From Ascension St. Vincent’s
BIRMINGHAM — The holiday season brings many annual traditions which often result in large gatherings and family get-togethers.
Experts at Ascension St. Vincent’s offer these tips to keep your friends and family safe by following good public health practices.
Celebrate Safely:
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Share a meal with only the people who live in your household.
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Prepare meals and treats for delivery. If you deliver them in a way that doesn’t involve contact, this can be a great way to safely share the holidays with family, friends, and neighbors.
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Have a virtual dinner with friends and family.
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Shop online rather than in person.
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Watch sports events, parades, and movies from home.
Make Safe Choices:
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Avoid travel. Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
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Be mindful that a COVID-19 test only shows if you have COVID-19 at the moment of your test. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, it can take up to 14 days to develop symptoms or test positive.
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Stay home as much as possible.
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Wear a mask when you are in public or in a place with people outside of your household.
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Maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance between yourself and others who don’t live with you.
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Wash your hands frequently
Events to Avoid:
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Gatherings with people from outside your household.
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Crowded indoor spaces.
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Crowded parades or race events.
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Shopping in crowded stores.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Offers These Considerations for Events and Gatherings