Socializing safely this summer
During the summer, families and friends look forward to backyard cookouts and gatherings at home. Pediatrician Kerry Sease, MD, offered advice on how to enjoy time together while preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“Make sure you can stay at least six feet apart. If you’re going out, try to avoid places that are really crowded. If you do find yourself in places where you can’t stay six feet apart, make sure you’re wearing a mask. This is really important. When I wear my mask I protect you, when you wear your mask you protect me,” said Dr. Sease.
Do we have to wear masks during a backyard gathering?
“If you feel comfortable that your company has been socially distancing and following the stay-at-home orders, you can probably have them in your backyard without having a mask on. Again, try to keep six feet apart from each other when you can. And if you can’t, keep your mask on. There’s no harm in keeping it on and it’s certainly a way to protect all of us,” she said.
Can we share food during a cookout?
“It’s best that you try not to share communal food. If you’re grilling, try to make sure people can pick up their own food and get it onto their plates using things you can throw away, like paper plates and plastic utensils. Try to avoid food that people grab with their hands, like chips in a bowl. Make sure everyone has their own food items,” said Dr. Sease.
What about using the bathroom?
“In terms of letting people in your home to use your bathroom, it’s probably a good idea to designate one bathroom just for guests and have paper towels for them to use after washing their hands rather than using a communal towel. And as always, I would have lots of cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer available for everybody,” said Dr. Sease.
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