Hello Friends,
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, here are a few reminders that will keep your family and friends safe.
We are making sacrifices now so that by next Thanksgiving we will most likely be back to normal. Our primary responsibility is to prevent deaths. I am also concerned about the health of local businesses. We can help by keeping COVID numbers down as much as possible.
The safest approach is to avoid gatherings that include people who are not members of your immediate household. If you will be hosting or attending a gathering that includes a member of another household, please remember that such gatherings are limited to no more than 16 people. While we strongly recommend against social gathering this Thanksgiving, our health officer has issued the following guidelines to reduce risk for those who decide to attend a holiday event this year:
GUIDE TO HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
1. Smaller is better
Gatherings with more people pose more risk than gatherings with fewer people.
• Keep the households you interact with stable over time and limit how many you interact with.
• Indoor gatherings pose more risk than outdoor gatherings. Ensure proper ventilation, such as open windows or doors and good air flow. Wear face coverings while gathering indoors.
2. Fewer is better
The more gatherings you attend, the higher your risk. Gatherings that have attendees from other cities, states or countries pose a higher risk than gatherings with attendees who all live in the same area.
Residents who are older or immunocompromised should avoid gatherings with people who do not live in their household and stay home as much as possible.
• Remind and encourage attendees to adhere to physical distancing and wear face coverings.
3. Shorter is better
The longer the gathering, the more risk for contracting COVID-19. Limit gathering time as much as possible. No gathering should last more than 2 hours.
4. Outdoor is better
As much as possible, keep gatherings outdoors. If this is not possible, leave windows open and avoid poorly ventilated areas.
5. Distanced is better
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people you don’t live with. Minimize gestures that promote close contact, like hugs or handshakes. Seating should provide at least 6 feet of distance in all directions.
Visit the county’s Roadmap to Recovery page for more information:
I wish you a warm and safe Thanksgiving.
