The global livestreaming service Twitch streamer Kai Cenat was recently taken into custody after hosting a chaotic giveaway at New York City’s Union Square. The incident started when Cenat gathered a large crowd of people around him for a giveaway stream in which people could win various video game prizes and other goods.
The giveaway stream quickly escalated into chaos as what looked like several hundred people gathered around Cenat to take part in the event. Reports indicated that many of the participants of the giveaway did not follow social distancing guidelines, and many were also seen pushing and shoving each other as they competed for the prizes.
Shortly after the chaos began, the police arrived on the scene and arrested Cenat while dispersing the crowd. It is unclear what charges Cenat faces, but it is likely that he will be charged with failure to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The incident highlights the growing popularity of live streaming, which has become an increasingly important part of the entertainment industry. To this date, entities like Twitch and other social media platforms have not adequately addressed the issue of streamers hosting large giveaways or events which could potentially increase the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Although Cenat’s actions were undeniably irresponsible, it is likely that he did not anticipate the massive response from his audience. Until streaming platforms take more initiative to enforce social-distancing guidelines, events like these will likely continue to be a problem. For now, it is important to remind everyone to practice social distancing while engaging in activities and events that involve large crowds.
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