How the CDC Says You Should Celebrate the Holidays This Year

Do you ever wake up and inside your head feel like Captain Kirk is saying, "Coronavirus pandemic log, day 5,004,300.' Sure, it might be a bit overdramatic, but we're all feeling it.

Get our free mobile app

There is very little that this country collectively agrees on these days, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that every one of us is completely over the coronavirus pandemic. We're all tired of the controversy, the mandates, the sadness, the death, the restrictions, the sickness, and the arguing. We all just want this to be done.

Most people want to be with their loved ones. To sit at the same table and break bread with friends and family that they've not been able to be with for one reason or another in quite some time. On the other hand, there are some who hate the holidays and family gatherings and I imagine those people are pumping their fists in the air today and sending up silent thank-yous that they've got an excuse to get out of those uncomfortable holidays gatherings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released its guidelines for gatherings ahead of the 2021 holiday season and if you are looking for every excuse to be anti-social, here it is.

CDC Guidelines on 'Celebrating In-Person with People Outside Your Household"

The CDC recommends that you really only attend in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household if you are fully vaccinated. They also recommend that you wear a mask whenever possible but note that it isn't necessary to wear one if you're outside (unless you're in an outdoor space where you're all crammed in like sardines). The CDC also recommends that if you're attending an indoor in-person holiday event, you should try to bring fresh air into the gathering space by opening doors and windows.

CDC Guidelines on Holiday Travel

The CDC suggests that if you are not fully vaccinated and can avoid traveling during the 2021 holiday season to do so. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, the CDC states that you should follow its "Domestic Travel or International Travel" recommendations. Keep in mind that even if you are fully vaccinated, you will be required to wear a mask when traveling on every form of public transit (this includes airplanes).

Want to see more of what the CDC says? Knock yourself out, it's all right here.