This time, we cannot blame the usual suspects such as: Fox, OAN, Fake News ‘channels,’ or right wing blogs for this bogus claim. Mainstream media, such as the Orange County Register and ABC 7 claimed that once California re-opens its amusement parks, screaming on roller coasters would be banned. ‘CBS LA, USA Today and other publications worldwide reported the story in a similar way, suggesting that shouting and screaming would be prohibited to reduce the risk of airborne particles infecting other customers.’ (Newsweek)
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland may need to add new warning signs at the entrances to their roller coasters and thrill rides when the California theme parks finally reopen: No screaming.
You read that right. A roller coaster tradition as old as thrill rides themselves could go silent in California with the introduction of proposed statewide COVID-19 theme park guidelines that would bring an end to one of the most iconic midway sounds: Screaming.
OCR:
Of course, wing nuts have run with this false claim, which has added fodder to those who ‘think’ CA is some ‘Commie’ enclave or whatever the favorite label of the month is amongst the wing nut sect.
Here are the facts:
On CAPA’s website, “members of some of the largest theme parks in the state published its ‘Responsible Reopening Plan‘ as part of preparations for reopening venues while minimising the risk of COVID-19 spreading.” The plan calls for limiting activities that could cause the spread of COVID-19 such as: “singing, shouting, heavy breathing; loud environments will cause people to raise voice.”
But, the plan also offered recommendations on how to counter this: “Face covering usage and/or modifications to seat loading patterns will be required on amusement park rides to mitigate the effects of shouting. Additionally, on rides, guests generally face in one direction.” Nowhere in the plan does it say CA will ban screaming or shouting on roller coasters.
This (the above tweet) prompted a series of corrections, including this from CBSLA: “A previous version of this story indicated that theme parks may be required to ask visitors not to scream on rides. The state of California has not released any such protocols.”
USA Today wrote: “An earlier version of this story mischaracterized California Attractions and Parks Association’s recommendations to mitigate the effects of shouting on theme park rides.”
Beginning April 1st, theme parks, sports games, and outdoor events could resume at limit capacity providing the county where the event or venue is held has entered in to the state’s red tier category.
