After all -- "it's the economy, Stupid" is Rule #1 in politics now. Or, should I say, UNTIL NOW.
DesiriousOfChange ...
Yes, the same thing appears to be happening now in New Orleans after Mardi Gras. With people coming in from other states and from all over the world, they wanted to keep it going. As you mention, the almighty dollar is/was driving the bus.
Now some are saying that New Orleans will be the next epicenter of the virus. Louisiana appears to be getting screwed.
Plus, our Governor here in Florida (Repub. Ron DeSantis, who does at least generally sound intelligent) allowed the beaches in the State to remain open with 10's of thousands of hormone-driven spring breakers on the beaches and hotels from all over the country (and many from other countries). It's pretty obvious, cramming 8 or 10 spring breakers into a hotel room designed for a maximum or 4 is not conducive to the "6 foot rule." And obviously, the hormone thing should be obvious to most with who's doing what to who.
Obviously, the hotel and hospitality industry were pushing to keep things open.
Rub a Dub