Have a COVID-free Christmas
To prevent more people from contracting and dying from COVID-19, we really have to learn to modify holiday celebrations
It’s December and the holiday season is upon us — a time to get together with relatives from multiple generations, sleeping under one roof and in close quarters. It’s a time to hug, share food and enjoy family traditions.
Unfortunately, many of the activities that you love to do with family and friends present a high risk for spreading COVID-19. And, if your holiday social calendar is typically full, you actually run the risk of being a COVID-19 super-spreader. To prevent more people from contracting and dying from the virus, we really have to learn to modify these holiday celebrations.
Remember that anything that involves interaction indoors with people not in your immediate household is a high- risk activity. Now, no need to panic — this does not mean that your holiday schedule is canceled; it just means that you may need to consider reframing how you celebrate this year.
For this week’s column, I thought I might share with
you a few low-, moderate- and high-risk ways to celebrate the holidays.
Low risk
• Celebrating with only the people in your household.
• Having a virtual celebration with other loved ones.
•Preparing meals for loved ones who are at- risk and delivering the food in a contactless way.
Moderate risk
Hosting an outdoor gathering with fewer than 10 people who live nearby. If this is what you’re planning, then remember to be careful, and by that I mean: stay at least six feet apart, wear masks and please don’t invite anyone who might be at high risk of serious illness from COVID- 19 ( to my transplant patients, I’m looking at you.)
High risk
This is essentially pretending that COVID- 19 doesn’t even exist. You’re gathering indoors with people who aren’t part of your household, you aren’t following social distancing guidelines, none of you are wearing masks , or if you are, not properly. You invited your closest friend or relative who happens to be immunoc om promised( again, to my transplant patients, I’m looking at you).
And just to make it even more interesting, let’s decide to invite half the neighborhood.
Together, but separate
I discourage a traditional dinner this year.
But if you’ve decided to host an indoor gathering, consider taking it outdoors. You can seat people from the same household together, with different households seated at separate tables six feet apart, if possible. Remember that many people are concerned about their relatives getting sick. Part of being a good host is practicing low- risk behavior that help keep your guests safe and stress- free.
Avoid too many cooks in the kitchen
Family style won’t f ly this year. If you are hosting an indoor holiday meal, it’s riskier to have multiple people bring food items from their individual households than it is for one person to cook everything. Pick a person who you know will abide by hygiene protocols ( washing their hands, wearing a mask) and have them cook everything. Another person can be the designated server, dishing up and bringing them to everyone, so that only one person touches serving utensils. This person should wash hands before and af ter serving, and wear a mask at all times.
Safer holiday celebrations
Just do a drive-by celebration with your at-risk relatives. This is a great way to prepare food for them and deliver it in a contactless way. If it isn’t raining, you can even sit with
them for awhile outside. Just remember to keep your distance at least six feet away. Be sure that everyone is wearing a mask. And no hugging or kissing!
Home for the holidays
If you have a child or a relative who must absolutely come home for the holidays, consider asking them to get tested and isolate before they interact with other family members. This includes wearing a mask in the house until they get their COV I D - 19 test results. If they are absolutely unable to get tested and isolate for whatever reason, then they should not be around at- risk relatives, especially grandparents.
Virtual greetings
Many people look forward to the holidays all year, and especially anticipate the 2020 holidays at the end of a year that has been marked by sadness and depression. Make the ef fort to reach out to relatives who can’t make your celebration by calling them or connecting virtually.
Like it or not, Christmas is here. Let’s make the most out of it while staying safe, not only for ourselves, but for everybody else around us.