We are approaching the third holiday season during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this one is different from the others: Masking requirements and other social distancing guidelines are largely gone.
So what should you do if you are concerned about COVID-19 possibly interfering with your holiday plans? Just take some common-sense precautions, experts say. Here are some suggestions from Bernard Camins, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Medical Director for Infection Prevention for the Mount Sinai Health System.
Pay attention to all your vaccinations. Continue to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. On September 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that those over age 12 get the newest COVID-19 boosters that also target the Omicron variant, and on October 12, the CDC extended that recommendation to those ages 5-11. You should get this vaccine if it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose. Also, don’t forget your flu shot, as this season is expected to be worse than normal. And remember these shots may take up to two weeks for full protection to kick in.
It’s just as important to stay up to date even if you had COVID-19. The newest vaccine provides added protection, according to the CDC. If you recently had COVID-19, you may delay the next vaccine dose for three months from the onset of symptoms or from your first positive test.
When traveling, consider wearing a high-quality mask in crowded public areas. A surgical mask, which is more comfortable than a snug-fitting KN95 mask, provides some protection against viral infections. That might be prudent for a long plane ride. But to ensure better protection, wearing a clean cloth mask on top of the surgical mask, or wearing a KN95 mask or N95 mask is recommended. Also, onboard the plane, the most important time to consider wearing a mask is while the plane is still on the ground; once airborne, the plane’s sophisticated air filtration systems come on. (Two important footnotes on masks: Masking is still required in health care facilities in New York State, and health care facilities in areas where there is high COVID-19 transmission may require them. You are supposed to wear a mask in public if you are just getting over COVID-19.)
Be especially careful at gatherings and celebrations. If you have been dining at restaurants indoors or attending gatherings indoors without a mask on, then you have been exposed to respiratory viruses already. This holiday season, you are probably more likely to get infected during the many hours you are with friends and family around the dinner table or celebrating inside. That’s what happened a year ago when social distancing guidelines were relaxed. So general guidance on gatherings remains: Remember that some people may be more at risk, such as such as older adults, those with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, and those with reduced ability to fight infections, such as those being treated for some cancers. More fresh air is better. You may want to ask those gathering to consider taking an at-home test in advance. Keep in mind these tests are not always sensitive enough to detect the onset of COVID-19 (home antigen tests should be performed at least three times, 48 hours apart after a high-risk exposure), and you could be infected and spreading the virus without showing any symptoms.
Have a plan. Talk with your primary care provider in advance about what you should do if you are at risk for severe complications from COVID-19 and think you have been exposed or start to show symptoms of COVID-19. For example, some clinicians may prefer you get a more sophisticated PCR test, rather than the simple at-home antigen tests. Some people with COVID-19, notably those over 65 or with other health conditions, might benefit from the antiviral therapy Paxlovid—though this must be taken within five days after symptoms start. Talking to your provider in advance can help you know precisely what to do, such as getting a prescription for Paxlovid, especially if you must take action over the weekend.
Recognize we are all learning to live with COVID-19. This viral disease, much like the flu or the common cold, is not going away. But with some basic precautions, it should not stand in the way of spending time with friends and family.