As the country gears up to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend, health experts are offering advice on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The biggest risk on July 4th is usually fireworks, but this year many are worried about the potential dangers of holding social gatherings and celebrations during the pandemic. Health professionals are especially concerned about the upcoming holiday as COVID-19 cases continue to climb across much of the U.S.
The most important precautions to take will be keeping gatherings small and staying outside. With no vaccine available in the near future, it’s important to not stop celebrating holidays, but instead focus on finding new ways to celebrate.
While the safest way to celebrate would be with only immediate family, there are still some ways to reduce the risk of spreading the virus for those celebrating with others:
- Go out only if you are feeling healthy. Stay home if you feel sick.
- Avoid large crowds and stick with smaller gatherings.
- Celebrate outdoors.
- Bring your own food, drink, cups, and dining utensils.
- Don’t share food or drinks.
- Practice social distancing, with at least six feet of distance between people.
- Wear a mask when you arrive and keep it on when you aren’t eating or drinking.
- Avoid touching the mouth, nose, or eyes when out and about, before having a chance to wash the hands.
- Bring your own hand sanitizer and use it before and after you eat.
- Wash your hands when you get home.
Tips to Protect Yourself if you Travel:
Protect yourself and others during your trip:
- Clean your hands often.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating.
- If soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with others.
- Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.
- Wear a cloth face covering in public.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Pick up food at a drive-through, curbside restaurant service, or stores.
