'I'm not gonna let it stop me from partying': Spring breakers slammed for refusing to self-isolate on Florida trip

People visiting Florida for Spring Break don't appear to have got the memo on social distancing.

Latest advice from Trump's government tells citizens to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, while cities such as New York and LA have gone into lockdown, closing all bars and restaurants and even schools in an effort to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

But over in Florida, where American students are flocking during the notorious party season, it seems few people are taking it at all seriously.

A CBS news broadcast interviewed young people in Florida about the impact of the pandemic, and showed them minimising the impact of getting the virus, and seeming to be much more worried about it ruining their vacation.

Choice quotes include:

"If I get Corona, I get Corona. At the end of the day, I'm not gonna let it stop me from partying."

"Whatever happens, happens."

"It's really messing up with my spring break."

"We need a refund. This virus ain't that serious."

"We're just trying to get drunk before everything closes."

While most people will recover from the virus, by not taking the necessary precautions, people could be spreading it, and infecting those more vulnerable who may be unable to self-isolate due to caring obligations, lack of support or financial pressure.

People were quick to blame "irresponsible" and "entitled" millennials, although many of the people in the video appear to be younger, including one woman who states she just turned 21, putting her firmly in the Gen Z category.

It's also worth noting that millennials have long been derided for being the most neurotic of generations, with them experiencing the highest levels of anxiety compared to their boomer parents. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it's actually those in the latter age bracket who are failing to take the health emergency seriously.

Earlier this week, aerial footage emerged of Clearwater beach, on the eastern coast of Florida – one of the most common tourism destinations for people living across th US – absolutely packed full of people both swimming in the sea and languishing on the sand sunbathing.

Local news in Florida aired the footage, which left people shocked.

Many were quick to point out that this is the perfect response to anyone (such as President Trump) who refers to this as a "Chinese virus".

Generational divides aside lots of people living in Florida wanted it known that that these people were very unlikely to be locals.

While having a vacation ruined is undoubtedly a frustrating situation, it's important to follow government advice to avoid further spread of a virus which could be potentially lethal, even if it's just a small proportion of the population.