CDC Recommends Proper Judgement During Holiday Season to Keep Families Safe

Spiking cases of Covid - 19 prompts action and officials recommend taking necessary decisions and precautions during the holiday season, some options recommended by the CDC can help mitigate the spread of the virus and keep families safe.

Small gatherings are a major contributor in spreading Covid - 19, according to the CDC. Smaller gatherings are often more intimate than larger gatherings which are required to follow strict protocol.

There are several ways to make sure families are safe, and prevent any unwanted gifts.

In some colleges, students are offered complete virtual classes in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. This way they are not under any contact with anyone and are able to keep their families safe when they return home.

This concept also applies to families as well. It is recommended that families quarantine for at least a week prior to convening for a family dinner. Once at the family dinner there are additional steps one can take.

Wearing a mask with at least two layers is recommended (HUHS masks provided by the school are double layered) while not eating. It is also recommended to provide one’s own food, utensils, and containers or use single - use plastic ware. This prevents utensils from being a medium for the virus to spread through.

Sneezing and coughing spread virus pathogens into the air. The CDC recommends having dinner and festivities outside where these pathogens can be ventilated away. If that is not possible, opening the windows can help bring in greater air circulation and ventilate or disperse the virus pathogens.

If food has to be prepared at the gathering, limit the amount of people who work with the food. These individuals can take good care of being hygienic while making the meal. Otherwise preparing one’s own food at home and eating it together is the best way to stay safe in this regard.

These techniques can help mitigate the spread between families, however the best option is to remain home. The CDC also provides some alternatives to in - person gatherings.

One alternative is to share family recipes with relatives and friends, and encourage them to prepare the recipes. Dinner can be done through a virtual meeting as well.

The CDC encourages families to share recipes, ideas, and laughs instead of sharing Covid - 19.