Christmas is this Friday and New Years Eve the week after. Our staff at United Alliance want to wish everyone a safe and happy, and healthy, holidays!

This year, the Holidays will feel different. The COVID-19 virus is still ravaging the US, according to the CDC, to date there are 17,790,376 cases in the US, with a staggering 316,844 deaths.

In the spirit of Christmas, there is renewed hope. There are now two vaccines being distributed and administer to people, and the COVID virus may soon be over.

This is great news. However, now is not the time to stop practicing the safety protocols we’ve all learned to live with.

With Christmas and New Year’s now upon us, the CDC, and many state governments, are asking people to restrict travel plans and family gatherings, in an effort to keep people safe until the vaccine is available for all.

If you do plan to travel and either attend or host a holiday event with family and friends, the CDC provides steps you can take to ensure a safe and healthy time.

 Holiday Travel – Question to Ask to Help Keep Safe

(Image source CDC website)

If you are considering traveling for the winter holidays, here are some important questions to ask yourself and your loved ones beforehand. These questions can help you decide what is best for you and your family.

1. Are you, someone in your household, or someone you will be visiting at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?
2. Are cases high or increasing in your community or at your destination?
3. Are hospitals overwhelmed with patients who have COVID-19?
4. Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers?
5. During the 14 days before your travel, have you or those you are visiting had close contact with people they don’t live with?
6. Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or airplane, which might make staying 6 feet apart difficult?
7. Are you traveling with people who don’t live with you?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should consider making other plans, such as hosting a virtual gathering or delaying your travel.

How to Make Winter Holiday Celebrations Safer

Whether you plan to attend a holiday gathering or hosting a party in your home, here are some steps to consider in your planning:

Attending a Gathering

(Image source CDC website)

If you plan on attending a holiday gathering with people who don’t live with you, here are some steps to take:

1. Wear a mask
2. Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, utensils, and condiment packets.
3. Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
4. Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces
5. Avoid shouting or singing.
6. Wash your hands often
7. Get a flu shot as soon as possible
8. Stay home if you are sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19.

Hosting a Winter Holiday Celebration

(Image source CDC website)

If you choose to have guests at your home, make sure that everyone follows the steps to make holiday celebrations safer. Other ways you can make your celebration safer include:

1. Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
2. Limit the number of guests.
3. Have a small, outdoor celebration with family and friends who live in your community, weather-permitting.
4. Have extra unused masks available for your guests and encourage everyone to wear them inside and outside.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
6. If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This will pull fresh air in through the other open windows.
7. Have a separate space for guests to wash their hands or provide hand sanitizer.
8. Keep background music volume low so guests don’t need to shout.
9. Cancel your gathering if you or someone who lives with you is sick or has been near someone who thinks they have or has COVID-19.
10. It’s okay if you decide to postpone or cancel your gathering.

We’re Here to Help

In these challenging times, the risk of exposure is more prevalent than ever. We offer the following safety service options:

COVID-19 CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.

COVID-19 TRAINING (INFECTION CONTROL WEBINAR) – We offer Open Enrollment Classes and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.

COVID19 TESTING – We now offer COVID-19 Testing Services For Colleges, Universities, Private Companies, And Public Agencies

If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.