By Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, Infectious Disease Specialist at Children’s Health™ | Contributor
The holiday season is typically filled with celebrations and time spent with loved ones, but this year, things may look different as COVID-19 cases continue to escalate.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that gatherings with family and friends who don’t reside with you can elevate the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. The most secure way to celebrate the holidays is to remain at home with your immediate household members. It’s vital to take into account the risk factors present in your community and family.
While it may be necessary to limit holiday gatherings, it is a difficult decision to make. Family traditions and spending time with loved ones bring joy, especially during challenging times.
Below are some tips to help you maintain your family’s health as you navigate this unprecedented holiday season.
1. Understand the Risks of Holiday Gatherings
Before planning a holiday gathering, consider whether any family members have risk factors that could lead to severe illness from COVID-19. Individuals over 65 years old or those with chronic illnesses, such as obesity, heart disease, or diabetes, are often at greater risk. If any family members fall into these categories, it is advisable to refrain from gatherings altogether. Virtual gatherings remain the safest way to connect with others outside your household.
If you opt to gather with family or friends, consider reducing the size of the gathering by limiting the number of households and the locations of your meetings.
Host gatherings outdoors while maintaining social distancing to enhance safety. For indoor gatherings, everyone should wear masks, and it can be helpful to open windows for better ventilation. Ensure that guests maintain at least six feet of separation while dining and avoid buffet-style meals.
It’s best to designate one person to serve food, ensuring that they wash their hands thoroughly and wear a mask. Alternatively, you could have each family member bring their own food and utensils.
It’s advisable to suggest that anyone attending quarantine at home for two weeks prior to the event, if feasible. Significantly, any individuals who are feeling ill should remain at home with their families.
Setting these expectations beforehand is beneficial, as not everyone may have the same views regarding COVID-19. Focus on creating a plan that everyone feels comfortable with ahead of time.
2. If Travel is Necessary, Plan Wisely
This year, it’s preferable to stay close to home since travel increases the risk of spreading COVID-19. If travel is unavoidable, be sure to plan ahead and take steps to limit exposure. Avoid making stops while traveling if possible, and always wear a mask when entering businesses. If staying at a hotel, check their cleaning protocols to ensure that they prioritize your safety. Refer to additional travel advice for COVID-19.
3. Continue Safety Precautions Against COVID-19
Regardless of whether you visit family, it’s critical to persist with everyday precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as:
- Practicing social distancing
- Staying home if sick
- Regularly washing hands
- Wearing a mask that covers both mouth and nose in public
Additionally, ensure that every family member over the age of six months receives a flu vaccine this year to help avoid illnesses.
Before the holidays, reach out to your primary care physician to inquire about office closures and have a plan for who to contact if a family member becomes unwell. For example, your pediatrician’s office might be closed for the holidays but could have a nurse line available for queries or recommend a virtual appointment.
4. Steer Clear of Holiday Crowds
During the bustling holiday season, be cautious and avoid large gatherings, particularly indoors. Consider utilizing online shopping and curbside pickup services to reduce trips to the grocery store or mall. If an in-person errand is necessary, aim to go during less busy times and always wear a mask.
Choose holiday activities wisely. Being in a crowd, even with precautions, can raise the risk of contracting COVID-19. Whenever possible, keep holiday activities at home. For example, replace the traditional in-person visit to see Santa with a virtual meeting, allowing your children to safely express their holiday wishes.
Remind your child that the safest gift they can give to their family this year is prioritizing health and safety, and recognize that you are not alone in facing this unusual holiday season.
ABOUT CARLA GARCIA CARRENO:
Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno specializes in diagnosing and treating children with rare infectious diseases or common infections requiring intricate treatment. She serves as a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at PID Associates and is the Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Children’s Medical Center Plano. Furthermore, she is a fellow at the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of America. With experience treating a wide array of infections from rare tropical diseases in Venezuela to intricate local infections, Dr. Carreno possesses the expertise to assist children in overcoming even the most complicated illnesses.
“We collaborate with physicians in addressing challenging and uncommon clinical situations. I work closely with specialists across Children’s Health™ to gain insight into their illnesses and formulate effective treatment strategies,” she shares. “It’s a tremendous privilege to be able to assist these children.”
Dr. Carreno received her medical degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She completed residencies at the Pediatrics Hospital Universitario de Caracas in Venezuela and Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, a Texas A&M College of Medicine Residency Program. In 2007, she joined UT Southwestern Medical Center for her fellowship training in pediatric infectious diseases.
