CHI VP: ‘Do not mix households this holiday season’

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state have hit record highs in the week following Thanksgiving, and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Vice President Christi Whatley says “safe behaviors” like not mixing households for holiday gatherings need to be maintained.

“Obviously in- person gatherings pose varying degrees of risk, and so I think how big depends on the number of family members that already live in your household versus those who do not,” Whatley said. “If you’ve got family members or friends that you’re bringing together from different households, including family members that are college students that are returning home, then you are going to increase your level of risk.”

Even with the possibility of having developed antibodies after recovering from COVID-19, Whatley said those who know they have already been infected need to proceed with caution before mixing into another household for the holidays.

“Not all of the evidence is fully known,” Whatley said. “The recommendations by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and Department of Health still apply for those safe behaviors, including social distance, 6

feet, wearing face protection, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly. All of those safe behaviors still apply.”

She said the COVID-19 threat should still be taken “very seriously,” and people need to get creative with how they celebrate the holidays this year.

“I’ve heard of front door drop off, or exchanging gifts from cars — 2020 has been a very unique and different year; it has challenged us all to be innovative and creative in how we approach everything that we’re doing,” Whatley said. “I think the most important thing is to find the thing that maintains human connection, and keeps human connection the center of how you are choosing to celebrate.”

One thing they are encouraging is giving “special attention” to those who are at risk, especially seniors, she said.

“We need to remember them and protect them, but do that in a way that maintains connection because they don’t only need our protection, but they also still need that human connection,” Whatley said. “We can’t isolate ourselves from them, or isolate them from others.”

While no one wants to miss seeing elderly loved ones over the holiday, she said it is worth it to miss this year in order to protect them.

“I think, again, it goes back to we need to protect them, but do that in a way that still offers human connection, and we just have to be creative in how we do that,” Whatley said. “A phone call goes a long way, though. That’s very basic, and we all have access to the phone.”

When it comes to socially distant gift giving to those outside of your household, she said it wouldn’t hurt to sanitize the packages. As for baked goods? Leave that as a gift given to those in your household.

“Be safe, take all of those safe behaviors very seriously, do not let up,” Whatley said.