With Christmas just right around the corner some people are concerned if they will be able to see if they can see their family members and travel with this deadly pandemic going on. Just last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the weekly Covid 19 hospitalization rate was at its highest point since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 287,000 Americans have died from Covid.

Most people have suggested to stay home this year with thousands of deaths happening and with everyone in ages from newborn even to older at risk. For example, London says it will be quiet during new years. London has decided to cancel fireworks in the city, and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street party is off. Some people will still be going out of town to see their loved ones on this holiday, but they will be using the Covid guidelines and staying 6 feet apart. But others are staying home safe with their families and not dealing with risking their family and themselves from getting exposed to this pandemic.

People are trying different strategies to deal with the pandemic while also preserving holiday traditions. For instance, Knoxville has passed a new rule that you cannot have more than 10 people in a gathering or all together at once because of the deaths. On Christmas if you and your family are still going to be together for the holidays they highly recommend to just use Microsoft Teams or else Google Duo or any other facetime device to talk to each other and spend time with each other since different families have different age groups.Traveling is also discouraged with Covid being an airborne disease because you could catch the virus by travel like Airports, Bus  Stations, Train Stations, Public Transportation, Gas Stations, and Rest Stops because you can be exposed to the virus in the air and on the surfaces.

If you are at a gathering and you are 6 feet from someone who has Covid for a cumulative of a total of 15 minutes or more, this greatly increases the risk of becoming sick and requires 14 days of quarantine. But if you do decide to go on with normal traditions even with the pandemic going on you can still comply by having everyone 6 feet apart the entire time; guests should avoid direct contact including handshakes and hugs with others outside of their households; try to have the gathering outdoors rather than indoors. Wearing cloth masks can prevent people infected with the virus that causes covid from spreading it Make sure your cloth mask fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, completely covers the side of your face, completely covers the nose and mouth, is secured with ties or ear loops, includes multiple layers of fabric, allows for breathing without restriction, and can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Also, cloth masks shouldn’t be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapaciated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

 In conclusion, Covid-19 will affect Christmas this year if you don’t exercise caution with the people in your household on this holiday, but there are still ways to connect and keep the spirit alive.