How does one prepare for a COVID-19 free Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza and New Year? After all, we’ve been dealing with COVID-19 for almost 2 years now. So, it should be easy…. right?
Wrong. It’s never going to be easy. We may have a vaccine for it now, but there are still people who are not vaccinated for COVID-19. At the same time, we have The Delta variant, and now the Omicron variant beginning to circulate. We know you’re exhausted, and some of us are forgetting the COVID-19 safety guidelines we once had down like the ABC's.
AFC Urgent Care Danbury has you covered with a guide on how to prepare for a COVID-19 Free Christmas.
Step One: Get Tested And Vaccinated For COVID-19 And The Flu
Thankfully, 2021 brought us new testing options like The Rapid COVID-19 test and options for COVID-19 vaccines.
The first step to prepare for a COVID-19 Free holiday is to plan ahead for testing or getting vaccinated for COVID-19. This will be your safest bet to keep everyone safe from COVID. The winter is also notorious for other viruses like the flu, colds, norovirus, or hand, foot, and mouth disease. Plan ahead by getting a flu shot and constantly washing your hands to avoid spreading germs. Know the differences of Colds, flu, and COVID-19 in the chart below:
If you’re planning a gathering or multiple gatherings during the month of December you should keep in mind those who are not vaccinated. We highly recommend having everyone get tested, regardless of vaccination status so that you’re protecting those who are at high risk or immunocompromised. AFC Urgent Care Danbury offers COVID-19 Rapid testing on a walk-in basis.
Step Two: Know Your Travel Destination
Going away for the Christmas holiday? Know your travel destination. All airports require everyone to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. The CDC also updates their guidance on travel regularly. This includes travel information for vaccinated folk and unvaccinated individuals.
Domestic travel doesn’t require vaccination for COVID-19, but you still need to prove a negative PCR test in order to travel. If you are vaccinated for COVID, you’re good to fly locally in the U.S without any travel delay.
International travel has more restrictions because most countries around the world still have high counts of COVID-19 cases or resurgence in cases. Traveling is still restricted in a good many countries and getting more restrictive, now with the newest omicron COVID-19 variant beginning to emerge. The CDC recommends you get vaccinated for COVID-19 as the best safeguard to protect against COVID-19 and to fly with fewer restrictions. If you are unvaccinated, check your destination for rules on quarantine, and when to get a COVID-19 test before you go and before coming back to the U.S.
Step Three: Monitor Symptoms After Gatherings
We already know the precautions for gatherings are distance, ventilation, wearing masks, and washing our hands frequently. This has been drilled in us for almost two years now. But, the important thing is to monitor symptoms after gatherings to avoid going to future gatherings and spreading COVID-19.
3-5 days after a gathering you should think two things:
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Test for COVID-19
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Alert others if you test positive
AFC Urgent Care Danbury Mill Plain Road Can Help Test You For COVID-19
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or going to one, know that you can have peace of mind by coming to our center for continuous Rapid COVID-19 testing any day of the week. There is no appointment needed when seeing us and we’ll be able to provide results on the same day.
***Plan ahead as the holiday's progress, wait times may vary depending on the demand.
If you need to get vaccinated for the flu, we also offer it 7 days a week. We have the quadrivalent flu shot for all ages, including seniors.
