December Celebrations during COVID-19
There may be snow. There will certainly be lights, cookies, decorations and gifts. But due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there should not be dinners, parties or large or even small gatherings during Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s. People should change their expectations and holiday plans in 2020 to protect themselves and others.
“We don’t want your friends and loved ones welcoming the new year in at our hospitals,” said Memorial Health System chief medical officer Raj Govindaiah, MD. “We can’t stress this enough. Stay home, be safe and celebrate with members of your immediate household.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to seek out lower-risk alternatives to celebrate the December holidays. Here are some of their recommendations.
- Host a small dinner with only the people who live in your household.
- Prepare traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Deliver them in a contact-free way.
- Host a virtual dinner and share recipes with friends and family. (See easy instructions for how to utilize online technology below.)
- Watch special holiday occasions, sports events, parades and movies from home.
Memorial Health System is thankful for the community’s efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Host a Virtual Gathering
Below are some tutorials from popular platforms to host your virtual gathering with family and friends this holiday:
Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19
Download a COVID-19 recommendations handout to share with family, friends, community members, employees and others. Following the handout recommendations can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information at Choosememorial.org/covid19.
Related Articles
Next Best Thing: Host Online Holiday Gatherings
Big Family Can Equal Longer Quarantine
How to Count Your Blessings Together Online This Year