With the CDC recommending Americans not travel for Thanksgiving, you may be planning to attend a small gathering close to home. Deciding whether to attend a holiday gathering is all about assessing and reducing risk, says Susan Huang, MD, MPH, UCI Health Medical Director for Epidemiology and Infection Prevention. If you choose to attend a gathering, it’s important to take steps to minimize the health risk to yourself and others. We spoke with Dr. Huang about common questions guests may have before attending small holiday events:
What factors should I keep in mind when deciding whether to accept an invitation?
Consider the number of guests who will be in attendance and how many households will be represented. UCI Health recommends three households as the upper limit. Ask the host if anyone present will be at high risk for COVID complications, such as older adults or someone who is immune-compromised. Special care should be taken to minimize the risk of transmission.
Should I bring my children?
Parents should carefully consider their children’s potential exposure. Children who attend school or daycare, for example, may have been exposed to the virus before the holiday gathering but not develop an infection for up to 14 days. Even then, children are likely to show mild or no symptoms, yet could spread the virus to their high-risk elders, who may not fare as well. Consider your child’s age and how well they will adhere to masking and hygiene rules. As disappointing as it might be for grandparents, sending your regrets is the best thing to do if your children put them at risk.
What should I ask my host?
Make sure you understand your host’s expectations for hygiene, masking, and distancing. Ask if there are any items that hosts would normally provide, like utensils, which they would prefer you to bring. Once there, make sure you ask if any spaces are off-limits, such as the kitchen, or if there is a specific bathroom the host would like you to use.
How can I prepare my children?
Children need help in understanding how they can protect themselves and others from spreading COVID-19, especially at a holiday gathering. This is particularly difficult with young children who may not realize they have symptoms. Other children may fear that speaking up will spoil everyone’s holiday. Talk to your children about the importance of speaking up if they are feeling sick. Remind your children that it’s their duty to speak up for everyone’s safety– it’s better to say something early than wait until it’s too late.
Is it safe to stay over with my host?
Even if your kind host invites you to stay over, it may be better to head home or book a hotel room. Consider first whether there’s enough room for everyone in the home. Are there sufficient bedrooms and bathrooms? Are they separate from others to allow physical distancing? Then ask, is there a high-risk person in the home? Are you bringing a two-year-old who is in daycare into a home where someone at high risk for severe COVID-19 lives? If the answer is yes, stay in a hotel. A two-hour dinner is still “close contact” as defined by the CDC but it is far less risky than staying multiple nights with someone who isn’t part of your family group.
What’s the best travel option?
Traveling by car – either alone or with your own household group – is less risky than traveling by plane, train or bus since you have greater control over your environment. If possible, consider renting a car rather than using public transportation.
What can I do in advance to be as healthy as possible upon arrival?
You may wish to self-isolate prior to the event. Being extra cautious with your exposures the 2 weeks prior to an event will reduce the chances that you bring COVID to an event, especially one with a high risk loved one. If testing is available for people without symptoms, you can consider a test for COVID the day before or the day of the event. If you have not done so already, get your flu shot at least two weeks before attending the party. It takes roughly two weeks for a flu shot to be effective.
Ultimately, the best way to lower your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 is to stay home and dine only with those who live with you.
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