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The Grim Reaper being interviewed from a scorching Florida beach might be the weirdest moment of 2020

The Grim Reaper being interviewed from a scorching Florida beach might be the weirdest moment of 2020

Another day, another scene that’d be almost impossible to explain to anyone just a few short months ago.

Now the “Grim Reaper” has been interviewed on TV after he shocked beachgoers in northwest Florida hoping to take advantage of newly-opened beaches.

Florida-based lawyer Daniel Uhlfelder is dressing up as the recognisable symbol of death to protest the re-opening of Florida’s beaches. He said that opening beaches too soon is a mistake that'll cost lives. Uhlfelder has been fighting for months to keep Florida’s beaches public.

In March, as coronavirus began spread, he showed up at Governor Ron DeSantis’ home to urge him to close the beaches. When that didn’t work, he sued DeSantis, which didn’t work either.

So now, Uhlfelder is haunting Florida’s scorching beaches and begging people to stay home.

And seeing him on TV being interviewed about his protest might be the strangest moment of the pandemic so far.

Uhlfelder told USA TODAY:

We have to take this into our own hands, unfortunately, because our leaders aren't doing the right thing.

This is a way in which I can convey the message that this virus is a deadly virus and that we need to think about this and take some time before we jump into these types of things. 

This is a symbol of how serious this situation is.

It's strange times when the Grim Reaper is being more helpful during a pandemic than the president of the United States.

Trump, on the other hand, has suggested bleach as a potential coronavirus cure (which led to two men being hospitalised)

He also touted a Malaria drug as a cure without evidence (which resulted in a death).

And he encouraged gun-toting anti-lockdown protesters.

But Florida needs all the help it can get...

Florida enters the first phase of its reopening on 4 May. It has over 1,200 deaths and more than 33,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 so far. It has been the centre of several viral moments during the pandemic, with Spring Breakers refusing to let social distancing stop them from partying (and then tested positive, who could have predicted that?) and images of packed beaches.

On 21 April, Uhlfelder tweeted he was willing to travel to Florida beaches in a Grim Reaper costume. That tweet has been liked more than 63,000 times and retweeted more than 23,000 times. So we can see why he’s made good on his promise.

Oh, and if you’re worried about the scythe, don't be! He insists his protest is strictly peaceful and it’s not sharp. So that’s good.

Grim Reaper for president?

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