Celebrate Safely This Holiday Season

The winter holiday season, with its tradition of bringing families and friends together, is fast approaching. However, with COVID-19 still present in the U.S., how do we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer valuable holiday guidance to help you lower the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

The CDC recommends celebrating virtually or only with members of your own household (who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19) as the best way to stay safe and healthy this holiday season and to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

Your household is anyone who currently lives with you. People who do not live with you, including college students returning home from school for the holidays, should be considered part of different households and pose varying levels of risk.

Are you hosting a holiday gathering?

If you are still planning to host a holiday event, you should:

• Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated. Learn how existing Loyola patients and new patients can schedule a vaccine appointment today. 
   
• Celebrate with family or household members only to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19. Ask non-household friends and family to stay home this year. 
   
• Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation. More information on increasing ventilation in your home can be found here. 
   
• Clean hands often – Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting social gatherings. Make sure there is adequate soap or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol available. 
   
• Limit the number of people handling or serving food – If serving any food, consider identifying one person to serve all food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils. Avoid buffets or potluck meals. 
   
• Ask family to limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items – Use touchless garbage cans and clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use.

Are you going to an event?

If you are planning to attend a holiday gathering, you should also:

• Wear a well-fitted mask in a public indoor setting if you are not fully vaccinated. Learn how existing Loyola patients and new patients can schedule a vaccine appointment today. 
   
• Consider arriving early or at off-peak times to avoid crowding.

Are you planning to travel this holiday season?

Traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you are considering traveling for the holidays, the CDC has information to help you decide what is best for you and your family.

Washing your hands and avoiding touching your face will help keep you and those around you safer. Also consider whether COVID-19 is spreading at your destination. The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.

We encourage you to consider these tips to help enjoy the holidays while keeping you and your family safe and healthy.

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