Updated at 3:52 p.m.: Revised to reflect latest figures for the new coronavirus in Texas.

Not everyone is happy about the new social-distancing rules aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some are grumbling about it on social media. Others, especially in parks or packed grocery stores, are clearly flouting the rule to keep 6 feet away from people.

In normal times, Americans are more inclined to “rugged individualism” rather than collective action. But these are hardly normal times.

What happens when a percentage of the population ignores government lockdown decrees or pleas for social distancing?

“It’s true that under normal circumstances, you’ll have a lot of people who are resistant to government dictates and control," said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University. “Under emergency conditions, those people become dangerous.”

“But if you have people who are talking about a ‘deep state,’ or socialism or a government takeover — while we’re trying to cobble together from the local level to the national level a response to an absolutely unprecedented pandemic — those people are not just foolish,” Jillson said. “They are dangerous.”

Government leaders have to “be as straightforward and direct and truthful as possible with the American public,” Jillson said. “So that the 90 percent of the public that is reasonable can rally to those instructions and bend the curve on this virus.”

This week, Dallas County and city leaders have put in place some of the strictest limitations on social gatherings, work and movement in Texas.

Despite the measures, the city received at least 853 calls about large gatherings in the past week. According to the mayor’s office Tuesday, authorities gave out 150 violation notices, which are similar to warnings before a citation is issued.

The U.S. Surgeon General warned Monday that rebels and scofflaws of social distancing put their fellow Americans at risk.

“I want America to understand — this week, it’s going to get bad,” Dr. Jerome Adams said on NBC’s Today show, denouncing those not obeying social distancing guidelines.

“This is how the spread is occurring,” Adams said.

“So we really, really need everyone to stay at home," he said. “Unfortunately we’re finding out a lot of people think this can’t happen to them.”

As of Wednesday, more than 54,000 cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, have been confirmed in the United States. Deaths from the virus have exceeded 700. Both numbers continue to increase daily.

Nearly 1,400 cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Texas, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, and 18 deaths have been attributed to the illness.

To combat the spread of the virus, Dallas County, along with other local and state governments across the country, have issued emergency decrees in recent days closing schools and nonessential businesses and greatly restricting — if not outright eliminating — social gatherings, including in-person worship services.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins speaks at a press conference updating an amended order for the COVID-19 response at the Dallas County Administration Building in Dallas on Saturday, March 21, 2020. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News) (Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)

County Judge Clay Jenkins announced the strictest limits in Texas on social gatherings, work and movement Sunday evening.

But not everybody’s keeping up social distancing.

In Dallas, a widely shared photo on the Katy Trail Facebook page last week showed dozens of people blithely walking and jogging along the popular path that runs through the Uptown and Oak Lawn neighborhoods.

“This is NOT Social Distancing,” read the post accompanying the picture.

Since then, signs have gone up reminding people to maintain a more than 6 feet of distance from others, and code officers are patrolling the trail.

Dr. Robert Haley, a UT Southwestern Medical Center epidemiologist, said he thinks that overall, people recognize the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Most people are responsible and realize the really existential nature of what’s going on here,” he said.

Born rebels

Rock musicians are born rebels — or so they would like you to think. And they are also among those hit hard by the restrictions on social gatherings.

Outdoor concerts and festivals are banned in most locations. And those restrictions weren’t sitting well with Rev. Horton Heat, a popular Dallas-based rockabilly band, which posted a livid message on its Facebook page about a week ago.

“Reverend Horton Heat is NOT cancelling ANY gigs because of COVID-19.”

The band made it clear that it wasn’t their call to cancel its gigs, and encouraged fans to “push back," in a post trumpeted on its Facebook page.

“I encourage everyone who lives in a jurisdiction where local governments are restricting rock and roll to push back,” the band said. “Write emails and call your local government agencies to remind them that we have the right to assembly. They can’t stop rock and roll!”

