MADISON, Wis. – With the winter holidays on the horizon, UW Health officials encourage the public to find ways to connect virtually this holiday season to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Now is the time to be especially vigilant when it comes to wearing a mask and socially distancing. Wisconsin is still facing very high numbers of COVID-19 infections. And while a vaccine has been approved, it is still a long way from being available to the general public.
“The vaccine news is encouraging but we are not done yet. Much like we did at Thanksgiving, we are encouraging people to avoid large gatherings,” said Dr. Jeff Pothof, chief quality officer at UW Health. “We need the community’s help in fighting this pandemic. Our hospitals are very full right now and an uptick in cases from holidays gatherings could threaten our ability to care for everyone.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending everyone celebrate the holidays at home with only the people who live in your household.
It is hard for us not to be with family, especially around the holidays, and staying connected in other ways is important for our health. Some options for staying connected with friends and extended family include –
- Plan for video calls or shared meals over video visits
- Have a virtual game night
- Send holiday cards, gifts or baked goods
- Give friends and family a call on the phone.
Dr. Pothof is available for interviews.
