February 1, 2021
Have a super (and safe!) Sunday
Follow these fun tips to gather virtually for football festivities with your fellow fans.
Gatherings during the annual Big Game traditionally involve football fans, tons of cheering, halftime entertainment, commercial critiques, and lots of food. This February 7, with the coronavirus still posing a significant threat to our communities, it’s important to understand and consider the risks involved with gathering in person for the game.
Physicians and clinicians at Kaiser Permanente support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance that holding virtual-only activities and events is the best way to continue to protect yourself and others, as gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19.
“We all want to gather during these traditional celebratory moments throughout the year,” said Kaiser Permanente national infectious disease leader Paul Thottingal, MD, “but getting through the pandemic is also a team sport that requires each of us to do our part. Continuing to follow these simple safety measures — wearing a mask, watching your distance, and washing your hands — is still the most effective way to slow the spread.”
Watching the Big Game at home with members of your household is the safest choice. Here are some creative ways to enjoy the game with others while staying apart.
If you still choose to host or attend an in-person event for the Big Game, Kaiser Permanente recommends you follow the CDC’s considerations to reduce your risk of exposure.
- Host or attend outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces.
- Limit the number of attendees as much as possible.
- Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing. People from the same household can be together — but 6 feet away from other groups.
To further protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19, always remember to:
- Know you’re healthy before you go. Don’t plan to gather if you’re sick or with someone who is sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
- Wear a protective mask. Cover your nose and mouth when in public settings.
- Watch your distance. Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from your household.
- Wash your hands frequently. Using soap and water, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. And avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
