Instead of worrying about how to stay warm this winter, people are going to be stressing over the latest wave and new-found strain of the coronavirus. The topic of COVID-19 is not new, America has been plagued by said virus for almost a year now, yet this will be the first time people celebrate the holidays while the virus visits.
Flu season comes with winter like a married couple, and it seems like a third has been added to the party. The Center for Disease Control predicts that with the colder days will come more COVID-19 cases, making percentages surge.
“The state and territory-level ensemble forecasts predict that over the next 4 weeks, the number of newly reported deaths per week will likely increase in 16 jurisdictions and decrease in 2 jurisdictions,” stated the CDC in a forecast updated on December 9th, which can be found on their website.
While Christmas is a holiday dedicated to peace and joy, caution must not be thrown out the window. It may be tempting to meet up with friends and family and disregard all cares for a single night but people must fight against that urge if they want to see an end to this pandemic.
In the end, staying home is the best way to stay safe, but loneliness can drive people mad. Meeting up with people is not strictly forbidden, but safety measures must be followed through. Wearing masks and maintaining six-feet distance is a must, and as long as everyone is healthy and following rules, there will be no issue.
Before meeting up with a group, make sure the group is not too large in order to prevent the spread of germs. Also make sure that everyone is healthy and has not been in contact with anyone who has had, or has, COVID-19. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Use the same precautions usually followed during flu season: hand-washing, sanitizers, sneezing into a napkin. If Christmas celebrations are being taken outside, make sure all chairs are at a six-foot distance, with ample room to move around. Make sure everyone stays outside, where the larger space helps prevent the spread. Even if gathering outside, try not to promote the removal of masks except when eating or drinking.
With this virus overtaking our lives, though, these precautions may be exceeded to the next level. Don’t share utensils or drinks with anyone, and definitely don’t invade someone’s personal space. Unfortunately, this means no mistletoe for those hoping to find their special someone.
The Christmas spirit can still thrive this year, but of course everyone’s priority is the safety of those they love the most, so be considerate and take the steps necessary to have a safe winter season.
