Celebrate Labor Day safely: Prevent the spread of COVID-19

After months under stay-at-home orders, and summer coming to a close, families are eager to get out of the house, enjoy the warm weather, and connect with friends and loved ones.

While this feeling of restlessness can make it tempting to loosen our adherence to COVID-19 precautions, now is the time to continue doing the things that have helped to slow community transmission. Proper hand-washing, social distancing and wearing face coverings are the best ways to reduce spread of the virus until there is a vaccine for COVID-19.

Labor Day weekend is typically known for end of summer barbecues and pool parties. Although things look different during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are some tips to celebrate the Labor Day weekend safely with your family:

Celebrate virtually

Use technology such as FaceTime, Zoom or Skype to enjoy conversation over a meal together, especially if you are celebrating with family members over the age of 65, or those who are immunocompromised and have underlying conditions that put them at greater risk of complications from COVID-19.

Dine alfresco

Having a picnic in the backyard is an easy way to enjoy the outdoors and maintain social distancing. You can set up blankets or tables for those who live in the same household 6 feet from others. Be sure to use disposable tableware. Have one person, who is wearing gloves, dish up food onto plates. Or, consider purchasing boxed meals to reduce contact.

Wash or sanitize hands frequently

If you are dining in the backyard, you can set up a hand-washing station with a garden hose and soap dispenser. Also, have hand sanitizer made with at least 60% alcohol readily available.

Wear face coverings or masks

When not eating or drinking, keep your nose and mouth covered. Have a most creative or most festive mask contest.

Take temperatures

Make sure that no one at your gathering has a fever or other symptoms of illness. If you are sick, please stay home and take care of yourself.

Limit the size and length of time of your gathering

The more people you have spending time together in close proximity, even in the outdoors, increases the risk of exposure.

If you need medical care during this time, rest assured that it is safe to visit your CHOC pediatrician or a CHOC emergency department. We know it can feel scary and stressful to have a sick child, especially during a pandemic, so here are tips for deciding where to go for care during COVID-19.

It’s important that each of us continues to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. This environment has not been easy, and although at times it may feel like there is no end in sight, the truth is that every day we inch closer to the development of a vaccine. We remain hopeful that our lives will return to something far more normal one day soon.