who was behind the effort, but that doesn't make it any less creepy.
If they start dividing the country into districts... pic.twitter.com/QrEkewsr2o
— Beth Roe (@Roefam95) April 6, 2020
— mdaley41 (@MylesDaley) April 6, 2020
