On the rare occasions when I venture out for groceries or to pick up medications, I often find myself among the few wearing a mask. Those without masks tend to either ignore my presence or look at me as if I’m out of place (ba-dum tss!), while the few fellow mask wearers offer a reassuring nod of solidarity. It’s a small comfort to know I’m not the only one who cares about public health and understands scientific research.
However, such encounters are becoming increasingly rare, as mask use in Florida has plummeted. People gather freely, attending crowded events and hosting parties, even as local hospitals are forced to set up tents outside to handle the overflow of emergency cases. Just last week, AdventHealth, one of the largest hospital networks in Central Florida, declared a “code black,” indicating that they would need to postpone all elective surgeries due to the influx of COVID-19 patients. Many hospitals are following suit, issuing similar announcements.
At a recent school board meeting in my area, a large group of anti-mask advocates caused such a commotion that the board had to take a recess, escorted by police officers. When the meeting resumed, numerous individuals took turns at the microphone, urging the board against enforcing mask mandates. Their claims ranged from COVID-19 being a hoax to the assertion that masking children constitutes child abuse. One woman, donning an American flag cap and lacking any children in the district, attempted to quote the Constitution but mistakenly referenced the Declaration of Independence instead.
This is Florida.
A New COVID Variant: B.1.621
It’s hardly surprising that Florida is experiencing a rise in a new COVID variant. First identified in Colombia, this variant has been increasingly detected in South Florida. According to a report by WPLG in Miami, Carlos Migoya, the CEO of Jackson Health System, noted that this variant currently constitutes about 10% of incoming COVID-19 patients. While the Delta variant remains the predominant strain, the emergence of this new one, currently referred to as B.1.621, is concerning. Every mutation of the COVID-19 virus poses a risk of reduced vaccine efficacy, making it crucial to vaccinate as many people as possible swiftly to safeguard against severe illness and to ensure hospitals can adequately care for patients.
First detected in January, this new variant has also made its way to the UK, with all cases stemming from international travel, which is to be expected. On a hopeful note, UK health authorities recently stated that the Colombian variant does not appear to lead to more severe illness nor does it show increased resistance to existing vaccines. Nevertheless, continued testing and monitoring are essential. The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled this variant as “of interest,” although it emphasizes the need for more data.
Concentrated Almost Entirely in Florida
As of July 17, this new COVID variant represents just over 2.1% of total coronavirus cases in the United States, according to Professor John Sellick from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. However, in South Florida, where the variant is concentrated, it accounts for around 10% of cases.
Sellick stated, “The only time it becomes important is if it gives the virus selective advantage, which we’ve seen with the delta variant.” He explained that the upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this new variant will gain traction, as the Delta variant increased from about 10% to over 80% of cases in just a few weeks.
The Importance of Vaccination and Other Measures
Preeti N. Malani, chief health officer and a professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan, stressed that variants can spread rapidly, especially in unvaccinated populations and among travelers in large gatherings. “If you have a lot of unvaccinated people gathering and then they’re going back home, you could see very rapid transmission in a few weeks,” Malani noted.
Currently, what worries me more than this new variant is the alarming indifference displayed by many Floridians towards the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Anti-vaccine and COVID-denial narratives often overlook the long-term consequences of severe COVID-19 infections, including potential lung, heart, and brain damage. Recovery from this virus is not akin to bouncing back from a simple cold. It’s frightening that so many individuals refuse to acknowledge this reality, believing that wearing a mask or getting vaccinated is more dangerous than contracting COVID-19 itself.
I have concerns about these new variants, but I am even more alarmed by the persistent willful ignorance among many in this state and across the country.
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Summary:
A new COVID variant, B.1.621, is emerging in Florida, now accounting for about 10% of cases in South Florida. While the Delta variant remains the dominant strain, there are concerns about the implications of this new variant, especially regarding vaccine effectiveness. The situation is complicated by a significant portion of the population’s indifference to rising COVID-19 cases and ongoing debates about mask mandates. As the pandemic evolves, public health measures and vaccination efforts remain critical.