How to celebrate the holidays during a pandemic

written by SUSAN HURD

RSVP PROJECT MANAGER GUARDIANSHIP CARE MANAGER AND COMMUNITY EDUCATOR WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING INC./AREA AGENCY ON AGING

The holidays are quickly approaching, and many people have questions about social distancing, masks, new traditions, food, finances and high-risk family members. The recommendations

The Washington County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend:

• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from those not in your immediate household. • Wear a clean cloth face mask, which protects others from you. • Stay home if you are ill. • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hot, soapy water.

• Use hand sanitizer that has an alcohol base of 60% or more. • Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose or mask with dirty hands. • Hold gatherings outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces. • Cough or sneeze in a tissue, or into your elbow or sleeve. • Frequently clean and disinfect high-touch areas such as handles, door knobs and light switches. The planning

After a family determines whether to gather, the planning begins. Every successful get-together starts with preparation.

Here are some things to consider if your family plans to celebrate in person: • How many family members or friends are you planning to host? • Is there enough space for all your family? • Is it going to be a formal or casual gathering? • What will be on the menu? • Are you pulling out the fine china or will you use paper plates? • What is your family expecting of you? Will everyone lend a hand and do their part or will the host make it all happen? • How much time will it take for you to prepare and set up? Will the host have a few extra hands to help with prep and setup? • Are you taking precautions because of the pandemic? If so, plan to communicate this to your family in advance. • Are there any other family traditions that you plan to incorporate? The meal

After all that forethought, if it has been determined that you want to continue traditions and make them pandemic-friendly, it’s time to coordinate the meal.

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• Consider having the meal catered and served to each family member. Keeping budgets in mind, ask each person to pay a certain amount so nobody has to miss out on socializing during the meal. • Or, host a potluck and have a family volunteer serve everyone to prevent numerous hands touching utensils. • Have extra bottles of hand sanitizer that has an alcohol base of 60% or more available for guests to frequently sanitize their hands. • Add extra tables, and utilize multiple levels of a house, if possible, and space – such as a heated garage – to allow social distancing. Encourage households to share the same table.

The traditions (old and new) • Play games that allow social distancing, such as bingo, charades or "Family Feud.” • Instead of just an ugly sweater contest, have an ugly mask contest, too.

Do you want to get together, but this sounds like too much work? Or are you concerned that you don’t have enough space?

Your family and loved ones could do a virtual gathering this year. That is always the safest way to prevent the spread of illnesses and enable everyone to get together. I wish everyone a happy, healthy holiday season! — Places

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