How are Americans coping?

[m0m89]

My relative is due to fly to America soon (multiple states) and we are travelling a few months later to Florida.

I just wondered how America was coping with coronavirus? Are there numbers starting to go down? Is there much resistance to masks and vaccines like the UK? Do they have a road map out like we do or are they not near yet?

I am aware it will vary from state to state but just wanted a general idea and how florida is. Will be travelling with DD1 and she is 4 so I believe she has to wear a mask so I'm a bit worried about it.

Just to note I am worried DD1 will resist wearing a mask and we will get in trouble.

What "resistance to vaccines in the UK" ? when you look at the figures for the groups who have been done/first dose the percentages taking the vaccine are very high.

I don't live there, but the case per head of population is 50% higher than the UK, but deaths per capita are 10% lower. Across the country, 43% have had at least 1 jab (50% UK), 30% have had two (UK 21%).

Of course that is a very high-level view of things, but it looks to me that as a country they are in a similar position to the UK.

If you do go, ensure your health insurance covers Covid-19!

Vaccinated people in the US can already meet indoors too.

For can see cases per state here: www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/.
By population Florida's cases are similar to when UK was on 17,000 per day, so pretty high.
Vaccinations are proceeding well and will help, Florida has given 42.3% at least one dose:
ourworldindata.org/us-states-vaccinations.

US colleagues do not ever seem to have had similar restrictions to the UK, with a lot more freedom to make their own choices. Depending on where you're going, local news sources might give you a better idea of how things are and any changes e.g. amp.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article251091004.html.

We have relatives in a few states and it varies so much state to state. Florida seems to have opened up more than the UK. Most people we know have already had the vaccine. The US has a travel ban still in place though for most tourists. They currently aren’t letting anyone in from the U.K. or Europe except US citizens and US residents.

My friend in Montana said it’s all back to normal where she is. She has had both vaccinations and doesn’t have to wear a mask or social distance. They have a very low population level in a state larger than the UK though.

My friend in Ontario, Canada though says they are in a new lockdown as cases are rising and hasn’t been offered a vaccine yet.

There’s been about a 95% uptake in vaccines in every age category in the U.K.. what blackhole are you living in OP? There is no resistance unless you read the 5% on Twitter

I have friends in Tennessee and they said things are basically back to normal, although still wearing masks in shops etc. They can eat indoors (no masks) but the waiters/Waitresses are wearing masks :)

@m0m89 How soon are you all travelling? We've no idea yet about where we can travel or what the restrictions will be. Is the USA accepting travellers from the UK? Will it be on our red, amber or green list?

How are you all travelling to the US? Thought there was a travel ban?

@Rosehip10

What "resistance to vaccines in the UK" ? when you look at the figures for the groups who have been done/first dose the percentages taking the vaccine are very high.

I live in the blackhole of Bristol where are a lot of people I know are declining vaccines and refusing masks. Obviously not my family but unfortunately some friends and wider circle.

Also to answer other questions, we are travelling in March 2022.

However my relative is travelling in September so more worried about them.

I don't think anyone can predict the Corona virus situation in Florida in 10 months' time...

Or even whether travel will be allowed to the US in September. Are they a US citizen?

81% of people over 45 have been vaccinated so far in Bristol: www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55274833.
That's fairly average, so I think it might just be your specific mates. Is there a reason why they're declining both masks and vaccines? Objecting to one or the other could be understandable, objecting to both suggests covid denial nonsense.

OP - I think you should do some research. Firstly about vaccine uptake (see previous posters) and secondly about your travel plans. At the moment you seem to be listening to your mates and asking a bunch of strangers on the internet - not the best plan.

Tell them to check the Foreign Office website. If they travel against Foreign Office advice, you travel insurance will not cover you if anything happens. As someone said States are so very different in their laws, so I would definitely seek Foreign Office advice before going to USA.

US slightly behind us on vaccination but moving fast. They have IMO a slightly more relaxed attitude to it (based on parents at my dd uni).

@AliceBlueGown

OP - I think you should do some research. Firstly about vaccine uptake (see previous posters) and secondly about your travel plans. At the moment you seem to be listening to your mates and asking a bunch of strangers on the internet - not the best plan.

Thanks for your input. I was planning on doing research nearer the time. This thread was in the hope people living in America or know people that live there would give their opinions as a general chat. I have taken covid seriously, a relative died from it and I work in health care. I am not 'listening to my mates' but unfortunately people in my circle are strong on protests or have just given up on social distancing measures due to their own mental health. Perhaps if you want to debate then take yourself to a new thread and remember the strangers on the Internet are real people so be kind.

Thank you to those for their input that saw the idea of the thread rather than basically just calling me an idiot, haha. Have a happy sunny Sunday.

I have also booked to travel in March 2022. I won’t be thinking about it at all until December when the balance of payment is due, as there are so many potential variables thinking about it now is a complete waste of time.

I'm a Brit living in NYS but was in Florida at the end of March.

The vaccination programme here is going well. People are being give their second vaccine 21/28 days after their first depending on which vaccine and vaccines are now available to anyone aged over 16. I think I saw yesterday that NY now has a 1.6% positive rate.

Day to day, we have everything open. Some places are reduced capacity indoors and you must wear your mask in shops, banks, cinemas etc Florida was very similar. We haven't had the same type of lockdown as in the UK. Masks are to be worn in restaurants until seated. I meet my friends indoors but we are all now double vaccinated. My son has been in school five days a week since September and has worn a mask daily. This hasn't been the big deal I thought it would be.

One thing to be aware of in going into shops etc, in NYS there isn't such a thing as being 'mask exempt'. If for whatever reason you can't wear a mask, then you can either get a delivery or curbside pick up. In some of the States where masks aren't mandated, certain stores like Target still require a mask to be worn.

@FrankSpencersBeret

I'm a Brit living in NYS but was in Florida at the end of March.

The vaccination programme here is going well. People are being give their second vaccine 21/28 days after their first depending on which vaccine and vaccines are now available to anyone aged over 16. I think I saw yesterday that NY now has a 1.6% positive rate.

Day to day, we have everything open. Some places are reduced capacity indoors and you must wear your mask in shops, banks, cinemas etc Florida was very similar. We haven't had the same type of lockdown as in the UK. Masks are to be worn in restaurants until seated. I meet my friends indoors but we are all now double vaccinated. My son has been in school five days a week since September and has worn a mask daily. This hasn't been the big deal I thought it would be.

One thing to be aware of in going into shops etc, in NYS there isn't such a thing as being 'mask exempt'. If for whatever reason you can't wear a mask, then you can either get a delivery or curbside pick up. In some of the States where masks aren't mandated, certain stores like Target still require a mask to be worn.

Thanks so much for all the info, that's really good to know. The vaccination programme sounds fantastic, I hope the UK catches up soon.

Florida stopped observing tight restrictions, if they ever were strict, ages ago. It's the least mask-wearing state you could imagine.

Lots of videos online of Floridians not masked up indoors in shops since autumn 2020.

My uncle entered FL in February from Italy -- no quarantine, instantly loose to do as he pleased. Similar with a nephew & other relatives who travelled there and have been living there in the period Jan-April 2021.