CDC Advises Against Holiday Travel, Large Celebrations Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
Coronavirus Vaccine Doesn t Alter Winter Holiday Safety Guidance
The CDC advises against travel gatherings and celebrations with those outside your household
LEREXIS/Getty Images As distribution of COVID-19 vaccines gets underway, medical experts are emphasizing that people should continue to stay home for the winter holidays and not celebrate with those outside their own households. (CDC) underscores that travel and gatherings with others increase the chances of contracting COVID-19. There have been more than 16 million cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. and more than 300,000 people have died. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. But medical experts like Brian Castrucci, an epidemiologist and president of the de Beaumont Foundation, an organization devoted to strengthening public health in communities, worry that news of the vaccine's rollout could prompt people to lower their guard when it comes to preventing the spread of the coronavirus. "It is a great achievement that we have the vaccine,” says Castrucci, who often uses a sports analogy to help people understand that they need to remain vigilant. “Don't celebrate before the game is over. If you do, you could end up losing the game." Though has begun, health care workers and long-term care residents are first in line for the vaccine, which requires two doses. It will be many months before the majority of the population has access. That's why it's even more important for people to continue to take precautions around masking, social distancing and travel, says Tom Kenyon, an epidemiologist, a former director of the CDC Center for Global Health and now the chief health officer for Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian relief organization. "The virus is everywhere. This is a very precarious time,” says Kenyon. “We know that at present, most transmission is actually happening from these small gatherings.”
Travel is discouraged
can provide that information.Whether hospitals in their community or destination are already overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. To find out, .around testing or quarantining in their home state or destination. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > For those who decide to travel the CDC recommends: Getting a before you goAlways wearing a mask in public settings, over your nose and mouthWashing your hands often and using hand sanitizer frequentlyIf driving, pack food and limit stopsStay away from crowded, poorly ventilated spaces Castrucci says he is “beyond concerned” that people will continue to ignore medical advice and will take unnecessary risks. “By choosing to visit friends and family outside of your household for Christmas, it puts you at greater risk of not being there for next Christmas,” he says. Advice on celebrating
AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe . If you do plan to see others outside your “bubble,” the CDC guidance says you should: Limit the number of guestsSet expectations for social distancing and masking requirements ahead of timeStay six feet apartGather outdoors, weather permittingOpen windows and doors if celebrating indoorsClean and disinfect frequently touched surfacesBring your own food, drinks, plates, cups and utensils Bill and Jan Lutz, both 85, say they'll get the vaccine as soon as it's available to them. But before that, it's likely the Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, couple will celebrate Christmas on their own. Typically they gather with about 20 members of their family, but they're concerned about contracting the virus. In addition, the couple's continuing care retirement community has quarantine restrictions in place for those who come in contact with family or friends who don't live in the community. Lutz and his wife celebrated Thanksgiving alone (although with family Zoom calls) for the first time this year. "I see the light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine and I'm willing to be one of the first to get it,” he says. “But we don't feel like we can loosen up yet.” Kenyon says people should approach the winter holidays like the Lutzes. “People want a rationale for returning to normal behavior, but we don't have one yet,” Kenyon says. But there are ways to put a safer spin on traditional holiday activities, according to the CDC. The guidance recommends a list of that range from opening gifts or doing cooking or craft projects through video chat. Other ways to bring safe festivity to the season is to drive or walk around your community to , attend virtual religious ceremonies or enjoy outdoor activities. The CDC even addresses those visits to Santa. You can schedule a virtual visit to the North Pole, visit Santa Claus outdoors while wearing a mask and staying six feet away or visit Santa inside with precautions like masks and plexiglass safety windows. Michelle Davis covers home, family and multicultural stories and is a features editor for AARP. Previously, she was the senior writer and social media strategist for EdWeek Market Brief and a senior correspondent at Education Week. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS