A week from Thanksgiving Break, what precautions should you be taking to keep you and your family safe?
November 16, 2020
We are one week away from Thanksgiving break which means that people are getting their plans together on whether to head home or not.
The George-Anne reached out to Gemma Skuraton, director of student wellness and health promotions, to see how we could prepare for the break and what we should keep in mind.
“COVID-19 still presents a threat to our community,” said Skuraton. “While we cannot predict the future, we can participate in prevention behaviors in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Scientists are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.”
Due to the two week incubation period of the COVID-19 virus the preparation should start two weeks prior to leaving for the holidays in order to slow the spread.
If you are heading out of state check the final destination’s current travel requirements departure and arrival procedures. Minimize potential exposure during the weeks prior to traveling by minimizing unnecessary interactions and get an influenza vaccination.
Any exposure could lead to a quarantine which requires a delay in any travel.
When it comes to the day of travel there are also precautions to be taken for those of us who make longer journeys for the holidays.
Reduce the number of stops whether it be driving stops or flight stops. Delay your travel if you are ill or have been exposed to someone who is ill in the last 10 to 14 days. If taking public transportation, maintain social distancing, wear facemask, consider using a face shield, take precautionary measures if using public facilities, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or disinfectant wipes. Re-check the travel requirements for your destination in case they might have changed.
The guidelines and precautions aren’t limited to just the process of getting to your destination but also apply to when arriving at your destination.
If your household has a vulnerable or high risk individual you can create a quarantine area in the home including for eating meals. If a full quarantine is not possible then maintain your distance from household members, wear a face mask, avoid close contact the first 14 days, and consider putting a HEPA filter unit and opening windows to increase air flow and circulation.
Skurato also provided the following sources where students could get more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
