Americans have been told to ditch singing, loud music, and alcohol consumption during this year’s holiday season.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas at our doorstep, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminded Americans about the pandemic and how household gatherings can affect our current situation in a negative way.
To help people prepare for the festivities, the CDC has released a series of guidelines that Americans should adhere to in order to counter the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Among other guidelines, the authority warned that longer gatherings come with a higher risk of virus transmission.
“Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more greatly increases the risk of becoming sick and requires a 14-day quarantine,” the guidelines read.
People have also been urged to wear face masks, wash their hands, and social distance during gatherings to reduce the risks.
“Gatherings with more safety measures in place, such as mask wearing, social distancing, and handwashing, pose less risk than gatherings where fewer or no preventive measures are being implemented,” the CDC announced.
“Use of alcohol or drugs may alter judgment and make it more difficult to practice COVID-19 safety measures.”
Americans have also been warned to stay away from singing and loud music so that “people don’t have to shout or speak loudly to be heard.”
Where possible, people holding gatherings are also encouraged to “increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather, or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation.”
People who should avoid festivities completely include those who have Covid-19 symptoms, those who are waiting for coronavirus test results, and those who have been diagnosed with the disease and have yet to meet “the criteria for when it is safe to be around others.”
In addition, people who may have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 in the last two weeks and those who are “at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19” should also forget about attending this year’s gatherings.
As an alternative, the CDC has advised people to hold virtual gatherings and see their family members from a safe distance.
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