Are holidays the same without family and friends? Many think not. Nearly 2 in 5 report they will likely attend a gathering with more than 10 people and a third will not ask guests to wear masks, according to a new national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
While some reported they will take precautions at holiday gatherings, such as social distancing and asking those with COVID symptoms not to attend — they also said they plan to gather with more than 10 people and will not ask guests to wear masks.
This holiday season, combined with cold weather that is forcing gatherings inside where the virus can more easily spread, presents new challenges and increased anxiety as families struggle to find ways to celebrate together without running the risk of spreading COVID-19.
“The safest solution is the one that people don’t want to hear,” said Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, chief quality and patient safety officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He suggests families find ways to communicate virtually and cancel in-person plans.
“If you have someone in your household who's high risk and you're in a low incidence area, you're going to want to think twice about having a celebration where people are coming from an area where there's a lot of virus in the community,” he said.
Source: Newswise November 12, 2020