Virus Spread Risk at Holiday Celebrations
What You Need to Know!
By Annette Pinder
Our nation’s top health expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, recently announced that his children would not come home to visit for Thanksgiving due to fear of possibly spreading the coronavirus. As we all grow weary of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci tells us that we may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering, especially when gathering with family members who live far away.
According to the CDC, celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses low risk for spread and in-person gatherings pose varying levels of risk. If you are planning on hosting or attending a holiday gathering the CDC provides some helpful advice below and at https://tinyurl.com/yamvsp2a.
Community levels of COVID-19. Consider whether there are higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread where you plan on visiting, including where attendees are coming from. Information on the number of cases in different locations is available at the health department website at https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories.
Indoor vs outdoor. Indoor gatherings generally pose more risk than outdoor gatherings, especially indoor gatherings where poor ventilation poses more risk than those with open windows or doors.
Duration of the gathering. Gatherings that last longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings.
Number of people at the gathering. Gatherings with more people pose more risk than those with fewer people. The size of the gathering should be determined based on the ability to reduce or limit contact between attendees, the risk of spread between attendees.
Traveling from different locations. Gatherings with people traveling from different places pose a higher risk than gatherings with attendees who live in the same area. Higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread in the gathering location, or where attendees are coming from, increase the risk of infection and spread among attendees.
Behaviors of attendees prior to the gathering. Gatherings with those not adhering to social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart), mask wearing, hand washing, and other prevention behaviors pose more risk than gatherings with attendees who are engaging in these preventative behaviors.
Behaviors of attendees during the gathering. Gatherings with more preventive measures in place, such as mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing, pose less risk than gatherings where fewer or no preventive measures are being implemented.
When not to attend at all. People should not attend any in-person holiday include those exposed to COVID; those with people in their household with COVID symptoms; those who recently had COVID and are not yet cleared to socialize; those awaiting COVID viral test results; and those at risk of severe illness from COVID.
People at risk highest risk. Older adults are at highest risk for COVID-19. People in their 60s or 70s are at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 50s. The greatest risk for severe illness from is among those aged 85 or older. Having an underlying medical condition increases that risk. Learn more about these conditions at https://tinyurl.com/yyrde3zs.
Find safe ways to enjoy November at www.buffalohealthyliving.com/virtual-and-outdoor-events-and-resources.
