Happy Holidays
Updated: Dec 22, 2021
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
--Mahatma Gandhi
With the holiday season being in full swing,
comes a lot of excitement, cheer, and gatherings of family and friends. The world as we know it is back to as normal as humanly possible, since before to the pandemic. Getting together for birthday parties, barbecues, even date nights almost seem prehistoric. Luckily, we've gotten to a moderate process of picking up where we'd last left off. These things come with a surge in travel and plenty of other human-to-human interactions. Being mindful of the misfortune and setbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic and how it affected our daily lives is key to our future.
Coming on the back of the most recent Delta variant in the B1.1.529 variant, otherwise known as Omicron. On November 24, 2021. South African officials reported cases to the WHO. As of December 2, 2021, 15 different countries reported cases of the Omicron variant. The places of detection were across five separate continents. The CDC also reports this variant is also active in 22 of the United States. Among these cases, some people infected by Omicron have taken vaccinations, while others have not. There's much unknown about this variant, and experts are unsure of the severity of the infection. It's also little known about the spread to other individuals.
Protect yourself and others this holiday season by taking the same precautions we've taken during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. I firmly believe if we made it through the hard part, we could ban together to bring the number of cases down. A common practice of sanitation of hands and surfaces is a huge part of this recovery plan. Would you PLEASE continue to use disinfectant sprays and wipes? Thank you in advance! Remember to sanitize all doors, gas pumps, grocery carts, and anything else with high usage. The key here is routine, routine, ROUTINE! Please remember to practice these habits to play your role in limiting the spread of Omicron and other variants by:
1) Getting vaccinated--Vaccines are available for anyone five years of age or older, at no cost. Taxpayer dollars ensure vaccines to anyone in the United States, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
2) ABC-- Always Be Clean!!!--Wash your hands with plain or antibacterial soap with water, and remember to dry as well.
3) Wear your mask-- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
4) Avoid any unnecessary crowds-- Do your best to practice social distancing.
5) AHHHH-CHOO-- Cover your cough or sneeze using the elbow section of your arm. Wash your hands or sanitize immediately after if possible.
6) **This is the biggest one of them all**-- If you feel under the weather, STAY HOME!!! If anyone mentions they feel under the weather, do your best to suggest they stay home.
We all have a part to play in making sure to slow and eventually prevent the spread. So consider yourselves and others when traveling and gathering with your loved ones this holiday season. We're only as strong as our weakest line, so let's come together to fight Omicron, any past, and any possible future variants. I challenge everyone out there to help one another take this thing head-on. So enjoy yourselves, enjoy others, have a happy holiday season, and cheers to a great new year!