The post generated over 5,000 comments, inspiring both enthusiastic agreement and strong denunciations. A later Facebook post was more toned down, indicating that promoters were looking to reschedule shows at a future date.

One commenter, Amanda Rombaugh, chided the band: “I’m glad that the venues made responsible choices on your behalf since you weren’t wise enough to cancel your damned selves.

"Now, will you stay home??”

Rombaugh, reached at her Minnesota home, said she was disappointed by the band’s comments. “There is nothing ‘rock and roll’ about ignoring advice meant to keep people safe and alive.”

The band’s agent, Scott Weiss, said the band’s comment was made “very early on in the crises, before the true severity of the situation was clear,” in an emailed response to The News. "In retrospect, regardless of his personal opinions, there would not have been any venues open for the band to play, nor fans willing or able to attend, so it’s all kind of moot. "

At least one Dallas-area activist would like to see more people rebel against what he described as an unconstitutional overreach by the government.

"Make no mistake, these restrictions are very dangerous ... and, I believe, unconstitutional,” the Rev. Jeff Hood wrote in a news release to Dallas media.

Religious leaders ought to have the choice to open their doors to the sick, said Hood, a Baptist pastor and author.

Hood told The News that while public worship is important, “I’m most concerned about the church being there for those who are being overlooked in this pandemic.”

He doesn’t want the government to shut down the ability of churches to help people in need.

“If a person in need knocks on the church door, should it be illegal for a person of faith to open the door and help that person?” Hood asked. “How is it helpful for the government to restrict those things?”

Haley, the epidemiologist, said he doubts the coronavirus rebels are having much impact.

The skeptics “are making noise, but their employers are telling them not to come to work,” he said.

Dr. Robert Haley is a epidemiologist and professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a hero to Gulf War veterans.

Haley noted that on his way to work recently, Dallas North Tollway and Central Expressway had dramatically less traffic than normal.

“I think the compliance right now is astounding,” he said.

The media also has been criticized for either over-reacting to the coronavirus or, in other cases, downplaying its impact.

“My skepticism comes from the fact that the media is biased toward the negative," said Paul Pruitt, an Arlington electrician and Trump supporter whose Facebook posts reflect his criticism of the media toward Trump and the coronavirus. “So now we have mass hysteria.”

Pruitt said he’s not seeing stories in the media about all the people surviving the pandemic.

“The media has a responsibility to produce stories that depict both sides,” he said.

Pruitt likes to watch Fox News, but that network has also come under criticism for downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic — at least until the last week or so.

Mixed signals

Political leaders, meanwhile, have sent out mixed messages both nationally and locally regarding how long the social distancing measures should last.

On Sunday night, President Donald Trump tweeted he would review recommendations that have currently closed businesses and kept millions of workers at home. He said that at the end of the 15-day period, the government would make a decision about what to do.

Michael Beck wipes down push buttons with disinfectant as he cleans a DART rail train at the the transit authority's Central Rail Operating Facility on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Dallas. Due to coronavirus concerns, the once-daily regular cleaning of the trains has been increased to three times per day, with particular emphasis on high touch areas. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick agreed, saying Monday the country should go back to work, suggesting “grandparents” like him, who are at higher risk of contracting severe cases of COVID-19, should sacrifice to keep the country out of economic trouble.

“My message is that ‘Let’s get back to work. Let’s get back to living. Let’s be smart about it,’” Patrick told Fox News host Tucker Carlson. “And those of us who are 70 plus, we’ll take care of ourselves. But don’t sacrifice the country.”

In the end, it’s the average American who will determine the course of action, said Michael Grieg, professor of political science at the University of North Texas in Denton.

“My sense is that it’s really about convincing the median voter — and connecting with them,” Grieg said.

Skeptics are more likely to be persuaded by those they trust, he said.

“If your neighbors are skeptical, but others are coming around to the idea that this is serious, they can help shift the dynamics of the debate.”