In a sharp drop from peaks around 5,000 daily deaths, just more than 300 people are now dying daily in the U.S. from complications surrounding COVID-19. And while you may not have noticed because you live in Florida, the rise in the number of people vaccinated (55% of Floridians age 12 and up have received at least one dose) has led to the feeling that society is inching towards normalcy.
One sign of that—despite the fact the live music venues on life support are still waiting on shuttered venue operator grant money—is the emergence of unmasked crowds at local venues that have traditionally been stalwarts of strict coronavirus precautions. That was the scene on Friday night in the West River neighborhood near downtown Tampa where two of the Bay area’s most boisterous bands—hardcore and punk-leaning Wreath and tough-to-categorize rock and roll unit Mindwash—were on stage at Hooch and Hive.—Ray Roa
