As we enter our third pandemic holiday season, experts are pointing to a possible seasonal surge in Covid, as numbers start rising back up in the United States.
This is the holiday that everyone’s wants to come back together again, with Family and friends. With advanced planning, family gatherings can be safe this year, and resemble something like pre-pandemic times.
Here are some tips to try to protect everyone in the family that is gathering together this season.
Plan around the highest-risk members of your family.
Individual risk tolerance may vary among your family members, but in general, plan around the person at your gathering who is highest-risk. That means taking more precautions if you have a family member who is older than 60, on immunosuppressant medications.
Talk with your family members ahead of time before gathering and figure out your game plan. Ask if people are up to date on their vaccinations, and encourage people to take precautions if a high-risk family member is attending, which could include limiting the amount of people you invite to dinner. Ask all members attending the family gathering to buy into the idea that we’re going to do the best to protect each other.
The biggest way to protect yourself and others is to stay on top of your vaccines and shots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the Bivalent Booster and a flu shot. Speak to your medical provider for recommendations regarding your care. The Bivalent shot is recommended for people who are at least two months out from their last infection or vaccination.
Pay attention to your symptoms.
In the days leading up to your family gathering and especially the morning of — watch out for Covid Symptoms: sore throat, congestion, coughing, fatigue, headaches and muscle pain. People infected with BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are now the dominant subvariants of Omicron, are less likely to report losing their sense of taste and smell, but those are also crucial symptoms to watch for. It is still possible to have an asymptomatic case of Covid. If you do not have symptoms, you can still spread the virus, which makes it important to test right before gathering with a vulnerable person.
“If you’re going to sit down with Grandma for Thanksgiving dinner, test immediately before.
If you do feel sick, stay home even if you’re negative on a rapid test. “Anyone who isn’t feeling well should stay home, because the tests aren’t perfect.
DO YOUR BEST TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. If you need test kits or want a booster contact us @212-227-8401
We wish you a Merry, Blessed, Happy, safe and Healthy Holiday Season
