The holiday season is near. And let’s face it – this year the holidays will not look and feel the same as we’re accustomed to. New Jersey is seeing its COVID-19 cases rise once again as we face a looming pandemic winter. Cherished activities that we take for granted – gathering with the extended family around the Thanksgiving table, or hitting the stores on Black Friday – put us at risk.
As I write this, New Jersey is now recording more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases daily. The transmission rate is climbing and at this time is 1.25, meaning that an individual with coronavirus is passing the virus along to more than one person.
But there is good news too: Our hospitals made significant strides in treating patients with COVID-19 – writing the playbook – and there are new therapeutics for treatment. N.J. hospitals also have space and supplies to care for COVID-19 patients, and have enacted strict protocols to ensure safe, secure care for those with COVID-19 separate from other patients. We also are seeing less severity in the cases we’re treating in part because masking and social distancing help reduce viral loads of those infected.
However, we cannot underestimate the risk of COVID-19. It continues to pose the greatest public health threat in a century, and it is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to make informed decisions about our holiday gatherings this year. Bigger is not better, and closeness isn’t about physical proximity – it’s about emotional connectivity.
With guidance from public health authorities like the CDC and infection preventionists and other clinical professionals, there are many things to think about for a holiday season unlike any we’ve experienced before.
What is the level of COVID-19 cases and spread in your area? N.J. hospitals report COVID data daily, and that information helps form the State of New Jersey’s data dashboard at https://covid19.nj.gov. Consider not only the COVID activity in your community, but also in the areas where your potential guests are traveling from. Whether they’re arriving by plane, train or automobile, holiday travelers may be exposed to the virus in their communities and along their journeys, and you do not want to extend that risk. You also must think about the health status of your family and loved ones. Senior citizens or those with underlying health conditions are much more vulnerable to this virus. Sadly, we’ve seen that truth reflected in the COVID-19 mortality statistics. CDC data shows that adults 65 and older account for 16 percent of the U.S. population but 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths.
Holiday gatherings create a prime opportunity for COVID-19 to spread. If you decide to host or attend a holiday gathering, make sure it is small in numbers, short in time, well-ventilated and socially distanced. Wear a mask, except when eating, and wash your hands frequently. Make sure to stay home if you’re sick. Gathering with safety precautions in place reduces the risk to you and your loved ones.
2020 is a year unlike any that we have experienced in our lifetime.Let’s treat the last of 2020’s holidays with caution and care. In the grand scheme of this unprecedented year, we can endure these essential precautions to help ensure that next year, we can all gather together to count life’s blessings.
Nurse Talk guest columnist Cathy Bennett is president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association.
