July 4th fireworks shows, cookouts, and beach vacations will look very different this year. As Covid-19 cases continue to emerge across the country, the question of how to celebrate and socialize safely is the most important thing for many Americans.
This weekend, he is “preparing a perfect storm” for the transmission of the virus, Dr. Joshua Barocas, an infectious disease doctor and assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine, said in a briefing by the Society of Infectious Diseases of the United States on Wednesday. The combination of travel guides, reopening and relaxation of people contributes to increased risk.
Experts say the increase in coronavirus cases in late June dates back to Memorial Day weekend, when the blockades ended in many states and people celebrated the holiday. So what can you do to avoid a repeat situation after the upcoming holiday weekend?
Here’s how to minimize your risk of Covid-19 this Fourth of July:
Stay home only with those with whom you live
Although it’s understandable that people find it challenging, the best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home. We need to balance security with “our individual and social need for interactions,” Barocas said.
It is important to remember that “the virus is not gone,” said Barocas. In fact, Covid-19 is emerging in many states. And the fewer people you interact with, the less risk you will have of hiring Covid-19.
“The surest way to protect ourselves and others from Covid-19 is to continue to take shelter in place and stay home, even if local and state jurisdictions do not have these orders,” said Barocas. If the prospect of being around people or crowds makes you nervous, don’t do it.
Wear a mask and don’t forget the basics
If you are around other people, remember Covid-19’s key prevention measures: practice good hand hygiene, maintain social distance, and wear a mask in public places. (Wearing a mask is completely safe and will not cause CO2 poisoning or decrease your oxygen consumption.)
“These [rules] they all still apply, “said Barocas.” They protect you and can protect the people around you.
Stay outside
If you are socializing with others outside your home, it is best to do it outside, where there is more air flow and room for respiratory droplets to disperse, Barocas said. While outside, you must maintain at least six feet of physical distance from others and, of course, wear a mask.
If you can’t hang out outside, CDC suggests opening windows to increase ventilation.
Skip crowded beaches and pools
“As much as possible, we should avoid places where there could be a high density of people, including swimming pools and beaches,” said Barocas.
In Los Angeles County and some Florida counties, beaches are closed this weekend to discourage people from congregating in groups. In New York City, however, the beaches first opened this summer on Wednesday.
According to the CDC, there is no evidence that Covid-19 can spread through water in hot tubs, swimming pools, and water play areas. Large natural bodies of water, such as lakes and the ocean, can dilute the virus and lower its risk. But even if the pool or body of water is technically safe, people present remain a concern, Barocas said.
Keep children separate
Children should maintain the same social distance as adults, Barocas said. Of course, this is challenging, especially in the play areas. So consider activities that don’t require much interaction with others and that can be done wearing a mask, such as flying kites, kicking a soccer ball from side to side, or going for a nature walk.
If you play with “high contact toys” outdoors, like frisbees and balls, you should clean them with a disinfectant cloth before taking them inside, he said.
Avoid bars and excessive alcohol consumption.
Bars in some states (like Texas, Florida, and Arizona) have closed once again as cases increase. The bars are especially bad news for the Covid-19 broadcast, because they are often full and noisy, prompting people to speak louder and spread more breath drops, said Dr. Ricardo Franco, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. in the briefing.
“If you have bars, you have music. If you have music, you want to socialize. And you want to speak louder than usual in order to overcome the background noise,” Franco said.
On top of that, consuming alcohol and getting drunk can make you less careful about following important safety measures.
Don’t share food
Skip the grill and instead have people bring their own food, drinks and utensils, Barocas said. There is no evidence that handling or consuming food will transmit Covid-19, according to the CDC. But if everyone at the cookout is touching the same items, then eating, the virus could easily spread from a surface to the mouth, nose, or eyes. Or you may have a designated person to serve all the food, to minimize the amount of shared items, the CDC suggests.
“Anything you can do to limit your physical interactions with others will help reduce the spread, even in places where there are low rates,” Barocas said.
It is important that everyone wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before eating to avoid contamination.
Bring your own sunscreen and bug spray.
.
