Invited to a Get Together: Take It or Leave It?

Despite a continued rise in new coronavirus cases, many people have been opting to resume celebrations and get-togethers with family and friends. You may have gotten an invite or two yourself, but how do you determine what is safe and what you should skip? Here are four factors to consider before deciding to head to any type of get-together:

• Time – Consider how long you will be at the place/event. The less time you spend there, the less risk of exposure you will be facing. Close contact to COVID-19 occurs when you are within in six feet of someone who is showing symptoms for at least 15 minutes and neither person is wearing a mask.
• Place - Is the activity or event taking place outside or indoors? If it’s indoors, consider how enclosed or ventilated the space is. We know it’s safer to be outside, but that doesn’t mean that your risk of catching the virus outdoors is zero.
• People - Consider if the people you’ll be interacting with (especially if they’re outside of your direct household) are following and respecting safety guidelines, which include:
  • Social distancing a minimum of six feet from others.
  • Wearing a face mask.
  • Practicing good hand hygiene and cleanliness.
  • Not sharing food or touching common surfaces.
  • Staying home when feeling sick.
• Space - You should also consider if the space has a limit on how many people can be there at one time. This will help you judge how easy or difficult it will be to maintain physical distance from others.

Comfort levels and intention to follow guidelines may vary from person to person. One thing we can agree on is that when you do go out, the best ways to keep yourself safe include practice social distancing, wash your hands and wear a face mask.