Story by: David Wingo
The Atlanta airport is the busiest airport in the world, and it is at its busiest during holiday seasons. Spring break is no exception, as Hartsfield-Jackson reportedly had around 160,000 passengers pass through the airport on Sunday.
This is still down from the airport's typical pre-pandemic numbers, which were around 300,000 passengers a day, but this was still the most traffic the airport has seen in a day since this time last year.
The increased influx of passengers is a result of many people's outlook on COVID-19. With the availability of multiple vaccines, the infection rate and death rate of the virus are slowing and people want to escape the dreariness of living in a pandemic.
Many people, especially college students, are ignoring the risk of another possible infection wave, to have fun and spend time with friends and family over break. With so many open businesses, bars, and restaurants across the city, Atlanta has become a destination spot for many spring breakers.
This influx of people has a likelihood of increasing infection rates in the area. With Georgia being a state that does not have a mandatory mask mandate, the chances of the virus spreading this week are increased.
Even though people may be flocking to Atlanta in large numbers over the next few weeks, it may not have to be a bad thing. The CDC gives several ways to protect yourself and the community. One of the most important things is to get vaccinated and wear a mask, but the CDC also states that social distancing 6 feet a part, avoiding crowds, washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, disinfecting areas before contact and monitoring your health regularly are effective ways to stay safe.