 By Taylor Hill ’22 (Image Credit: huffingtonpost.com, Wildpixel via Getty Images) As December progresses and the temperature drops, the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb. This past week alone, positive cases in the United States increased by 29%, setting a record for the number of cases, deaths and hospitalizations, despite the actions taken by government officials. After almost a year of living with the novel coronavirus, we, as a country, are almost in the same position as we were in the spring, with businesses having a maximum capacity limit or even being shutdown. Mask mandates and other rules continuously limit our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the virus shows no signs of slowing down and is projected to continue its surge through the country at an alarming rate throughout this winter season. So, what exactly does this mean for the holidays? As most of us experienced this Thanksgiving, many families decided to celebrate individually instead of in large groups. That meant minimal travel and skipping out on some of the traditions that make Thanksgiving special to those who celebrate. Although Thanksgiving was not as enjoyable to many in smaller numbers, the rules do not have to be the same for the upcoming winter holidays. There is still a safe and fun way to celebrate during the pandemic.
As long as you continue to practice the safety precautions encouraged by experts, the upcoming holidays can still live up to your expectations. If you’re looking to reconnect with your friends and family during winter break, the best way to do so is over Zoom. Zoom allows us to have virtual gatherings without putting anyone at risk. On the other hand, if you’ve been wanting an excuse to get out of a family event, the pandemic presents a perfect reason not to see relatives who can get under your skin. To be completely safe, it may be necessary to create new traditions that fall in line with the COVID-19 guidelines. Even while in quarantine, there are still many holiday activities that you and your family can participate in. You can go outside with your friends or family and drive through a holiday light show, go shopping for decorations to make your house as festive as possible, or participate in a local holiday event, as long as you wear a mask and follow proper social distancing guidelines. Suppose you’d rather stay inside by the warmth of the fire. In that case, you can decorate Christmas cookies, make a holiday playlist to listen to on repeat, or just get comfortable in a Christmas onesie and watch a holiday movie. It is essential to take some time out of your day to make memories with those closest to you. Even amid the pandemic, this holiday season can still be merry and bright. Sources https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20201110/can-you-safely-host-holiday-events-during-covid https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/holiday-gatherings-safety-covid-19-pandemic https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g34452103/quarantine-christmas-ideas/ Comments are closed.
|
