Holidays In A Pandemic: Mask Up!
The Genocide Bird Holiday
is coming up as well as all the other Winter holidays. It’s been customary for me on this day, to get together with one of my oldest friends to do meal delivery for a community center in the Upper Westside. I usually recruit any other friends who want to join in and afterwards we have a big brunch where the discussion always leads to the various atrocities of Columbus and colonialism. This year as infection rates are rising during a global pandemic, I just don’t feel comfortable doing any of my usual activities. I’ve really struggled with the decision not to do it because I know the center is low on help when any other year they’d have to turn volunteers away. If you feel healthy, have been isolating and would like to help them out by volunteering your time use this link to sign up. Please know that there are always risks, only do what you feel comfortable with and consider those you live with or will be in contact with for the next 2 weeks.
Because I see patients on a weekly basis and knowing how the novel coronavirus is commonly spread —by asymptomatic carriers having close contact with others, reducing my social contact with people is just a decision I’ve made and I feel comfortable with it. I really want to be able to work, but more importantly I want to not be a hazard to people I’m trying to help.
Here Are Five Safe Ways To Prepare For The Holidays.
Don’t get on that plane to visit your loved ones. Cancel plans. Don’t go to that dinner party. DON’T.
Discuss in detail with people you live with your exposures and discuss how you’re going to limit them greatly during this crucial time when infection rates are rising in NYC and all over the country.
Have a talk (over the phone) with those you might have had plans with about how the hospital workers are being overworked and traumatized by attending to the too many COVID patients.
Schedule a zoom call where you prepare your favorite meal or desserts with friends and family. Facetime your brunch/dinner.
Make a list of all the people you haven’t spoken to in a while and schedule phone calls with them.
Please read the CDC’s holiday recommendations here.
Do You Love Your Mask?
This isn’t going away tomorrow. We all have a stake in this. If we can all do a good job and reduce infection rates, businesses can stay open, we can visit our parents. Let’s all get our heads in the game. Stop saying things like “I’m tired of wearing a mask”. I get it, but we need to change our attitudes and stop thinking this will be over soon. Love your mask. We will be wearing them for a few years. Even longer if we can’t all get our sh*t together. I know a lot of people are using fabric masks and I’ve even heard of people who thought they were being responsible and careful still contracting the virus. Though this information is anecdotal, I suggest we consider double masking in situations where you will have close and prolonged contact with others. A surgical mask under a fabric mask, 2 surgical masks or an KN95 with a surgical mask on top. *This is not medical advice. Please consult your primary care provider if you have medical questions.
Here are some testing resources in NYC:
I’ve also created a Black Friday special Gua Sha Community Class that we can do together on Zoom!
Let’s all stay home separately, together!
By Emily Grace Siy, L.Ac.
November 16, 2020