Buzz
Do you remember the 2020 holiday season? We advised that the safest option was to keep Thanksgiving celebrations at home and delay large Christmas gatherings until the following year when we could hopefully have access to vaccines. (The first COVID vaccines were authorized in December, for those who remember.) This year, the situation has changed, but we are still not completely out of danger. The CDC has updated their guidance on holiday celebrations just in time to help plan your festive events.
Here are some practical tips from the CDC, which align closely with the common-sense precautions many of us are already taking.
Children remain at risk for COVID-19
While there is hope that children under the age of 12 might soon be eligible for vaccines, that isn't the case yet. Even if you manage to get your kids vaccinated as soon as possible, it takes some time for immunity to develop. (Remember, being considered 'fully vaccinated' still means waiting two weeks after receiving the final dose in a vaccine series.)
Here are some suggestions for keeping kids safe:
Ensure everyone around your child is vaccinated.
If you're vaccinated, you might still consider wearing a mask at holiday gatherings, especially if you have young children at home, as an extra layer of protection for them.
Kids should wear masks at indoor events with people outside their household, except for children under 2 years old.
Children under 2 should not wear masks. (This is not because masks are ineffective, but because young children often chew on or drool through them.)
Are masks still necessary for the holidays?
You’re probably familiar with the guidelines by now, but if not, the following advice remains important:
If you haven't completed your vaccination and plan to spend time indoors with people who don't live with you, wearing a mask is strongly advised.
If you're vaccinated but will be indoors with individuals outside your household, it's recommended to wear a mask if your area's transmission rate is classified as 'substantial' or 'high.' (You can check the county-level map here, but here’s a hint: this applies to most areas.)
If you have a weakened immune system, it's essential to get vaccinated, but you should still wear a mask as an added layer of protection, since some people with compromised immune systems might not have a full immune response to the vaccine and you may not know if you're one of them.
If you live with someone who is vulnerable to COVID-19, you might want to wear a mask even if you're vaccinated.
Where is the best place to hold our celebration?
Crowded indoor spaces are still not ideal for gatherings.
If you have the option, outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones.
And as always, if you're feeling unwell, please refrain from attending or hosting any gatherings.
What about traveling?
If you’ve received full vaccination, the CDC has no additional specific recommendations for you, other than the requirement to wear a mask on public transportation (as mandated by law). It’s also advisable to follow the mask-wearing guidelines mentioned earlier for certain places.
If you’re traveling with children or others who aren’t fully vaccinated, the CDC offers a page with advice on safe travel options. The safest option is to take a brief road trip with minimal stops. If flying is necessary, opt for flights with the fewest layovers to avoid crowded airports.
For accommodations, the best options include staying with vaccinated family members or renting an entire Airbnb or cabin to maintain privacy. When dining on the road, it’s safest to opt for takeout instead of dining in a restaurant.
