Millions of people will gather at parties this weekend to watch the football game of all football games. With the coronavirus and influenza still present across most of the country, the American Red Cross has steps people can take to avoid getting sick if their plans include watching the big game at a party.
While the number of COVID-19 cases are falling across the country, both COVID and influenza are still a concern and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following if you are planning to attend a party to watch the game:
- One of the most important things you can do is stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu. While it’s hard to miss the party, it’s better to avoid spreading illness.
- Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
- If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and are aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask indoors in public.
- Testing before a gathering can give you information about your risk of spreading COVID-19. Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who do not live in your household. Stay home if you test positive, even if you do not have symptoms
WASH YOUR HANDS One of the most important steps to take to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands properly, especially after using the bathroom or when preparing food. For visibly soiled hands, first wash with soap and warm water. When using soap and water:
- Wash with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, covering the entire hand including fingernails and under jewelry.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly with a disposable towel.
- Use the towel to turn off the faucet.
If using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Rub thoroughly over the entire hand, including nail areas and between the fingers.
- Continue to rub until the product dries.
PARTY TIPS
Other steps to avoid getting sick include:
- Hosts should use plastic cups or provide a way for people to identify their drinks. People shouldn’t let anyone else drink out of their glass.
- Give every dish a utensil for serving, including those snack dishes like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.
- Do not share food. Avoid anything that involves sticking your hands into a bowlful of food.
- Hosts should also make sure there is plenty of soap in the bathroom. Instead of a hand towel, use disposable hand towels or a roll of paper towels.
- If you plan to host a party and someone in your household becomes ill, move your event to a different location.
- When greeting friends and family, avoid the usual kisses and handshakes.
- Study these food safety tips from the CDC.
- Celebrate game day safely – don’t drink and drive. Check out more safety information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.