HELP: Queens Kayaker Takes Social Distancing Way Too Far

NEW YORK CITY — You'll know you've taken social distancing too far when you light a fire on a beach to form the word, "HELP."

The NYPD's Special Ops team rescued a kayaker this week stranded on a remote Jamaica Bay in Queens, video shows.

"A kayaker takes social distancing to the next level," the NYPD tweeted.

The kayaker had been missing 12 hours when a police helicopter spotted his flaming rescue plea, made out of sticks he found on Jamaica Beach, according to the NYPD.

Video shows the man waving his arms in the air as the helicopter comes in for a landing.

Police did not immediately respond to Patch's request for more information.

The man was unharmed and Twitter responded with glee.

"You found Bigfoot?" asked Evan Starr.

"That never worked for Gilligan," added Onivasa. "And the skipper too."

What will happen to New York City beaches this summer remains an open question as Mayor Bill de Blasio stalls on a final decision to keep them open or shut them down.

Many New Yorkers remain concerned how the city will keep cool without public pools, movie theaters and air conditioned offices, but a highly contagious COVID-19 pandemic may push social distancing policies deep into summer.

"Big open spaces historically are where groups of people gather," de Blasio said. "We have to guard against that, we will plan to guard against that."