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Coronavirus live updates May 20: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

May 20, 2020

Read the published article by Star Telegram Staff of Star Telegram here: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article242861846.html

Hundreds of people crammed into a warehouse in downtown Fort Worth on Friday and Saturday night to celebrate a bar director’s birthday in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Corey Mobley said he decided to have a party for his 37th birthday at the last minute and invited hundreds of his friends to the secret location. The rain on Friday night kept some people away, so he decided to have a second round on Saturday.

“I was bored and there’s nothing else to do,” he said about the parties.

 

Mobley is the director of operations and founder of Whiskey Garden’s Turtle Races, an event usually held every other Monday in which an array of turtles race to a finish line. He plans and hosts parties for the bar and throws an annual birthday party, he said. Since the bars are closed, he decided to have the warehouse parties instead.

On Friday, 300 to 400 people filled the warehouse. On Saturday, hundreds more showed up. Mobley broke open a coronavirus-themed pinata filled with mini bottles of Rumple Minze, and photos show the crowd of people packed together to take a picture.

When asked if he felt that hosting the party was irresponsible, Mobley said he had no comment. He added that he and fellow service industry workers are ready to go back to work, and he is glad Gov. Greg Abbott is reopening businesses. Bars can reopen this Friday at 25% capacity.

“I feel like your body is going to be stronger if you’re out around people and — I don’t know,” Mobley said. “I don’t want to get into this politics stuff. I didn’t really think about it.”

MANY more topics of COVID-19 impact covered in this article at: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article242861846.html