In Case It's Still Not Obvious, Here's Why You Really Need To Limit Your Gatherings During The Holidays | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

In Case It's Still Not Obvious, Here's Why You Really Need To Limit Your Gatherings During The Holidays

We're tired of covid, and the vaccine is coming... but it's not over yet!

16
In Case It's Still Not Obvious, Here's Why You Really Need To Limit Your Gatherings During The Holidays
https://unsplash.com/photos/0I52FCHNjoU

I get it. We've been doing the covid thing for over nine months now. We're tired. We're lonely. We're restless. We want to start seeing people again. We're sick of the Zoom calls.

The covid fatigue is real, whether you're a student, parent, or employee. Everyone's lives has been touched by this pandemic one way or another. Now that a vaccine has been authorized for emergency use, it seems like there will finally be an ending to this unimaginable ordeal.

What people need to understand is the end of the year 2020 will not equal the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. We still have a long way to go until enough people will will be vaccinated before we can start meetings in groups again. We still need to social distance, especially with the colder weather forcing us indoors. Doubled with cold and flu season, COVID-19's winter comeback has proved to be even worse than the initial wave. The holiday season is upon us, and despite it being marked by togetherness and cheer, we need to be smart. Here's why:

Canada experienced a huge spike in covid cases after their Thanksgiving. 

Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated the second Monday in October. This past Thanksgiving, Canada's covid cases significantly increased after Thanksgiving. The culprit? Canadians participating in gatherings and traveling to see loved ones for the holiday. Currently, the country's curve is still on the upwards, with up to 7,000 cases per day. Before Canadian Thanksgiving, Canada barely exceeded 2,000 cases per day. Compared to the U.S., Canada's case numbers are lower, but the statistics don't lie.

Spending times indoors will increase your chances of catching covid.

When the pandemic got really bad in the States back in March, moving events outside was an obvious solution, as the weather was starting to get nicer. Now, with the winter months ahead of us, more people are naturally spending more time indoors. COVID-19 is less likely (but not impossible) to be spread outdoors since covid particles can become diluted in the atmosphere. Having gatherings inside increase the chances of community spread, especially if a room has poor ventilation.

We're already more likely to get sick this time of year, anyways.

Flu season is in full swing. Staying indoors will increase your chances of getting any other illness for the same reasons why covid is more likely to spread indoors. Colder temperatures make our immune system more vulnerable, and it is the ideal environment for the common cold virus to thrive in. The last thing you'd want is to have covid on top of another winter-induced ailment. Also, it'd save you some stress when you're wondering if that tickle in your throat is a harmless cold or coronavirus.

It's the selfless thing to do.

If you haven't realized by now, self-accountability is the running theme of this pandemic. It's up to us to take the precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It could save someone who is a complete stranger to you, but a grandparent, mother, father, or other loved one to somebody else. If you can't do that much for your community, I don't know what else to tell you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189724
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14606
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457605
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26494
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments