At Robinson Island in Orange Beach, dozens of boats were lined up on the shore this weekend with people walking from vessel to vessel. Others lounged in large groups on the sand. Some in groups of more than 10. It was the same scene at Hippie Beach off Dog River and Gravine Island in Mobile Bay.

And Gulf State Park Pier was also open over the weekend, bringing hundreds of people together on the narrow boardwalk.

While three quarters of Americans are now on lockdown, including shelter-in-place restrictions in Birmingham, much of south Alabama appears to be mostly carrying on as if very little has changed. Even as the numbers of those infected by coronavirus continue to surge, reaching over 900 in Alabama.

One local doctor believes south Alabamians are yet to take the virus seriously.

“If our state has been at the bottom of the nation for testing and south Alabama is a weak area of testing in the state, then citizens in our area underestimate the virus,” said Dr. Christy Guepet, a Fairhope-based obstetrician-gynecologist.

“I think the people of south Alabama may have a more relaxed stance about the Covid-19 virus, when compared to other areas, because of a false sense of security that comes with minimal testing here," she said. "Maps of the US and our state, day after day, have shown minimal numbers of Covid-19 patients in south Alabama. This is the source of less vigilance, in my opinion.”

Indeed, a flyover of the coast and parts of the Mobile Delta by AL.com Saturday showed that while most main stretches of Alabama beaches are now eerily deserted, some people continue to congregate in large numbers on other beaches.

It’s been a little less than two weeks since hundreds, if not thousands, of bedraggled half-naked spring breakers were hustled off Alabama’s small but perfectly shaped coastline. They left after Governor Kay Ivey decided to shut all state beaches March 19 because of the increased threat from coronavirus.

Her order was simple.

Alabama closed all beaches “abutting the Gulf of Mexico.” Unfortunately, not all beaches in Alabama abut the coastline. There are beaches attached to islands, rivers and lakes all over state. And people haven’t been able to help themselves recently.

Gov. Ivey’s order also prohibited groups of 10 or more from congregating in public. But policing hard-to-reach beaches hasn’t been easy. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued guidance to boaters over the weekend reminding them that social distancing must be adhered to even on the water.

While life has unquestionably changed in south Alabama, the change hasn’t been as profound as in other parts of the country where strict lock down procedures are now in place.

But with schools, churches, bars and restaurants now closed, the dynamics of socializing have also changed.

Families and friends are cycling local Mobile neighborhoods most evenings and kids play with other kids in the street. Local parks are being used more than they used to. Bouncing balls and bicycle bells can be heard in normally quiet areas.

One type of socializing has been replaced by another.

6 South Alabama beaches

And while those types of small neighborhoods gatherings haven’t ruffled too many feathers, some larger gatherings certainly have caused issues.

Hundreds of people turned up at Mobile’s four hospitals Sunday night to pray and show appreciation for the important medical professionals who are on the front line of the fight against this pandemic. Attendees, who appeared to turn up with good intentions, were asked to remain in their cars and flash their lights as a show of appreciation. Unfortunately, video footage from the evening showed people outside of their cars waving, talking and socializing, as well as people embracing in prayer.

This event, which was advertised by the City of Mobile, caused an uproar on social media with people questioning the poor timing of the event.

That along with what’s going on at the beaches has upset some state leaders.

“We had a 21% increase in cases today and yesterday,” said Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth in a tweet Friday that showed an image of boats lined up near a beach. “We have to stop the spread of this virus, but can only do it with everyone’s help. Please practice social distancing and stay 6 feet away from others.”

South Alabama appears to be a long way from enacting the same severe lock down that was last seen 102 years ago when Spanish Flu tore through communities all across the country. Churches and schools were shuttered to slow the spread. These were considered sensible measures, even during a period in U.S. history when attending church was more prevalent and socially expected in day-to-day life.

On Tuesday morning Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson stopped short of a lock down and reiterated his request that people avoid large gatherings while also adding that Mobile’s hospitals were about 50 percent capacity.

His plea was echoed by Governor Ivey who also stopped short of a statewide shelter-in-place order, instead urging Alabamians to stay home and “avoid interacting with others as much as possible.”