One Florida mayor says ‘too many people’ coming for spring break as US health officials urge vigilance

“There’s now about the same amount of travel that happened during Thanksgiving,” he said.

Florida, a popular destination for spring break, already has crowded beaches.

“We’re seeing too much spring break activity,” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said Saturday morning. “We have a problem with too many people coming here, we have a problem with too many people coming here to let go.”

“We’re worried,” the mayor said. “It’s very difficult”.

In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer urged visitors to practice Covid-19 safety precautions.

Keep the mask on. For that:

“I think we’re letting go too soon. Because we’re talking about lifting mask warrants,” Dr. Leana Wen told CNN on Saturday. “I understand the reopening of companies. I want our companies and our schools, our churches and other institutions to reopen. We can do that if we keep the mask mandates in place.”

In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday that it removes any restrictions on events or residents and removes the mask requirement on state buildings.

But, citing concerns about variant B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the UK and is now spreading to the US, an expert said now is the “wrong time” to withdraw mandates. of masks.

“If there was ever time to put on the mask, that’s all,” National Health Institutes Director Dr. Francis Collins told MSNBC on Saturday. “All the data shows that wearing masks reduces infections, reduces mortality, although we are now seeing 50 to 60,000 cases a day … this is the time.”

Extended eligibility in some states starting Monday

But the United States still faces major challenges in getting gunfire, including the “constant supply of vaccines, the continued vacillation of the vaccine, and the rise of myths and misinformation.” , according to Walensky.

In efforts to increase the number of vaccinations, state leaders across the country are announcing expanded requirements for vaccine eligibility.

“The national supply of the vaccine remains limited, so appointments for the approximately 4.4 million Californians with these conditions or disabilities will not be immediately available to all eligible people,” state health officials said.

The Dangerous Side Effects of a Pandemic

On the one hand, there have been “worrying” declines in childhood vaccinations against other infectious diseases, Walensky said during a White House briefing on Friday.

“Punctual vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to life-threatening illnesses,” Walensky said. “During the pandemic, we saw substantial decreases in pediatrician visits and as a result, CDC orders for childhood vaccinations fell by about 11 million doses, a substantial and historic decline.”

As leaders work to get students back to school, “we certainly don’t want to find other preventable infectious outbreaks, such as measles and mumps,” Walensky said.

“When planning your child’s safe return to daycare programs or school, check with your child’s doctor to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations,” she added.

Dr. Anthony Fauci has said he is also concerned about the weight of mental health the pandemic has had on the nation.

“That’s why I want to leave behind the virological aspect of this pandemic as quickly as possible, because the long-term havoc is very multifaceted,” he told CBS on Thursday.

An expert told CNN on Saturday that it would be helpful for the U.S. to prepare for a potential increase in mental health needs by increasing access to mental health services.

“We know that 75% of adults here in the United States feel stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed,” said Riana Elyse Anderson, assistant professor of health behavior and health education at the University of Michigan. .

“We have to be willing to heal.”