What pandemic? Spring breakers crowd Florida beaches, spark fears of a new surge [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Partying college students flocked to Florida beaches, maskless and without safety precaution.
• Experts have warned that summer travels might likely lead to a new surge.
• Some states, including Texas, Mississippi and Connecticut, have already lifted pandemic restrictions, raising social issues that could worsen the COVID situation in the country.

There could be another frightful COVID surge as spring breakers flocked to Florida beaches, as if the old normal is back.

Partying college students, maskless and seemingly unmindful of social distancing, crowded sandy beaches — sparking fears as about 2,000 Americans died on Saturday.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told WSVN that he thinks “we’re expecting a larger than typical spring break.”

Some Florida beaches are closing early, following curfews that are intended to curb possible spread.

As states are working desperately to roll out vaccines as widely as possible, experts have warned against unnecessary travels.

“We understand there’s a lot of angst to get out and enjoy our beautiful weather and our beautiful beach, but we’re just asking for cooperation from our college students that do decide to come to Fort Lauderdale,” Frank Sousa, the area’s Police Assistant Interim Chief told WSVN.

Raul Aguila, Miami Beach’s city manager, said during a city council meeting that people heading to Florida “with an anything-goes party attitude” should “change your flight reservation now and go to Vegas,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

On Thursday, the COVID Tracking Project reported another 65,000 cases across the nation, with at least 1,743 death.

The overall decline seen in the past month might be pointless with the possible uptick in cases again given the influx of travelers to Florida for spring break.

Dr. Barbara Ferrer, LA County public health director, also alerted people to shun traveling as California works to hold on transmission, which can be jeopardized by spring travels leading to another surge.

“Travel increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19,” Ferrer said as reported by KCBS-TV. “To avoid this, please postpone travel and continue doing your part to slow the spread so that our recovery journey isn’t sidelined.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in his State of the State address on Tuesday: “There are not a whole lot of Floridians who are itching to move from Florida to lockdown states, but there are thousands and thousands of people who are seeking to leave the lockdowns behind for the greener pastures in Florida.”

He added that Florida, known as the Sunshine State, “now serves as a beacon of light to those who yearn for freedom.”

With many students heading to Florida for spring break and others making a permanent move, other states such as Texas and Mississippi announced they’re lifting COVID restrictions.

Texas Gov Ian Abbott and Mississippi Gov Tate Reeves announced the reversal of their mask mandates and start of full business operations.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont followed suit and said on Thursday that they would lift all COVID rules — which President Joe Biden slammed and called a “neanderthal” move.

Source: The US Sun