The spring break party could be the “perfect storm” for triggering the spread of new coronavirus variants in the United States, an expert warned.
“It’s the perfect storm,” Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told CNN.
Hotez said he fears that college children hitting the Florida party could accelerate the spread of the highly contagious variant in the UK, known as B.1.1.7.
“You have variant B.1.1.7 accelerating in Florida. You have all these 20-year-olds, ”he said.
“None of them will have masks. Everyone will drink. They have a pretty close and intimate contact. And then, once done, they will return to their home states and spread version B.1.1.7. ”
Hotez mentioned that Florida currently has the highest rate in the nation of the British version, which is believed to be transmitted up to 74% as the original strain.
“So it’s not the time to have an over-spread event for that UK variant, as the spring break in Florida would look like,” Hotez said.
“It’s not the time to send a bunch of 20-year-olds to Florida, then send them back, spread them across the country.”
Hotez said other spring destinations, such as Texas and Mississippi, could also become hot spots for the virus now that states have given up masked mandates.
“A lot of (students) will go to South Texas, and that’s a concern,” said Hotez, who added that the lack of mask rules could “accelerate COVID-19 nationwide.”
Hotez urged people to avoid traveling unless they have recently been vaccinated or infected.
“I know it’s frustrating,” Hotez said. “But try to maximize social distance and masks, and this may be the last spring break you have to give up.”