COVID-Safe Traveling — Elliott Mag

Spring break, as I'm sure we can all agree, is the best part of the school year. It marks the beginning of the end of a mentally taxing year, especially in the world of COVID, and provides a much-needed break from the stress, especially for college students. College ‘spring breakers’ have been known to go all out: partying and traveling to enjoy their much-deserved time off and to utilize their newfound freedom and independence. Seeing that it is the perfect time to travel and enjoy yourself, why not splurge on your dream vacation? Collectively students in the United States spend an average of 1 billion dollars annually on spring break festivities and between 1.5 and 2 million students travel for spring break. While it is obviously very fun and an excuse to go all out, spring break also allows a mental getaway for hardworking students. Everyone could use a nice vacation or even just a break every once in a while, especially after the very difficult year we’ve all had grappling with the pandemic and every misfortune that has come with it.

COVID rates spiked in late December through early January with holiday travel, but have since lowered significantly, undoubtedly due to the wide distribution of the vaccine, as well as the influx of natural antibodies. As of April 5, 18.5% of American citizens are fully vaccinated, which is over 61 million. Although these numbers are becoming more promising, many people believe that these improvements are an excuse to stop taking the proper precautions to halt the further spread of this dreadful disease. In Miami, particularly over the past few weeks, hundreds of people have been pictured grouped closely together with no masks insight, showing no regard for the social distancing mandate put in place. The state of Florida declared that individuals should refrain from social gatherings of more than 50 people—a statement that has been so obviously overlooked by many destination travelers as well as Florida residents. What these people may not realize is the fact that they could be harming others, not only themselves. Many restaurants and public places around the country have reopened and travel has been fully reinstated, and seeing that there are many more opportunities to spread the virus, we must prioritize the safety of others. The following is a list of a few of the things you can easily do to create a safer space for those around you and prevent further COVID spread.

1. Wear your mask at all times

I know, this one’s a shocker. Wearing a mask in public is the easiest possible way to limit the spread. We all know we must wear a mask, but some do not know why: we wear masks over our mouths and noses to contain and deflect respiratory droplets from transmitting from one person to another, just as you would not cough near someone if you had a cold. And because you never know who is around you and where they have been, wearing a mask keeps yourself and those around you safe. As I’m sure we all remember, the beginning of quarantine was no fun whatsoever, so think of these simple precautions as a way to keep you from returning to that dreadful time.

2. Stay around your friends

Try to limit who you are around. The best possible solution is to stay alone or with immediate family, but everyone is aware of how difficult that has been due to the mental strain that comes with being cut off from the rest of the world. So, rather than being alone or being completely out in the world, meet in the middle and stick with a small and select group of your people.

3. Follow individual establishment’s guidelines

This might seem like an obvious statement, but for some, this proves quite difficult. Although there is no mask mandate in the state of Georgia, individual businesses and restaurants have every right to require masks on their property just as they have every right to deny anyone service. Arguing with employees or owners will not change the rules set in their establishment, so simply comply with their guidelines and be on your way.

4. Wash your hands!

As I’m sure you now agree, there are many ways to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in your community, especially during a time when everyone is out and about and trying to enjoy themselves by throwing caution to the wind. We discussed how much we all love spring break right? Well now think about summer. Think about how many more opportunities everyone could have for travel and a good time if we take the proper precautions now to combat catching or spreading the virus. Personally, and I’m sure we all agree, I miss concerts and crowds. I miss hugging new people when you’re introduced to them and accidentally brushing shoulders with strangers. But mostly, I miss smiling at people. It spreads a bright indescribable feeling, and the world seems much darker without it. So let's all do everything we can to get back the smiles and the light that filled the world before COVID-19.