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A Healthy, Happy Holiday Season

The holiday season will soon be here and, with COVID-19 still in our communities, we’re all trying to figure out the best way to celebrate. Usually, the holidays mean getting together with extended family and friends and while there are ways to do that safely, preparations may look a little different this year.

Here are a few things to think about while making plans, to help keep your family safe:

Will guests be coming from out of state?

• Is the state on Maine’s exemption list or have a low rate of COVID-19 infection?
• How will guests travel? While flying is fairly safe, planes are a confined space and shared spaces, such as airport terminals, can pose a higher risk of exposure. With driving, consider the likelihood and number of stops needed, as well as overnight stays in hotel rooms.

Do you or your guests have pre-existing conditions that may put you at high risk of complications if you do get sick from COVID-19? Are there extra precautions you can take to make it safer? Or alternatives to your usual celebration that can be meaningful and keep you connected?

Are there steps you and your guests can take to make the gathering as safe as possible, such as getting tested or isolating ahead of time? It’s important that you understand your test results, how to get a test before travelling, and how to self-isolate effectively.

Don’t forget the things you do to stay safe every day. It’s still important that all guests practice good hand hygiene, physical distancing, and use face coverings inside the home.

Want more information?

• The CDC has excellent resources on how to reduce risks during all types of travel, and has helpful, holiday specific tips and guidelines.
• Recently, James Jarvis, MD, senior physician executive of System Incident Command, Northern Light Health, spoke with NewsCenter Maine reporter Chloe Teboe about the varying risks of out-of-state family coming to visit, measures we can put into place to reduce these risks, and considerations to keep in mind when determining the best solution for your family. You can view that story here.

It's possible to have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season with a little planning.

For more information about COVID-19 and how Northern Light Health is keeping our patients safe, please visit our website.