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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2022

Celebrate the Holidays Safely with Tips from the Milwaukee Health Department

MILWAUKEE – The holiday season is a wonderful time to gather with loved ones, reflect on the past year, celebrate accomplishments, and look forward to the year to come. However, with respiratory illnesses heavily circulating, increased stressors, and parties galore, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re celebrating safely and keeping yourself and loved ones healthy. Follow these tips to prioritize health and safety this holiday season:

Protect yourself against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

COVID-19, flu, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are circulating in the community and can become potentially severe for many people. Take preventative measures, such as ensuring you are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccine and booster and flu shot before your holiday gatherings. Vaccinations, especially when paired with other protective measures such as masking, are an effective tool to keep you healthy. To ensure the highest level of protection, get your vaccine or booster at least two weeks before gathering. Milwaukee Health Department Immunization Clinics have free COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and flu shots available without an appointment.

Another tool to keep your gatherings safe is to circulate clean air into your indoor spaces. Spread of COVID-19 occurs via infected airborne particles which can linger in the air we breathe. Though the risk of infection by breathing in particles carrying the virus generally decreases with distance from infected people and with time, there are simple steps you can take to further decrease your risk:

  • Open windows, if the weather permits.
  • If you have an HVAC system, flip the switch to “on” rather than “auto” to continuously circulate the air, make sure to replace your filter regularly, and consider upgrading to a higher-quality filter. For most effective filtration, be sure to change your filter every 30 to 90 days.
  • Turn on fans throughout your gathering space.
  • Make your own DIY air filtration system, such as a Corsi-Rosenthal Box, to clean the air you breathe.

Stay home if you’re sick.

Testing for COVID-19 before gathering is an excellent way to ensure you’re not inadvertently spreading the virus. The Menomonee Valley COVID-19 Drive-Thru has free testing available without an appointment. Rapid at-home antigen tests are also a great tool to utilize. Everyone household in Wisconsin is eligible to order free COVID-19 tests from SayYesCOVIDHomeTest.org each month, or you can check your local pharmacy to purchase tests. Remember, even if your COVID-19 test is negative, stay home if you feel sick. There are many illnesses circulating that you can spread.

Prepare your holiday meal safely.

Foodborne illnesses can quickly ruin a holiday gathering. Each year, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food. Take these simple steps when preparing and serving holiday meals:

  • Wash your hands and kitchen tools thoroughly and often.
  • Don’t cross-contaminate raw and fresh food. Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs. Thoroughly wash any tools that come in contact with raw meats and juices after every use.
  • Make sure your meats are cooked to a safe internal temperature. A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your food is safe to eat.
  • Refrigerate or disposed of perishable foods, including leftovers, within two hours.

Manage your stress and protect your mental health.

The holidays may be a time for cheer and celebration, but for many it can be a stressful, overwhelming or lonely time of year. A study from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), conducted before the pandemic, showed that 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse. Even those without preexisting mental illnesses can feel increased stress when shopping for gifts, traveling, or planning and hosting parties. Make sure you’re taking time to prioritize and protect your mental health this holiday season.

  • Planning ahead and staying organized can help you set priorities and boundaries throughout the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Don’t stretch yourself too thin, be realistic with your commitments, allow yourself to say “no,” and ask for help with you need it.
  • Learn to recognize when you are getting overwhelmed and take breaks to go for a walk, read a book, listen to your favorite song, or meditate.
  • Your physical health can impact your mental health. Eating nutrient-rich foods and a balanced diet, staying physically active, getting at least seven hours of sleep each night, and drinking plenty of water can help your physical and mental health.
  • Seek help if you feel depressed or are considering self-harm. There are resources and people dedicated to helping you. Reach out to a professional or a trusted loved one if you have feelings of despair. The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available with 24/7 free and confidential support by calling or texting 988.

Travel safely and arrive alive.

Gathering with loved ones during the holidays often requires some degree of transportation. Whether you’re flying across the country, taking a road trip, or just driving home from a neighbor’s house, be sure to travel safely.

  • Mask up on public transportation, such as airplanes, trains, or busses. A well-fitting high-filtration mask worn consistently can protect you from respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and flu.
  • Don’t drink and drive. Studies show many Americans increase their alcohol consumption during the holidays. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 837 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver in December 2019. To make sure you and everyone around you gets home safe this holiday, plan alternate transportation ahead of time. Even buzzed driving is drunk driving.
  • Wear your seatbelt. Buckling up can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 51%, according to the NHTSA.

 

Make the holidays a time for celebration and safe gathering by planning ahead and prioritizing the health of you and your loved ones. For more tips on ways to have a healthy holiday season, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s resources.

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