Start Re-thinking Your Holiday Plans Now. We Need to Keep Each Other Safe

Even if we made dramatic changes as a country today, we would not see the result for two to three weeks, probably four. What’s happening now would take us between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get under control—and we’re not actually making the dramatic changes that are necessary. We know that the current federal administration and the governors who are letting this spread are not likely to to have an epiphany (although the Governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, actually instated a statewide mask mandate for the first time for many gatherings today; Iowa has a positive test rate of 21.3 percent—currently the second-highest infection rate in the country). 

We need people to act responsibly and locally, to make small changes that will add up in the larger communities. If we wait for local officials to take control, it may not happen. People need to act responsibly in their families and in their communities and encourage others to do the same. You need to presume that everyone everywhere is a walking asymptomatic patient. You need to wear a mask every time you’re outside of the house. If you’re symptomatic at all, you need to be tested. If you find you’ve been positive or you’ve been exposed to someone who is positive, you need to quarantine. 

I’m glad you mentioned the federal government—we have not exactly seen the best behavior there, have we? 

We have seen very poor modeling from the federal government. We talk about asymptomatic spread, which is important, but we’re glossing over the fact that the vice president has definitely been exposed and has not quarantined. People see that. It has an effect on how seriously people take medical advice. People start to say, Oh, I don’t think it’s an exposure. A new administration will not immediately bring us new science, but they are going to be better messengers. Until then, people need to do the work. 

So, the dreaded question: What does this mean for the holidays?

We should not have large family gatherings for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. It’s not fun. But finding out your teenage son infected your grandmother is not the Christmas you want to have. It’s hard—and it’s going to make a difference. I know you’re tired. But please act responsibly, and remember that even if this virus hasn’t caught you yet, it will unless you continue to be vigilant.

The post Start Re-thinking Your Holiday Plans Now. We Need to Keep Each Other Safe appeared first on Honk Magazine.

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