Because of the upcoming Holiday Season, I think that certain issues regarding Covid-19 need to be considered.
Because we are Southerners, "social distancing" is very difficult and unfamiliar to say the least. Yet, with this virus still very much in existence, we have to consider some very hard questions. Is this Holiday Season worth the possibility of losing a loved one?
I do not support living our lives in fear of the "what ifs", but with so many infectious disease specialist telling us the numbers are going to rise sharply during the Holidays this year, we need to rethink our normal Holiday traditions.
Here are a few tips from the CDC about our Holidays this year.
• Have a small dinner with only people in your household.
• Prepare traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19, and deliver them in a way that doesn't involve contact with others.
• Have a virtual dinner and share recipes with friends and family.
• Call locally owned stores about Christmas presents and buy on the phone and ask them to deliver.
• Shop on line rather than in person on the day after Christmas or the next Monday
• Watch sports events, parades and movies from home.
Get your Flu Shot.
Stay home or away from others as much as possible.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19, fever, cough or shortness of breath, or if you test positive, immediately contact the host of the gathering you have attended. They may need to inform other attendees about their possible exposure to the virus. Contact your health care provider and follow the CDC recommended steps for what to do if you become sick, and follow the public health recommendations for community-related exposure. STAY AT HOME, if you are waiting on test results or if you have symptoms.
Go to CDC.gov for information and help.
The greatest gift I can receive from my family is that we are all here to celebrate the Holiday Season in 2021.
Please be careful and have a great, safe Holiday season.
