Go virtual. Don't let this happen to your family. Keep safe by having a virtual holiday celebration.
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As winter holidays approach, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's or other family holiday tradition, we still need to practice measures to keep you and your family safe from COVID-19. COVID-19 is still a risk. Many of these are among those who participated with family Thanksgiving celebrations. This is a warning for Christmas and winter holiday celebrations. Give yourself, your family, and friends, a safe holiday by celebrating virtually.
Get vaccinated and keep boosted. If you are not vaccinated, you are at a significantly greater risk becoming infected, experiencing severe illness and death. So please get vaccinated (find vaccine locations near you), follow up on boosters, and continue to practice preventive measures. For those who are vaccinated, follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations regarding boosters which are generally recommended after 6-months. In addition, if you are vaccinated, remember that you are significantly more protected against severe illness and death, but not all vaccines are 100%. And you never know how a COVID-19 infection will affect you, until you are infected. COVID-19 is 100% preventable, by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask, physical distancing, washing hands regularly, and avoiding groups of people, especially among anyone who does not live with you. If you have symptoms, stay home and use the interactive CDC symptom self-checker. It will provide you will recommendations and actions to take. It is also in various languages. |
A traditional winter holiday celebration with family and friends who do not live in your home, will put you and your family at risk from being in close proximity from spending time indoors. Even if family members and friends have been vaccinated and at their home with no symptoms and healthy, being together can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19. The safest and lowest risk of exposure, if to have a virtual holiday celebration by having a "live" social media experience or simply sharing on social media, will help to keep you, your friends and family safe and healthy. Keep it healthy.
Holiday Activities to Avoid
Keep yourself, and your friends and family safe from COVID19 by avoiding the following celebration activities and instead join together with a virtual holiday celebration. Next year you will be happy that you avoided non-home personal contacts and celebrated virtually instead.
In-person contact of those who do not live in your home with you. If an unexpected guest visits you, call or text them as you see them arrive, ask them to wear a mask, maintain at least 6 feet apart (no hugging, kissing or shaking hands), and remain outside. It is perfectly fine to explain that you want to be safe this year.
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Safe and Healthy Virtual Holiday Celebrations
This year, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's or have other winter holiday traditions, celebrate these virtually to keep you, and your friends and family safe from COVID19. It is safest to also stay home and not travel.
Traditional Christmas, Hanukkah or other holiday dinners or celebrations only with those who live in your home. Make it a virtual "live" social media video/chat experience or simply share video or photographs on social media. You can toast live together virtually, eat together virtually, and share your experience, while celebrating and keeping COVID19 safe.
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Getting through the holidays after loss of a loved one. Click to find ways to help you get through the holidays after loss of a loved one
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Stress-free Holidays. Even during normal years, holidays can be stressful, but with COVID19 will make things different such as virtual celebrations. This holiday season will be different, but it is different for everyone. Remember that it is fine to do things differently this year, reach out and call someone if you feel sad or anxious. For more information click to find helpful ways to have a stress-free holiday.
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Additional helpful holiday safety tips:
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Plan Ahead for Unexpected Guests
Plan ahead for guests that might come unexpectedly by contacting them to let them know that you feel it is safest for this year to have a virtual celebration instead of in-person. It is better to be safe than sorry.
This season, find ways to connect with loved ones without the risk of spreading the virus (English)
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Este año, El Covid ha sido un invitado no deseado en nuestras vidas. No dejes que también se apodere de tus celebraciones navideñas. Esta temporada, encuentra maneras de mantenerte unido a tus seres queridos sin el riesgo de propagar el virus.
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Virtual Holiday Celebrations & Activities
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