December is going to go by quickly and before you know it we’ll be in 2022! We just made it through Thanksgiving, and that was exhausting, and here we are in Chanukah already. We hope that you are being safe and have been following COVID-19 safety precautions. After all, December has the most holidays in one and you’re probably going to have back-to-back holiday gatherings.

The good thing about ending 2021 is that we now have vaccines for COVID-19 and newer and faster testing options like the COVID-19 Rapid test. The bad part is that not all of us are vaccinated so we need to ensure that we’re enforcing COVID-19 safety precautions so as to avoid anyone becoming sick. We also should be focusing on monitoring our symptoms as the weeks go by to avoid spreading it.

AFC Urgent Care Dedham wants you to be safe and COVID-19 free with this Christmas 2021 guide on gathers and safety precautions to keep in mind.

COVID-19 Is Not The Only Virus To Worry About This Holiday Season

We mentioned earlier that there are still people who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 yet. Kids ages 5 and up fit this category because they only became eligible as of recently. On top of all of this the winter season is notorious for colds, the flu, norovirus, and even hand foot, and mouth disease.

Flu Shot or COVID-19 Vaccine? Avoid the Twindemic by Getting Both

Now, don’t freak out. We know that symptoms often overlap with some of these illnesses, especially colds, flu, and COVID-19, so here is a chart to break down the differences:

We are also seeing patients come in for hand, foot, and mouth disease. It is contagious, but it’s not COVID-19. So, if you have symptoms of rash on your hands and feet, or sores in your mouth, that’s not COVID-19. You can come to see us any day of the week to be evaluated and treated.

Holiday Travelers Should Keep These Safety Precautions In Mind 

All airports and airlines require you to wear a mask to board a plane, so make sure to pack extra masks and sanitizer for your trip. If you plan to travel during the holidays, make sure you know your destination and the steps you need to take to travel safely. 

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not required for traveling domestically in the U.S. However, you should check your destination as a negative PCR test is required at least 1-3 days before traveling. The CDC also recommends getting tested when you return. If you are vaccinated, you’re good to fly without any delays. 

As for international flights, The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as most countries are still red zoned for high cases of COVID-19, and with the newest Omicron variant beginning to emerge we can’t be too careful. Being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will be your safest bet to avoid the virus as well as avoid any delay in your travel plans. If you’re not vaccinated, follow these rules by The CDC. 

AFC Urgent Care Dedham Wishes You A COVID-19 Free Christmas Holiday

AFC Urgent Care Dedham is open 7 days a week for your urgent care needs. There is no appointment needed when visiting us and we are ready to help with COVID-19 testing for the holidays.

***As the holidays approach, wait times for COVID-19 testing may be longer than usual. Plan ahead as the demand for testing for the holiday's increases.

AFC Dedham also offers flu shots to avoid the twindemic as well as X-ray services, physicals, treatment for cuts, sprains, lacerations, and a whole lot more at a fraction of the wait time and cost it would be at the ER.