W Leggett
I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to encourage you to stay safe this holiday season.
COVID-19 has affected our lives for most of this year. Many people are wondering if it’s safe to travel or gather with family and friends. Currently, COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations are on the rise in many parts of the country, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that traveling increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus.
Staying home, meeting virtually online, and avoiding gatherings with those outside your household is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
If you do get together with others outside your household, you can take these steps to reduce the risk of getting or spreading the virus.
- Keep any events small with no more than 10 people or 2 households.
- Gather outdoors especially when eating or drinking when masks need to be removed. When indoors, open windows and doors to increase airflow.
- Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from those not in your household.
- Encourage everyone to wear a mask.
- Keep gatherings to shorter periods of time.
- Skip any hugs or kisses this season.
- Avoid crowds, such as at restaurants or bars.
- Avoid sharing food and serving utensils.
- Avoid contact with anyone who’s sick (and isolate at home if you’ve been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or the flu).
Even with these modifications, gathering with a small group of others outside your household you‘ve been interacting with can still carry enormous risks.
Having a negative COVID swab test isn’t a guarantee that a person isn’t contagious at the time of the gathering. Exposures can occur after the test has been performed. It doesn't prevent you from getting and spreading the virus.
This year, COVID-19 and flu viruses will be spreading at the same time, so it’s more important than ever to get your flu shot to stay healthy.
Holidays are a time to celebrate and find joy. I also want you, your loved ones, and our communities to stay healthy.
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