Six tips to enjoy the holidays while celebrating safely

Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go ... well, maybe.

The holidays are a time of gathering and spending time with your loved ones and friends. Unfortunately, cases of COVID-19 are on the rise, which also mean that hospitalizations and deaths continue to increase as well.

This may mean that the safest way to celebrate Christmas and New Year's is to celebrate at home with people who live with you. Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you increases the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.

This holiday season, CCH urges you to consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and our community healthy and safe. Below are six tips to enjoy the holidays while celebrating safely. 

1. Hold a intimate, fancy dinner with only people who live in your household. There are several grocery stores and markets in town where you can find unique food options to explore with your family. 
2. Prepare your family's traditional recipes for other family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and deliver the goods individually wrapped.
3. Hold a virtual dinner and share the recipes with family and friends.
4. You can still shop local by shopping local merchants' websites or social media pages. And, if you must go in person, make sure you wear your mask, watch your physical distance by staying six feet from people outside your household, and wash or sanitize your hands often. And, always stay home if you are ill. 
5. Watch your favorite sporting events, parades, and movies from home. 
6. Virtually attend your church's ceremonies to keep you and others safe; or, if you do attend in person, be sure to wear your mask and watch your distance. 

Check out the CDC's considerations at Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings.

You can also check out other articles on travel below.

• Mayo Clinic: Coronavirus travel advice
• Mayo Clinic: COVID-19 (coronavirus) and holiday celebrations: Tips for gathering safely
• Mayo Clinic: COVID-19 and the holidays: 5 things to consider before participating in group gatherings
• Mayo Clinic: Should you travel for the holidays?

Please keep yourself healthy, and don’t delay your health care if you need it. If you think you have COVID-19, please call your provider or 307-688-1000 FIRST before coming to the hospital or a clinic. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results, and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. If you are in crisis and need to talk with a counselor please call 307-688-5555.

Get more information at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or www.cchwyo.org/covid19.