{"id":17160,"date":"2020-11-23T09:00:33","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T14:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=17160"},"modified":"2020-11-23T13:48:25","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T18:48:25","slug":"holiday-family-gatherings-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/holiday-family-gatherings-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday gatherings in the time of COVID: What\u2019s safe and what\u2019s not"},"content":{"rendered":"

A crowd of out-of-state family members gathered round the Thanksgiving table? A December calendar filled with cookie swaps and holiday mixers? An annual Hanukkah <\/span>sufganiyot<\/span><\/i>-making party with the neighborhood kids? Hold that thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no question that the holidays will be different this year. Just like pretty much every other aspect of our daily lives, COVID-19 is making us second-guess our holidays\u2014from travel plans to family traditions. Of course, safety <\/span>should<\/span><\/i> be top of mind: a potentially deadly virus makes a lousy holiday souvenir. And particularly for multigenerational gatherings, elderly and immunocompromised family and friends shoulder a greater risk when large groups gather, says Mike Dean, MD, a family physician in Chicago.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, there\u2019s a false binary in thinking that you can either proceed with your usual holiday plans or stay home solo and sulk, says <\/span>Aaron Carrol, MD<\/span><\/a>, a professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School. Instead, \u201cconsider each holiday and ask yourself \u2018how can I make this as safe as possible?\u2019\u201d A family buffet for 40 might be on the do-not-do list, but there are still ways to celebrate with loved ones this holiday season.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Survival tips for dealing with holiday depression<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How to determine your risk<\/span><\/h2>\n

Not every in-person gathering during COVID-19 carries the same amount of risk. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released<\/span> guidelines<\/span><\/a> to help people assess the risks of various activities into low, medium, and high-risk categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s important to note that location also plays a big factor: If you\u2019re in an area where coronavirus cases are rising or local officials have imposed more COVID-19 gathering restrictions to help limit the spread, it might be safest to move festivities online or severely curb the number of people at your event. On the other hand, if you\u2019re in an area where COVID cases are well-contained and your family lives nearby, gathering may pose less of a risk. Before sending out invites or making firm plans, it\u2019s always worth checking with<\/span> your local health department website<\/span><\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to handle holiday stress<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Low risk holiday activities<\/span><\/h3>\n

The best way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and avoid the virus is to celebrate only with your immediate family. That doesn\u2019t have to mean that others are left out entirely though. You could try hosting a virtual dinner party, so your kids can chat with grandma or sing carols with their cousins from a safe distance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making and sending presents\u2014whether that\u2019s turkey-shaped cookies for Thanksgiving or handmade ornaments for Christmas\u2014is another way to feel connected, without actually coming in contact. For those friends and family who live nearby, you could even do a curbside drop-off and chat at a safe distance. (Keep in mind: The CDC recommends <\/span>wearing face masks around others<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>maintaining at least six feet of space<\/span><\/a>.)\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option is to host a virtual movie marathon, where friends and families at different locations all watch in unison. If you\u2019re fans of Netflix or Disney,<\/span> Teleparty<\/span><\/a> is a free app that synchronizes streaming and supports group chat functions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moderate risk holiday activities<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s hard to make a blanket rule that all family meals are dangerous or all outdoor activities are safe, says Dr. Dean. Whenever you intend to gather beyond your immediate family, the CDC recommends considering these factors:<\/span><\/p>\n