Spring break can be a perfect storm to spread variants of the coronavirus. Don’t let that happen

Spring break can be a perfect storm to spread variants of the coronavirus. Don’t let that happen

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Spring break starts for hundreds of universities this month. And the typical spring break feast can lead to countless more Americans being infected, as variants of the coronavirus threaten to overtake vaccinations.

“It’s the perfect storm,” Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

“You have variant B.1.1.7 accelerating in Florida. You have all these 20-year-old boys. None of them are going to wear masks. They are all going to drink. They are having a very close and intimate contact. And then, after all is done , they will go back to their home states and spread the B.1.1.7 variant. ”

And the director of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently gave a direct message to all Americans: “Don’t travel,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “We would really advocate not traveling now.”

Therefore, college students who have a week of freedom can help to build or destroy the next chapter of this pandemic. Here’s what you should know before you go to a party or travel to a spring break hot spot:

The B.1.1.7 strain is really contagious

Scientists are concerned about several new variants circulating in the United States. But Hotez is more concerned about the B.1.1.7 strain, which was first detected in the UK, but has now spread to at least 44 U.S. states.
Research shows that, in the United States, the variant is 59% to 74% more transmissible than the original new coronavirus.

“Florida has the highest percentage of variant B.1.1.7 in the United Kingdom,” said Hotez. “Spring break in Florida could spell disaster for the country.”

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Other states with popular beaches could also become launching pad for new outbreaks – especially Texas and Mississippi, where governors have withdrawn a mask order or will do so soon.

“Many (students) will also go to South Texas, and that is also a concern,” said Hotez, who lives in Houston.

Hotez said that abandoning a mask mandate in his state will have a ripple effect across the country.

“This will speed up Covid-19 nationally,” he said.

You cannot rely on a negative test result to be sure

The test can lead to false negative results, especially if you take the test very early or late and do not strictly quarantine it before and after the test.
And yes, you can be contagious even without symptoms and with a negative test result.

Young people are definitely not immune

Although young people may be more likely to be asymptomatic when infected, it also means that they can easily spread the virus to friends and family without realizing it.

I can't get rid of Covid-19: Warnings from young survivors who still suffer

But even young, previously healthy adults experienced long-term complications with Covid-19.

In one survey, 35% of Covid-19 survivors still had symptoms two to three weeks after the tests, according to a CDC study.

In the 18 to 34 age group, 26% said they still had symptoms weeks later.
Some young people have struggled with complications months after infection, such as shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, brain fog, long-term fever, cough, loss of memory and an inability to taste or smell.

Alcohol and parties generally equate to zero protection

Attempts to physically distance yourself and wear masks usually go out the window at parties where there is alcohol.

A spring break trip led to 64 cases of coronavirus in Texas

It’s not just that drinking makes people take off their masks (if they’re wearing one). Alcohol can make people get closer to each other than normal, said Hotez.

This is especially dangerous on this spring holiday, when partygoers in popular places can not only be exposed to students from all over the country – they can also be exposed to variants or outbreaks from these parts of the country.

“So this is not the time to have an overspread event for this UK variant, which is what spring break in Florida would be like,” said Hotez.

“This is not the time to send a bunch of 20-year-olds to Florida and then send them back, spreading it across the country.”

Pandemic fatigue is real – but totally defeatable

Not celebrating spring break the way you would like it this year can seem devastating. But there will be a lot more chance of partying after everyone is vaccinated.

“The best thing to do now is to avoid long trips, unless you have been vaccinated or have recently been infected,” said Hotez. “Just try to keep a check on everything we can until we can fully vaccinate.”

Most states still require face masks to combat the spread of Covid-19

Unfortunately, the vast majority of college students have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. But there is great news on the horizon:

– If enough people are vaccinated, this will probably be the last year of major disruptions for Covid-19.

– Current vaccines “work very well” against the disturbing variant B.1.1.7, said Hotez.

– President Joe Biden said recently that an increase in supply means that there may be enough vaccine for all American adults by the end of May.

– The faster we vaccinate and keep Covid-19 under control, the faster we can return to normal life.

“I know it’s frustrating,” said Hotez. “But try to maximize social distance and masks, and this could be the last spring break you’ll have to give up on.”

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