Be Merry Safely

The holidays can still be enjoyed by taking infection prevention measures to keep you, your patients and your colleagues safe. Please be mindful of following these suggested safety tips.

• Gather outdoors instead of indoors if weather permits.
• Limit the number of attendees by gathering in smaller groups and in larger spaces.
• Shorter gatherings pose a reduced risk than longer gatherings.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and shared items in between and after gatherings. Be sure to focus on high touch surfaces like door knobs, tables, counters, chair backs, handles, and faucets.
• Social distance, wear a mask, and practice good hand hygiene.
• Maintain 6 feet of distance from others outside your household—this is good practice at all times and critically important when eating or any time masks are down.
• Keep food covered at all times to prevent contamination from coughs and sneezes.
• Keep masks on when not eating or drinking.
• Self-serve buffets, shared food and family-style meals increase the chance of cross contamination and should be avoided at work and home. Single servings are the best option. In addition, please do not bring food to share with coworkers.

Avoid hosting/attending if you’re sick, have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, are waiting on COVID-19 test results, or have been told to isolate/quarantine by a health care professional or health department. If you are high-risk for COVID-19 complications, consider whether you should participate.

Of course, the safest way to gather is virtual. Instead of potlucks or parties, here are some fun suggestions to celebrate virtually/remotely with coworkers, friends and family.

• Share holiday cookie recipes with friends or coworkers through email.
• “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup!” Instead of going to the movies, share your favorite holiday movie(s) or movie quotes through email.
• Donate the items for your traditional holiday meal to your local food pantry.
• Share your favorite holiday memories, photos of your family or even your decorations through email, text or on a virtual/video meeting.