One of the best things about the holiday season is the opportunity it provides us to get together with family and friends to celebrate, share traditions and enjoy each other’s company. Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to make that kind of activity difficult.
While the development and widespread use of the COVID-19 vaccines has made getting together safer for many, it’s still critically important for all of us – as hard as it may be – to modify our holiday plans to avoid infection and reduce the spread of this deadly virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a number of important suggestions to consider as you plan your celebrations. Please keep them in mind, along with your state and local rules and regulations, so we can all enjoy a safe and happy holiday.
Get Vaccinated
The best protection we have against COVID-19 and all its variants continues to be the COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines have proven extremely effective in preventing serious infection, hospitalization, and death. That’s why it’s so important to be fully vaccinated, including having a booster shot.
The CDC recommends people age 16 and older receive a COVID-19 booster shot. If you initially received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you’re eligible for a booster 6 months after completing your primary vaccination series. (16-17 year-olds are only eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 booster at this time.) Johnson & Johnson recipients are eligible 2 months after their original vaccination date. Research suggests it may be beneficial to receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster after initially receiving the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.
Keep Your Gatherings Small Or Virtual
In-person gatherings that bring together family members or friends from different households pose increased levels of risk – especially if those people are unvaccinated. Even if everyone in the group is vaccinated, the risk can’t be completely eliminated since vaccinated people can still be infected and transmit the virus. Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household, however, poses the lowest risk.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, try to keep your gatherings to the smallest, safest groups possible. Make sure anyone joining you from outside your household doesn’t have symptoms or has tested negative prior to your get-together.
Make It Safe
If you’ll have people from outside your household at the event you’re hosting, or if you’re attending an event someone else is having, plan to take these safety precautions to keep yourself and others as safe as possible:
- If you’re sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend.
- Be outdoors rather than indoors. If you can’t be outdoors because of the weather, open windows and doors to increase ventilation.
- For indoor gatherings, wear well-fitting masks that cover your nose and mouth when you’re not eating or drinking – even if you’re vaccinated.
- Remain at least 6 feet apart from people who aren’t in your household.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
- Don’t share food, drink, or utensils with anyone else.
These prevention measures alone can’t ensure your gathering will be safe, but the more of them you put in place, the safer you and your guests will be.
Avoid Travel
While it may be disappointing and not in keeping with your family tradition, avoiding travel is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those you love this holiday season. If you’re considering traveling, visit the CDC’s Travel page to help you decide what’s best for you and your family. At a minimum, though, you should plan to follow these safety measures:
- Get fully vaccinated, including a booster, before you go.
- Wear a mask everywhere you go, even if you’re fully vaccinated. It’s required on all public transportation, including airplanes.
- If you’re not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow the CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
- Stay at least 6 feet apart from everyone who’s not from your household.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
- Avoid contact with anyone who has symptoms.
- Avoid touching your face mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.
Respond Quickly
If you’re exposed to COVID-19 at a holiday gathering, while traveling, or at any other time, get tested immediately and quarantine yourself to protect others.
- Take a self-test as soon as possible.
- Stay home until you’ve tested negative.
- Watch for fever (100.4°F or higher), cough, shortness of breath or other common symptoms.
- Contact your health care provider if you test positive or develop symptoms.
- If you test positive, notify everyone you’ve come in contact with immediately. They will want to be tested and inform others about their possible exposure to the virus.
No one wants to celebrate the holidays small, but it’s the smartest way to keep everyone safe again this year. So follow these suggestions and find little ways to make the season special.