COVID-19: How to keep your family safe this holiday season

The holidays may be around the corner, but COVID-19 is looming large. What does that mean for your annual traditions? With case counts continually on the rise and hospitals reaching capacity, the festivities and celebrations will probably need to look a little different this year. Assessing your risk will make it easier to decide how to move forward with holiday celebrations in the coming weeks.

Can we still have our annual Thanksgiving dinner?
For many people, it’s hard to imagine Thanksgiving without the traditional turkey feast, surrounded by family and friends. But Bliss Healthcare Medical Doctor Dr. Brian Mulondo, urges people to be cautious when planning gatherings.

“Unfortunately, our holidays are coming in at a terrible time for us,” Stenehjem said. “Cases are at an all-time high and are continuing to go up. … So, if you are bringing other people into your home, if you're bringing in a large family gathering, that could be a super spreader event.”

Stenehjem warned that even small indoor gatherings can be a source for transmitting the virus. Instead, he suggested opting for an outdoor gathering if the weather permits. If you have to be inside, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated space and follow Ministry Of Health guidelines.

Is it safe to travel or host visitors?
Apart from your holiday meals, you may have plans to travel or host visitors. Here’s what you need to know

• College students carry a high risk of infection and often are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms). If you have a college student returning for the holidays, you may want to consider having them come home early to quarantine.
• Visitors who come from areas with a high rate of confirmed COVID cases carry a much higher risk – particularly if they haven’t been wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
• Visitors traveling from places with lower case counts may not pose a risk to you, but you might pose a risk to them.
• If you’re concerned about spreading the virus before you travel, quarantine for 14 days beforehand, if possible.
• Recognize that even while taking precautions, traveling increases your risk of catching or transmitting COVID-19.

Assess the risks of your holiday activities
Keeping everyone healthy and safe this holiday season depends heavily on people exercising good judgment. To gauge whether a certain activity is safe or not, here’s some advice from Healthier Kenya's infectious disease consultants and the Ministry Of Health.
High Risk Activities:

• Shopping in-person during crowded store sales (e.g., Black Friday).
• Attending parades in-person.
• Hosting or attending large indoor gatherings with people who do not live in your household.
• Hosting or attending large outdoor gatherings with people from outside your household with no social distancing and no masks.

Medium Risk Activities:

• Having a small outdoor dinner with friends and family who live in your community. Make sure you consider your local health department requirements for size of gathering.

NOTE: Gathering with others outside your household without masks is a high-risk situation, no matter the size of the party. The risk goes up with larger parties and longer gatherings. Families that do not live together should try to sit at separate tables or in different rooms, if possible.

Medium Risk Activities:

• Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household..
• Hosting a virtual dinner with your friends and family.
• Participating in Black Friday online.
• Enjoying football, parades and more from the comfort of your home.

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