Wellness

CCNW COVID-19 Holiday Recommendations

Posted: October 26, 2020

As many people across the country begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, the CDC has offered their holiday celebration guidelines to help protect individuals and their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19.

With cancer patients being in the high-risk category for contracting COVID-19, Cancer Care Northwest recommends that our patients and their families follow the CDC’s low-risk suggestions during the upcoming holidays. These recommendations are safer, alternative ways to celebrate!

Halloween Lower-Risk options
These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

Thanksgiving Lower-Risk options
These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives:

• Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household
• Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others
• Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family
• Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday
• Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home

While we understand it can be difficult to celebrate the holidays differently than in years past and away from extended family and friends, it is extremely important that our immunocompromised patients stay healthy and safe. This holiday season may be a good time to start a new family tradition, try a new recipe, or explore virtual communication options to feel more connected.

 

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season,

Cancer Care Northwest

 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html