Entering the third pandemic holiday season has left us with a few questions on the rules of gathering safely. With COVID-19 numbers beginning to spike again following a seasonal surge and a decade-level high of influenza hospitalization, taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones is essential in keeping them safe.
Stay safe this holiday season with these five recommendations :
Seniors, immunocompromised individuals, and those with cancer are the most at risk of getting COVID-19 and the flu. Discuss with your family and friends before you meet and take the necessary safety measures if a high-risk loved one is attending.
This may sound obvious, but the best way to protect your loved ones while experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu is to stay home. This includes receiving a negative at-home COVID test. If you aren’t feeling well, you should quarantine until you are feeling better.
Unless you have a medical reason to not get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster and the flu vaccine, you should consider receiving them before any large gatherings. Pharmacies and health centers across the country are offering bivalent booster shots, which target the Omicron variant and can help protect you against severe disease. It’s also safe to receive your flu shot at the same time as your booster.
Although you may have taken precautions the week leading up to a family gathering, traveling (whether by bus, train, or plane) can potentially expose you to COVID-19 or the flu. It’s best to wear an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask, cinch it tightly, and try to keep it on the entire trip to avoid transmission. You can also ensure your loved ones’ safety by testing yourself after your journey.
5. Celebrate outside or in a ventilated area
Depending on where you live, the temperature outside may be comfortable enough to celebrate the holidays outdoors. If holding your event outside isn’t an option, then do your best to ventilate the area in an indoor space. Air circulation through an open window or an air purifier can help combat the transmission of viruses.
Wellzesta
Wellzesta prioritizes our users’ health and well-being through our Messages, communication, and wellness features.
Messages and Alerts can help staff members quickly send mass messages about important health information to their communities. Life streamlines communication between staff and residents and allows those who have to quarantine for the holidays a chance to stay social within their community.
Daily wellness content also keeps users informed of updated guidelines and information from credible sources.
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