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The holiday season is practically here and the top of mind topic is how to safely celebrate to best prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For some of us, we are living in areas where the warm summer nights and brisk fall days have gone, and with them they took away the safer option of an outdoor gathering with masks and effective social distancing. One of the harder things about the holiday season is that people are not only facing indoor events, but also events that are often centered around eating and drinking where masking isn’t possible. Transplant patients are included among those that are considered high risk. While it is of the upmost importance we all take the proper safety measures, it can be more stressful for individuals who are at higher risk.
We are sharing some guidelines provided by Mayo Clinic to help you navigate this time of year if you decide to attend an indoor celebration and some ideas for how to virtually celebrate this year.
A Virtual Celebration
Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and other options have helped us stay connected this year and are a great option to use for a large family ‘gathering’ where every household can join and connect safely without concern for exposure or infection of COVID-19. Some ideas to help make your virtual gathering feel festive are:
In person Celebration
While most experts suggest not participating in gatherings this holiday season, if you choose to gather, consider these safety measures.
What to consider:
Safety Tips for hosts and guests at an in-person gathering:
After the celebration:
If you feel like you were in close contact with many people from different households or you may have been exposed to COVID-19, take extra precautions for 14 days. Stay home and follow safety measures provided by the CDC.
If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, immediately contact the other guests who also attended the event.
The holidays will take extra planning this year, but taking the appropriate safety precautions is worth it to make sure you and your loved ones minimize the risk of exposure or becoming infected with COVID-19. What are your holiday plans this year? Share with us below!
Helpful Links
Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s tips on navigating the holidays during the pandemic.
Mayo Clinic Health System: Keeping your holidays safe during COVID-19
CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety precautions
CDC guidelines for COVID-19 during the holidays
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