2020 has been a year of challenges and changes throughout the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our approaches to family gatherings, travel, work, and even daily routines. Now, faced with months of colder weather, opportunities for outdoor socialization are dwindling and social distancing is becoming a greater challenge. To help you navigate the winter season in the safest way possible, WellcomeMD has compiled a few key pieces of advice.

Get Your Flu Shot

U.S. health officials recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine every flu season. Although getting vaccinated early in the season is ideal, getting a flu shot even into January can still be beneficial.

A new study suggests that a flu shot might reduce your susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. The vaccine may trigger the body to produce “broad infection-fighting molecules that combat disease,” according to the Scientific American.

“The hope is that the shots will prevent a winter ‘twindemic’ when both influenza and COVID-19 may spread,” says WellcomeMD’s Dr. Betsy Miller. “The threat of someone suffering from two infections at once is reason enough to make time for a flu shot.”

Ask your WellcomeMD physician for flu shot information during your next visit.

Continue to Wear a Mask

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, wearing a mask remains vitally important to help mitigate the virus spread. The CDC recommends that anyone age two and older should wear a mask in public or when near people who do not live in their household. While masks provide some protection to the person wearing them, they are meant to protect those around you in case you are infected with the virus but are not showing any symptoms.

It’s important to note that masks are not a substitute for social distancing, and they should be worn properly for maximum effectiveness. “Before putting on your mask, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds to reduce contamination of your mask,” says Dr. Miller. “Be sure to cover both your nose and mouth and secure the mask under your chin.”

Consider Outdoor Activities when Possible

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets released into the air when talking, coughing, or sneezing. When indoors, person-to-person spread is more likely because you are sharing more air with less ventilation than when you are outdoors. Outdoor activities are less risky and there are still ways to enjoy outdoor social interaction as the weather turns cooler.

Parks are a great option, with ample opportunities to explore, hike, and safely share a picnic meal outdoors. The National Park Service’s find-a-park website helps lead visitors to parks that are open and shares guidelines and restrictions related to numbers of visitors, mask requirements, and more.

The CDC offers its own guidelines for visiting parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities to ensure your visit is the lowest-risk possible. Spending time outdoors and staying physically active contributes to mental and physical health, but it’s important to take precautionary measures and make smart decisions to protect yourself and others.

If parks don’t appeal to you, there are ways to create a social distanced environment closer to home. After all, being housebound doesn’t have to mean being relegated to indoors. Fire pits and outdoor heaters are in high demand right now, as people are preparing their outdoor spaces for the winter months. Outdoor heaters provide a solution for smaller spaces like patios or decks. If you have the yard space, a fire pit can provide the warmth needed to comfortably sit outdoors and socialize at a safe distance even during colder months.

Follow Social Distancing Guidelines

Social and physical distancing remains strongly recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Staying at least 6 feet away from others reduces your chance of coming in contact with the virus.

The CDC has developed recommendations for common social activities like dining out, hosting gatherings, and traveling overnight. Maintaining social distance when engaging in each of these activities is integral to your safety and the safety of others. Keep the following tips in mind:

Stay home if you feel ill
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting social gatherings; use soap and water when possible and alternatively use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Focus on sanitizing immediately before eating food or after touching any common surfaces like hand railings, payment kiosks, door handles, and toilets
If hosting a gathering, remind guests to stay home if they don’t feel well and keep a guest list of attendees in case future contact tracing is needed
When dining out, call ahead to inquire if a restaurant guarantees 6 feet of distance between guests or offers no-contact service
Renting a house or cabin with people from your household is lower risk than staying at a hotel or at a friend’s home
Before making an overnight lodging reservation, research sanitization practices
During your overnight stay, choose contactless options when available, from check-in to room service

Learn Your State’s Travel Guidelines

The CDC still warns against international travel and cautions about travel within the U.S. Some states are requiring 14 days of post-travel self-isolation, regardless of whether or not you are symptomatic. Stay updated with specific state guidelines compiled by CNN here.

Google has also developed alerts to help you prepare before leaving home. When you search on Google for information like hotels, flights, or activities, it will show COVID-19 travel advisories or restrictions for your destination. The technology company also introduced driving alerts in Google Maps to notify you about COVID-19 checkpoints and restrictions along your route.

Stay informed with WellcomeMD

Visit our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resource Center for continuous updates here.

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