Fun fact. Did you know that with the latest Omicron BA.2 and BA.2.12.1, the vaccine/booster only protects you for 6 WEEKS against infection? After 8 WEEKS, protection drops to near zero. It does provide 12 weeks or so of preventing you from hospitalization and dying. But 6 weeks in terms of protecting you from the virus and then you spreading it to everyone…….6 weeks…that’s about it.
Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 will likely prove to be even more evasive to vaccines. Now, i am NOT saying that being unvaccinated is a smart move either if you have medical issues or that prior non-Omicron (specifically non-BA.2) infection is any better. I support vaccination of high-risk individuals. BUT, the current vaccine/booster has not been as effective as some may have lead you to believe.
Virus mutation is NOT from people not wearing masks. For the most part, COVID has spread just as easily (if not maybe faster) in highly vaccinated states (and with stricter mask mandates) as lesser vaccinated states. See the current explosion of COVID BA.2/2.12.1.
As for summer driving etc….what was the price of gas in June 2021? Average $3.15. So, no, summer has little to do with the current increase. Other factors are involved.