Lawyer dressed as Grim Reaper stalks Florida beaches to protest reopening

Daniel Uhlfelder thinks restrictions have been lifted too early 

Rory Sullivan
Saturday 02 May 2020 12:35 BST
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Florida lawyer goes to the beach dressed as the grim reaper to protest re-opening

An American lawyer has started travelling to beaches in Florida dressed as the Grim Reaper to protest against their reopening.

Daniel Uhlfelder, an attorney who lives in Walton County, Florida, began touring his home state on Friday with his black robe and scythe to warn people to stay at home.

He believes that beaches have reopened too soon and that they pose a health risk during the pandemic.

In a tweet on Friday, Mr Uhlfelder said: “Today I began touring Florida as the Grim Reaper to remind Floridians of the importance that we stay home and protect one another. This is just the beginning.”

It comes after thousands of people rushed to the beach in Jacksonville, Florida, last month when the mayor announced an easing of restrictions.

Mr Uhlfelder visited beaches in Walton County which have opened ahead of Florida’s planned reopening on 4 May, when restaurants and retail spaces will be allowed to reopen at 25 per cent capacity.

The attorney told CNN that the beaches he saw on Friday were “very crowded”.

"I know how beautiful and attractive our beaches are. But if we don't take measures to control things, this virus is going to get really, really out of control," he added.

As part of his campaign, the lawyer also hopes to raise $20,000 for Democrats running for Congress.

Elsewhere, police in the UK are trying to locate a person in Norwich who has been seen walking around dressed as a plague doctor.

Norfolk Police said they wanted to speak to the individual and give them “words of advice” about how wearing the costume in public might affect people in the local area.

In 17th century Europe, a plague doctor who treated patients would wear a black gown and a beaked mask.

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