Holiday Get Together Guidelines

In the wake of a pandemic, many people will be downsizing Thanksgiving traditions.

Bringing together people from diverse areas and travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
If you do travel for the holidays, you may consider quarantining before and after getting together with family.

Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others and being with more immediate family or those who you regularly interact with.

Halie Anderson, MD at Rapid City Medical Center, says, “That’s a really hard thing to wrap our head around, because we are social beings and we want to show love to those people in the ways that we normally do though our traditions and things like that. But I do think it’s worth considering… is it worth potentially, you know, propagating or spreading that which could be harmful to your elderly grandmother.”

Anderson reiterates the main focuses to prevent spread- masking , washing hands and social distancing.

Anderson also adds, “With freedom comes responsibility, and in this time I think… remembering this is not about you- its about us and about the other people and if there is anything we can do to promote kindness and well being and in the holiday spirit if you will, in terms of gifting other people with good health.”

Click here for a full list for CDC guidelines for the holidays.