Holidays at Parkside

Coronavirus: Celebrating Easter Safely

By: Justin Moll, MD

We are ready. We want to go to our friend’s home for an Easter brunch and not worry about who’s cup our child picked up. We want to not have the urge to spray down our kids’ Easter eggs with disinfectant before they pry them open to explore their loot. We want to attend a church filled with hundreds of people unmasked and sing at the top of our lungs. We want a sense of normalcy and a sense of security.

The coronavirus has been with us for over a year, many of our loved ones are beginning to get vaccinated, and some of us have even recovered from the virus. That being said, there are now different variants of COVID-19 that keep the Upstate’s numbers from dropping how we’d all want them to and, as much as we hate to admit it, we are not out of the corona ridden woods just yet.

So, should you celebrate Easter with friends and family? Should you travel? Should you sit inside all weekend and stare at the news for coronavirus updates?

While I can wholeheartedly not recommend the third option, we at Parkside stand firmly behind the opinion that every situation is different and every family has different risk vs. reward metrics to weigh out as they make decisions about their loved ones.

With this in mind, here are some tips on how to safely congregate this upcoming holiday weekend in our ever-changing covid climate…

Tips to Safely Celebrate Easter
  • Strength, still, does not lie in numbers. Small gatherings are the best bet when getting together with friends and family.
  • The great outdoors are your friend. Ventilation continues to be a helpful tool against COVID-19. If you have friends over for the holiday, keep the Easter egg hunt outside and we’ll all cross our fingers for sunny skies.
  • Mask up, buttercup. Masks are quite effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Therefore they are recommended for anyone over the age of 2 when interacting with people outside of your home/pod.
  • Social distance whenever possible. You know the drill, 6 feet or more to help keep your germs from interacting with your neighbor’s nose.
  • Make hand washing a priority. Washing your hands—and your child’s hands—regularly is a necessity during a pandemic but is also a great habit to maintain anytime. Pack a mini spray hand sanitizer when you leave the house for an easy way to quickly clean hands after touching new surfaces.

Now, a question that I know a lot of people are thinking…

What if You and Your Loved Ones are Vaccinated?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC), we are still learning what all a COVID-19 vaccine does in terms of preventing the spread of the virus. However, if  you are gathering with others who are fully vaccinated and your household is fully vaccinated, you may congregate indoors, without masks, and without social distanced measures. You may also gather indoors with an unvaccinated single household  who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease if your family is fully vaccinated.

***In public, people who are vaccinated should still wear a mask and practice social distancing. They should still take precautions when interacting with unvaccinated, high risk individuals, still avoid larger groups, and get tested if symptoms arise.***

We know all of this information and guidance can feel repetitive and even a bit disheartening. Allow your family space to feel a wide range of emotions while prioritizing safety and peace of mind when making decisions about what is “best” when it comes to celebrating and socializing.

Here at Parkside, we are thankful that in times of uncertainty and doubt, we can feel secure in the resurrection hope that the Easter season brings and that our God’s strength shines brightest in the darkest of moments.

Until next time,

Dr. Justin Moll

Parkside Provider, Disney crier, and dad on fire

RELEVANT TAGS
  • Holidays at Parkside
  • Preventative Care
  • Virus