How not to do this
Thousands of Maryland college students returned to class on Monday after a brief mid-semester respite. Some schools skipped spring break entirely, while others have breaks scheduled for later in the season. We have no problem with that; we all need a getaway now and again.
We do have a problem, however, with young adults treating their deserved vacations like a rock concert gone bad and failing to maintain social distance or wear masks, like occurred in Miami Beach over the weekend, leading to an emergency curfew and police intervention to try to disperse the massive crowds.
This was all so predictable, beginning with the choice by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to not only lift restrictions, but prevent local governments from imposing mask mandates. If anyone was champing at the bit for the pandemic to be over (beyond Florida businesses that profit off spring break), it’s 18- to 22-yearolds, who already feel invulnerable and are looking for a good time. Expecting them to dutifully pick up a mask from a roving public beach mask ambassador and to keep far away from fellow vacationers without requiring it is like expecting cats to voluntarily agree not to jump up on the counter or knock over standing objects. Sure, you can train them, but you are fighting a powerful instinct. Better to limit opportunities to make bad choices.
The problem here is not just spring break. No, the underlying issue continues to be the public’s covid-19 fatigue and the desire to let our collective guard down as the nation makes progress in vaccinations. Florida spring break is just the most visible sign of this concerning trend.
As Dr. Anthony Fauci and other public health experts have stated repeatedly: This is not let the moment to lift vital safety measures. The U.S. recently hit the 100 million mark in total vaccinations administered. That’s great. It’s ahead of the schedule President Joe Biden set. As of this past weekend, an estimated 41 million Americans are now regarded as fully vaccinated, which is a lot, but in a nation of 328 million, it’s not close to herd immunity. That achievement is probably months away, particularly if certain individuals resist getting their shots.
It is all very well to relax certain restrictions where appropriate. As teachers are vaccinated and schools move ahead with responsible reopening plans, in-person instruction is sensible, particularly given its own public health benefits. But lifting mask restrictions isn’t—despite the claim that individuals can make responsible choices.
That’s not a fun message. But this is a serious business.
Sorry, but the moment to celebrate the end of the pandemic has not yet arrived.