TIPS FOR CELEBRATION
How to stay safe during the Holiday season.
STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
As many people begin to plan for the holidays, the State Health Department offers the
following considerations to help protect individuals, families, friends and our community from
COVID-19.
- Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #94 which advises Wisconsinites to stay home to save lives.
- Practicing safe celebrations are key to keeping those we care about healthy, give us the best chance to keep schools open for in-person education, and help keep our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.
- Sheboygan County Recommendations from the Health Department click on link to see recommendations from our health department
Virus Spread Risk Increases During the Holiday Season
Several factors contribute to the risk of getting infected or infecting others with the virus that causes COVID-19 at a gathering, such as:
- the community levels of COVID-19
- number of attendees at a gathering
- the behaviors of attendees prior to and during the gathering, and more.
SEE the CDC HOLIDAY Celebrations for more considerations and alternative ideas
Low Risk Activities
- Having a meal with only people who live in your household.
- Preparing meals for family & neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn't involve contact with others.
- Having a virtual get-together with friends & family. Shopping online rather than in-person.
- Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home
Moderate Risk Activities
- Having a smaller number of friends and family who live in your community over for a meal. Consider hosting outdoors, if possible.
- See CDC's recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.
- Attending a small outdoor event with safety precautions in place, such as physical distancing and mask wearing.
HIGH Risk Activities - AVOID these activities if possible.
- Large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household.
- Participating or being a spectator at a crowded event.
- Going shopping in crowded stores.
The Holiday Season
IF YOU DECIDE TO HAVE A GATHERING - Please keep the following in mind:
- Keep it small. Ensure the space you are using allows for proper physical distancing between guests.
- Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. If indoors, increase ventilation by opening windows to the extent that is safe and feasible
- Ask guests to avoid unnecessary contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.
- Serve a plated meal (food on individual plates before handed out) and not family style (food in shared dishes where people serve themselves).
- Be informed of travel risks. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
Who should not attend in-person holiday celebrations? Individuals who:
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others.
- Have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Are waiting for COVID-19 test results.
- May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or live or work with someone who is at increased risk.
Protect yourself and others around you.
- Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested. Stay home while awaiting results.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don't live in your home.
- Wear a cloth face covering or mask when appropriate.
- Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with a least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Wash hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, remotes, and light switches.
- Get vaccinated against the flu to keep you healthier overall.
Resources:
This Newsletter was put together using resources from the CDC, Sheboygan County and Fond du Lac County Health Department newsletters and websites
About Us
The Howards Grove School District takes pride in providing a caring, child-centered education for all students in their early childhood through grade 12 school district. The approximately 130 professional staff and support staff serve the district's approximately 1000 students in three facilities - one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The district includes all of the Village of Howards Grove (site of all three district schools) and the Town of Herman, half of the Town of Mosel, and parts of the Towns of Rhine, Sheboygan Falls, and Meeme.
Email: cpterson@hgsd.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.hgtigers.org/o/district
Location: 403 Audubon Road, Howards Grove, WI, USA
Phone: 920-565-4454
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howardsgrovesd/
Twitter: @HowardsGroveSD