This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo once again stressed the importance of social distancing, singling out New York City residents in particular for their laxness in following the guidelines and increasing fines for breaking those rules. But it isn't just Cuomo scolding people for not maintaining adequate social distance: at least one citizen has sent a drone out to remind people to stay apart and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“This is the Anti-COVID-19 Volunteer Drone Task Force," announced a drone filmed hovering over East River Park on Saturday. "Please maintain a social distance of at least six feet. Again, please maintain social distancing. Please help stop the spread of this virus. Reduce the death toll and save lives. For your own safety and your family's safety, please maintain social distancing. Thank you for your cooperation. We are all in this together."
No one in particular has come forward to claim credit for operating the drone, and the NYPD confirmed with Gothamist that they were not involved with it (although the NYPD has also been monitoring social distancing from the skies as well).
The Hill reports that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now investigating whether the unknown operator had registered the drone and has the certificate needed to fly it. The NYPD has a special task force to police drone infractions—and also a fleet of its own crime-fighting drones—but local law enforcement must defer to FAA regulations. We've reached out to the FAA for comment. It is not legal to fly drones over large parts of the city, including almost all of Manhattan.
The NYPD has been monitoring social distancing, with at least three New Yorkers arrested last week in Brooklyn for not adhering to social distancing. On Brian Lehrer last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio said one such arrest embodied the spirit of "neighborhood policing" that his administration has pursued. "This is about educating people, helping them understand the new reality, warning them if they're not following the guidance that they're actually creating a danger for themselves and others."
As has been reported throughout recent weeks, people have flocked to public parks during warm weather days, often clustering at a time when experts are begging them to avoid large crowds. The maximum social distancing fines were increased from $500 to $1,000 this week. But Cuomo stressed, "it's not really about the fine, nobody wants the money. We want the compliance."
Back in January, Chinese officials started using drones to scold people for not wearing face masks:
