Tis the season for social distancing

Play it safe this holiday season when hosting family and friends

Can’t decide how big of a turkey to buy for your upcoming family feast? Planning a big Santa shindig this December? You may want to rethink your holiday festivities this year and take pandemic-related precautions if you expect to congregate with loved ones over the next few weeks, the experts agree.

“COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon, and new waves of infection will likely occur in the fall and winter — just as the holiday

season begins,” says William Li, MD, an internationally renowned physician, scientist, and COVID-19 researcher in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “The holidays are times when large numbers of family and friends gather together and socialize indoors, often over meals. But these are the exact circumstances when the coronavirus can spread.”

To reduce your risks, it’s smart to play it safe and plan extra carefully if you’ll be hosting a holiday dinner or seasonal gettogether this year.

“Try to make your event small. The fewer number of guests, the better,” says Li, who recommends limiting your party to 10 people or less if possible.

That may mean excluding seniors for their own good.

“Try to make your event small. The fewer number of guests, the better,”

“You probably don’t want to invite your elderly grandma, who is more vulnerable to COVID-19. Instead, let her know that you’re thinking of her safety and health, and offer to call her by phone or Zoom during the party,” recommends Jaime Engebretson, owner and executive event planner for J’aime Events in Minneapolis.

If your climate is amenable, consider eating and gathering outdoors, perhaps around a fire pit, if you can.

“Open-air parties are safer because the coronavirus is quickly dispersed outdoors,” Li notes.

“Make sure you know exactly who is coming well ahead of the event. Some people may decide to bring someone at the last minute, which is not advised right now,” says Shanina Knighton, clinical nurse scientist and infection preventionist for Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “Tell your guests ahead of time they should wear a mask, prepare to socially distance, wash their hands as needed, and take necessary measures to decrease the risk of transmission.”

Before and after your party, disinfect all surfaces thoroughly, including countertops, doorknobs, handrails, light switches, tables, and chairs. Upon arrival, greet your guests with a bottle of hand sanitizer or show them where the restroom is.

“If you’re going to hug someone, agree to do it in silence and allow your faces to be lateral to each other — not face-to-face. Encourage elbow-bumping instead,” Knighton advises.

When it comes to the meal, avoid a buffetstyle dinner. You don’t want multiple people touching the same serving utensils and trays. “It’s best to designate one person for serving the edibles and refreshments,” says Laurie Wilkins, founder of Philadelphiabased Call Outdoors.

Provide your guests with a small brown paper bag they can put their masks in while eating.

“Potentially consider staggering guests who will eat or breaking up space to allow for social distancing while eating,” says Knighton. “And discourage the sharing of any beverage bottles or glasses.”

Holiday traditions like indoor or outdoor caroling, karaoke, meeting with Santa, wine exchanges, and gift exchanges may have to be shelved until next year, or done carefully.

“Ask your guests questions about what would make them feel more comfortable with these traditions,” Knighton says.

Also, try to keep the festivities relatively short.

“All-day-long parties that involve drinking, watching sports on TV, dinners, and into the night carousing should be off the table for now,” Li cautions.

Of course, if you or another party attendee starts to feel under the weather or experience COVID-like symptoms, or if you’ve been exposed recently to someone infected with the coronavirus, steer clear of the gathering.

“Additionally, if you cannot accommodate your guests space-wise, if you are overwhelmed with planning and don’t have adequate support to ensure both safety and fun, and if you lack adequate cleaning and disinfecting supplies to support frequent hand and environmental wipe-downs, it’s best to cancel your holiday hosting plans altogether,” suggests Knighton.

Remember: We’re experiencing a historymaking, rare event that has affected people worldwide. And as of this writing, there is still no vaccine.

“The holidays are about the joy of togetherness and celebrating relationships. But it’s not worth risking getting yourself or someone you care about sick with COVID-19,” insists Li.