Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays

Holiday traditions are important for families and children. There are several ways to enjoy holiday traditions and protect your health. Because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk and keep your family and friends safer is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.

Here are safer ways to celebrate the holidays:

Generally:

• Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
  • Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
    • Outdoors is safer than indoors.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• If you will be traveling in a group or family with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

Special considerations:

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
• If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
• Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

Clarke County School District COVID-19 Dashboard - November 17, 2021

The CCSD COVID-19 Dashboard displays positive cases in the past 14 days and 30 days across the district and by each school, with hourly updates.

As of 4:10 PM on November 17, 2021, the dashboard shows:

• 21 confirmed cases in November 2021
• 69 confirmed cases in October 2021
• 307 confirmed cases in September 2021
• 33 confirmed cases in the past 30 days (59 on Nov. 3* report)
• 18 new confirmed cases in the past two weeks (13 on Nov. 3* report)
• 0.2% of students and staff with confirmed cases in the last 30 days (0.5% on Nov. 3* report)
• 0.3% of students and staff currently in quarantine (0.3% on Nov. 3* report)

Free COVID-19 Vaccine Events

Below are some upcoming opportunities for free vaccinations from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Northeast Health District (NEHD). (Schedules subject to change by NEHD - verify information on the NEHD website.)

• No appointment needed
• Walk-ups welcome
• No insurance required
• No ID required
• $100 gift card incentive program for second shots only (see below)
• Vaccines for 5 to 11-year-olds are available at the county health department clinics – they may not be available via the mobile outreach events unless specifically noted.
• Anyone under 18 years of age MUST have a parent present or a signed consent form.

• Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines at bit.ly/NEHDCOVIDVaccine.
• PublicHealthIsForEveryone.com
• Clarke County Health Department on Facebook