Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
In all likelihood, local families are wracking their brains out to plan for holiday gatherings while becoming more stressed and confused about what to do about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Do we all meet with grandma or keep her isolated? What about the kids coming home from college? Does everyone need a COVID test to prove they’re healthy? And what kind of COVID test is best?
Collaborating on the best practices needed to keep the American public safer, multiple doctors have created a “Holiday COVID Checklist” to prepare families with a safe plan to celebrate with confidence.
“We should all be vigilant and not let our guard down because we desperately want to spend time with the people we love,” says Dr. Benjamin Barlow, chief medical officer of American Family Care. “One person, even without showing symptoms, can infect everyone in the room.”
Holiday COVID checklist: Take a test. Some families are insisting everyone get tested first, and it’s a smart idea, especially for children, who may be carriers but not show symptoms.
What general tests are available? RAPID testing:
* These tests are for patients who have been exposed or are having symptoms related to COVID-19. It’s best to get the test when you’re in the early stages of the virus (two to three days in) when your viral load is the highest.
* Nasal swab done by patient or by medical provider (which is preferred)
* Produces results within 15 minutes.
Send-out testing:
* PCR – Polymerase Chain Reaction, considered the “Gold Standard” for COVID Testing and recommended for patients who have COVID symptoms.
* Nasal or saliva swab done by medical provider.
* FDA cites this test as the most accurate for diagnosing COVID
* Results back in two to three days, though lab backlogs slow things down
Other suggestions:
* Mask it! — When not eating, everyone wears a mask, and make sure they wear them properly, covering nose and mouth and fits tightly on the side of your face. You could even get creative and hold a mask decorating competition. It would be a great way for multi-generations to interact and keep a special momento (mask) to remind you of the 2020 holiday season.
* Make distance markers – Put distance markers on your floor like you see in businesses to keep everyone six feet or two arms lengths apart. Try to keep Great Aunt Edna or little Joey who suffers from asthma as isolated as possible. If someone has serious underlying conditions, gatherings should be kept to a few immediate family members. Keep the headcount low regardless.
* Provide hand sanitizers – Post bottles of hand sanitizers throughout. Make sure they contain 60 percent alcohol. Play a game “Count the Sanitizers” and whoever guesses the correct amount, wins a prize. It’s kind of like an Easter Egg Hunt COVID-style.
* Enjoy outdoors – If weather cooperates, serve food outdoors for better ventilation. Outdoor heaters and firepits will encourage people to gather outside. Plan activities like corn hole, football and basketball so guests go outside and stay outside.
* Cut down on cooks and cooking — Have guests bring food to limit cooks in the kitchen, where people get too close. Limit exposure by having one person wearing a mask and gloves make everyone’s plate, vs. everyone digging in the food buffet-style. Limit the menu to keep it simple. Designate one person to create take-home plates for leftovers.
* Set time limits – Set a firm start and end time for festivities so guests don’t linger for hours.
