Florida was social distancing less and less, until its summer coronavirus explosion

Florida was social distancing less and less, until its summer coronavirus explosion Analysis: Cell phone tracking data shows in-person movement leveled off starting in June. Tampa Bay Times

Floridians have hit a new plateau — in how much they’re going out.

In March, society came to a halt when the outbreak of the new coronavirus forced businesses and schools to close and led people nationwide to stay at home.

But, like most Americans, many people in Florida changed their patterns after about a month of lockdown.

People in the state began leaving home more and more. We know about this behavioral change because private companies tracked the locations of cell phones. Two different data analytics companies, Unacast and Descartes Labs, released data showing the same trends. The datasets don’t identify individual phones, but they show aggregate numbers for counties and states.

Overall, the data shows that movement among Floridians, which had plummeted in April to 90 percent less than normal, rebounded. By mid-June, it was back up to just 20 to 30 percent less than normal, a mark higher than any point since mid-March, though still below the U.S. average.

Then, the trend stopped. For the past two months, movement has remained generally flat (despite a quick bump over one weekend in July). ...

This is a measurement of the overall population’s movements. It doesn’t mean everyone acted the same way. While tech companies may know which specific people have been out and about more than others, we don’t. Some cell phone owners are likely traveling just as much as last year, while others may have quarantined at home all spring and summer long.

Taken as a whole, Florida hit the brakes on increased travel as it became evident the pandemic was getting worse. Cases and positivity rates surged in mid-June. More and more people began dying later in the month, and the official death toll (which is delayed a couple weeks because it takes time to certify and count the dead), began climbing by July.

Leaving home is far from the only factor fueling the virus’ spread. Wearing masks and avoiding public buildings or areas with poor ventilation, especially where people are talking loudly, limits transmission. ...