Locals living on the edge, ignoring social distancing and stay at home orders

COVID-19 cases in Yuma County increasing daily

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - We’re on the cusp of summer, triple-digit temperatures are creeping up, but stay at home orders are still in place.

However, beneath the ocean to ocean bridge, people are wading in the water, shirts off, no masks, and definitely not social distancing.

A local father said, “I don’t wear a mask unless I’m going to the grocery store.”

On this particular evening, News 11 counted several dozen people basking in the sun, having a day out on the Colorado River.

The majority were young people who refuse to be couped up in the house.

“I’ve always grown up playing outside that’s just who I am. All of a sudden you got to were masks. There are germs everywhere. When the coronavirus is gone are you going to continue wearing masks?” said another local.

Despite popular belief, county data shows the majority of COVID-19 cases in Yuma are between the ages of 20 to 44.

A local responding, “That’s crazy. That’s sad you don’t want to get sick, but you really don’t know when you’re going to get sick, you really just don’t know. Today you can be here, tomorrow you may not.”

Tuesday, Yuma County had its largest single-day increase in cases.

But by the looks of Gateway Park's packed parking lot on Tuesday evening, its a risk some locals are willing to take.