Over the past year, we’ve all adjusted to a new way of life: We’ve worked from home, scheduled virtual doctor’s appointments and taught school from the kitchen table. That flexibility and willingness to do what’s best for our community will continue to serve us well over the upcoming months. Even so, it isn’t easy to accept that we may not be able to celebrate the holidays exactly as we’d like. Taking some time to wrap our minds around how we can manage everything we’re feeling will go a long way in helping us adjust.
As a first step, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to grieve the “old” normal. Grief isn’t just for those who’ve experienced traumatic loss. It’s okay to grieve over precious time lost with loved ones or over canceling a party you look forward to hosting every year. Acknowledge those feelings while still trying to stay as positive and thankful as you can.
When you’re ready to make plans, think “out with the old and in with the new.” Consider how you could stay connected with family and friends — near and far — while still ensuring everyone’s safety. Video calls, for example, have been a mainstay over the past few months: Put that technology to work again over the holidays. You could also call a family meeting to brainstorm fresh new ways to celebrate or talk about new traditions that just might stick for years to come.
Manage Your COVID Risk
As you begin to plan your holiday celebrations, keep in mind that some activities have a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 than others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) separates activities into three categories: low, moderate and high risk.
- Low risk: Virtual-only activities, events and gatherings or celebrations with only the members of your household are best. Hosting or attending outdoor and in-person gatherings that follow safety precautions — such as only inviting a small number of guests from the same “isolation bubble,” wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and avoiding the sharing of food or drinks — can also be managed with low risk.
- Moderate risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that follow safety precautions — such as wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart, and limiting the number of guests — but include guests from outside the immediate bubble or involve sharing food and drinks put you and your family at moderate risk.
- High risk: In-person gatherings that make it difficult to stay 6 feet apart and/or include guests traveling from outside the local area put your family at high risk.
Whenever possible, opt for lower-risk activities. And, as you go about your holiday plans, remember the 3Ws:
- Watch your distance. People can spread COVID-19 even before they know they’re sick or have any symptoms. Stay at least 6 feet apart from others not in your household to reduce your risk of being infected – and infecting others – by droplets that carry the virus.
- Wear your mask. Masks are proven effective at helping reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. You should wear a mask whenever you’re out in public or around people not in your immediate household. That includes wearing a mask when you’re at a friend or family member’s holiday party.
- Wash your hands. Good hand hygiene can also help keep you healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. (And remember to keep those hands off your face and mask!)
Finally, a flu shot can also keep you and your loved ones healthy through the winter months. While it won’t prevent you from getting COVID-19, it can reduce your risk of getting the flu. It also helps keep hospitals and doctor’s offices from getting overwhelmed with flu patients at the same time they’re managing COVID-19.
