COVID-19

Is it safe to have family gatherings during the holidays?

Sofia Tomacruz

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Is it safe to have family gatherings during the holidays?

HOLIDAY SEASON. Artisans hang their Christmas lanterns made from abaca fibers in their stall at the UP grounds as part of the Mandako Kito Artisanal Festival.

Mau Victa/Rappler

Health experts advise against large gatherings and mixing households as the threat of the pandemic is still present

After nearly a year of physical distancing and limiting trips to public spaces, can Filipinos celebrate the upcoming holiday season with their friends and loved ones?

The Department of Health, along with medical experts, have stressed that the threat of the pandemic is still present and with it, the risk of spreading COVID-19. 

Nationwide cases have plateaued but it’s no reason to be complacent when observing minimum health standards. Medical experts highlighted the importance of wearing masks and face shields, practicing frequent hand washing, and observing physical distancing when possible.  

“Even though we see a lowering trend in the number of COVID-19 cases, this is not irreversible. We need to maintain our caution especially for the upcoming holidays. Everyone should remain vigilant as the threat of the pandemic is still here,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Thursday, December 3. 

The DOH has also advised people against having large family and social gatherings, warning it can be a source of transmission for the coronavirus. 

“It would be wiser, at this time of pandemic, to simply stay at home during this Yuletide season and limit the celebration to household members only,” Duque said on Thursday, December 3. 

Reducing risk

While public health officials urged people to limit their gatherings, they are aware many may still get together with others to celebrate the holidays. In such cases, health specialists strongly advised people to practice harm reduction measures. 

Duque said the DOH listed 6 “peligro” or risk factors one should consider in their holiday activities, specifically: 

  • The number of people
  • The density of people in an area which would make the observance of physical distancing difficult
  • Duration of the activity
  • Ventilation of the venue
  • Nature of the activity
  • Ability to use personal protective equipment like face masks and face shields

The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 or HPAAC listed 4 must do’s that include important precautions and reminders to protect agains the virus, namely:

  • A – Air circulation (outdoor activities are much safer than those held indoors) 
  • P – Physical distancing (A one-meter distance reduces the risk of transmission up to 80%)
  • A – Always wear face mask and face shield 
  • T – Thirty minutes interactions or less

“Ideally, we should all keep safe at home and just celebrate with members of our own household. But if gatherings can’t be avoided, let us be guided by APAT DAPAT, and keep our guard up against the virus,” said leading epidemiologist and HPAAC convenor Dr Antonio Dans during a recent webinar. 

How strict should you be?

Dans said there is no one solution that will fit every scenario. What’s important and necessary is that one should plan and carefully consider the risk of COVID-19 spreading in a certain venue. 

“If the risk is higher, you need to be more strict,” Dans said in Filipino. 

Factors to consider include family members who may be more vulnerable when infected by COVID-19. If someone is a frontliner, the possibility of spreading the virus even if they aren’t showing any symptoms should be taken into account and prompt more precautions to be taken. 

On the other hand, if someone is showing symptoms of the disease, it’s best to leave as soon as possible and check with one another if they are experiencing any symptoms. 

Families should also take protective measures if a member has had a long commute using public transport or if a family member has flown in from a different country. 

Aside from this, families should also strictly observe health measures if unfamiliar with the personal protection measures guests have taken on their own. 

“Avoid face to face meetings during the holidays if you cover many situations like this,” Dans said. 

Why it matters

As the situation of the United States has shown, health experts in America anticipated a “surge upon a surge” in cases after the recent Thanksgiving holiday since many people traveled across the country to celebrate the occasion with family. 

While the US had recorded a spike in cases even before the holidays, the experience illustrated the risk of gatherings as a vector for spreading COVID-19. 

Just some 4 to 5 months ago, the Philippines was in the thick of its own surge in COVID-19 cases, which packed hospitals in Metro Manila and placed the country’s healthcare system in a critical zone. 

Pandemic officials like National Task Force Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr also pointed out in August that hospitals reported alarming trends of family-wide infections, many stemming from the workplace or family reunions. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Sleeve, Clothing, Apparel

author

Sofia Tomacruz

Sofia Tomacruz covers defense and foreign affairs. Follow her on Twitter via @sofiatomacruz.