Masking up, testing, sanitizing: Staying safe this Thanksgiving with COVID-19, flu and RSV
By Amanda Greenfield
Health.com
Saturday, November 22
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that all Americans limit the number of people they see during the holiday season. Even though the current pandemic has been primarily centered on China — and more specifically on China’s travel history — there is still a need to limit interactions with the public, as the virus spreads at an alarming rate and even in well-isolated communities like Washington, D.C., the disease can be spread through casual contact.
That said, the CDC recommends that we maintain an understanding of what we are up against in the public health arena; and we’re advised (as well as recommended) to go about our merrymaking and social interactions the best way we know how.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the best practices that, as much as possible, we can apply to the coming holiday season.
1. Plan ahead.
If you want to be prepared in terms of avoiding large crowds at your household functions — or at gatherings outside of your community — I have five recommendations for you.
First, create a “holiday plan.” That doesn’t necessarily mean a list of who’s coming and going, what food, what time of the day — but it has to be something that you consider taking seriously.
As soon as you put your mind to it; for example, when you get your invites for holiday-themed parties — or decide to go out and buy tickets for the next big event — or if you go online and find that your favorite restaurant has a sale, you just have to plan for the parties, the events and the restaurants you like.
Then, when you get invites you want to consider what’s important to you. If you’re
