Stay Safe at Home This Holiday

December 16, 2020

We know that holiday celebrations are important for many people in Oregon. Though many traditions involve gathering with our friends and family, this year the best way to honor loved ones is to celebrate at home with only the people we live with.
If you are considering gathering with people you don’t live with, here are some tips for making the decision:

  • Check your county risk level to see what gathering size is allowed.  
  • Talk to the host about what steps are being taken to increase safety.  
  • Gathering outdoors is safer than indoors.  
  • Wear a mask indoors and outdoors.  
  • Avoid shouting or singing.  
  • Stay home if you are sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have or have been exposed to COVID-19.  
  • Remember, it’s OK if you decide to stay home and remain apart from others. Do what’s best for you.  

Rather than canceling the holiday celebrations, plan your festivities and maintain your traditions with those in your household and include others virtually, including:

  • Lighting candles over video together with family and friends near and far.  
  • Singing holiday songs with singalong.  
  • Watching holiday-themed movies as a family.  
  • Crafting or baking and dropping off what you’ve created without contact.  
  • Playing a game over the internet.  
  • Viewing holiday decorations around the neighborhood with people you live with, either by foot or car.  

You Are Not Alone Page Provides Help and Resources
We know that physical distancing can create increased concerns. Resources are available now for you or someone you  know, including help with isolation, mental health, domestic and sexual violence and more. Help lines are confidential and offer translation services. Find resources at oralert.gov/not-alone.

There’s Still Time to Protect Yourself and Others by Getting a Flu Shot 
Since COVID-19 and flu could spread at the same time this winter, it’s important to get a flu vaccine to protect against flu illness and serious flu complications, such as lasting conditions getting worse or pneumonia. 

Getting a flu shot helps keep you and your loved ones healthy. The flu shot may take up to two weeks to become effective so getting it before flu season peaks is a good idea.  Find a flu vaccinator near you at vaccinefinder.org.

Your Bubble is Bigger Than You Think
While social bubbles can help lessen the risk of spreading COVID-19, they can also give people a false sense of safety. It's still safest to limit socializing to the people you live with. If you do choose to gather with another household, consider the risks involved.

OHA Updates Guidance For Quarantine 
If you’ve been near someone who has COVID-19, you may have been exposed to the virus. You will need to quarantine to keep from spreading the virus to someone else. Quarantine means keeping someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.  

If you have been near someone with COVID-19:   

  • Stay home and at least six feet away from everyone, including the people you live with, for 14 days.   

A 14-day quarantine is the safest option to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. If you have not had any symptoms, you may consider ending quarantine early:   

  • After 10 days, without any testing, or   
  • After seven days, if you have had a negative result from an antigen or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that was administered less than 48 hours before you end quarantine.   

If you choose to shorten your quarantine period, there is a small chance you may spread the disease to others post-quarantine so it is critical that you continue to monitor yourself for symptoms daily.  

If you develop symptoms, you should continue to avoid contact with others and call your healthcare provider to discuss testing. 
Staying away from others can be difficult. It’s important to take care of yourself during these times. Here are some ideas for self-care during quarantine:  

  • Take time to do things you love – watch a movie, read a book or work in the garden.    
  • Connect with loved ones and friends over phone or video.   
  • Cook something you enjoy, or order contactless food delivery.    
  • Do something creative like art, woodworking or crafting.    
  • Exercise at home.    
  • Meditate.    

For support and resources or if you have questions during your quarantine you call 211 or visit the 211 website.

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