Parents' Ultimate Guide to Risk-Free Parties
Introduction
Remember the days when parties were casual? When our kids got excited about celebrating with their friends? When the only thing we had to worry about was what to wear and what to bring? The coronavirus pandemic changed every individual aspect of our lives, and with the vaccination campaign well underway, many families are eager to return to celebrations with their loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s still not as simple as sending invitations and ordering decorations. Here’s what parents need to know to mitigate risks and host parties, including the risks you need to consider, ways to protect everyone’s safety, how to check local guidelines, and how to maintain safe behavior during the party.Partying During the Pandemic
Hosting a party during the pandemic isn’t impossible, but it is still risky. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths remain extremely high across the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still recommend that you do not visit people who do not live with you. That said, health officials recognize that we’re frustrated in isolation. They also recognize that there are responsible ways to interact with others and mitigate risk.Risks to Consider
First, you need to know the risks that contribute to the decision of whether or not to host a party in the first place. Several risk factors can contribute to the likelihood of party guests contracting or spreading COVID-19 at an event, and in combination, they create higher or lower risks of gathering. These include:- Number of COVID-19 cases in your community (more cases means more risk)
- The setting of the event (indoor, poorly ventilated areas are higher risk)
- The length of the event (longer events are riskier than short ones)
- Number and crowding of people at the event (more people means more risk)
- The behavior of individuals during the event (risky behaviors like poor mask etiquette, lack of social distancing, singing, or shouting all increase risk)
- Exposure during travel (any stops made along the way to the event increase risk)
- Modifications to Make to Your Plans Pre-Pandemic
Safety Precautions to Take
Your basic safety precautions include:- Social distancing
- Masks
- Hygiene and respiratory etiquette
Protecting Everyone’s Safety and Wellbeing
It takes two to make a thing go right--or, in this case, it takes everyone’s cooperation to make a party safe.As an Attendee/Guest
You should not attend a party if you or anyone in your household:- Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and hasn’t met the criteria to safely be around others
- Has symptoms of COVID-19
- Is waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test
- May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days
- Is at an increased risk of severe illness with COVID-19
As an Organizer/Host
As a host, the same checklist applies--if the list describes you or anyone in your household, it’s not a good idea to host a party. However, as a host, you also have the added responsibility of communicating with guests before the party. Remember, a key element of safety is making sure all guests adhere to safety precautions. Before the party, talk to all of your guests about the safety measures you plan to take and get their explicit agreement to comply with those rules. If they don’t, they put every other guest at risk. Make it clear that you won’t have guests attend if they don’t intend to comply with your safety rules.Checking Local Guidelines/Regulations Before Planning Your Event
With all of that in mind, the choice to host a party isn’t entirely up to you. Because each state and each county has different infection rates, local guidelines can vary widely depending on where you live. Worse, local guidelines may not reflect national safety guidance. The safest bet is to check the guidelines for your city, county, and state and keep your guests apprised right up to the day of the event. If guidelines disagree, comply with the strictest version to ensure your guests’ safety.Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Environments
Planning a party isn’t what it used to be, and in the era of COVID-19, your party planning precautions don’t end with regulations or a conversation about wearing masks.Before the Party
Your work begins before the party to ensure that your environment is safe when guests arrive and that it remains safe to use as the party carries on.- Cleaning and Disinfection
- High-touch areas (doorknobs, countertops, handles, etc.)
- Areas used by young children
- High-traffic areas
- Areas used by individuals at risk of severe illness from COVID-19
- Improving Ventilation
- Use of Physical Barriers and Guides
During the Party
When the party arrives, your work is not done. Even if you spoke with your guests in advance about safety measures, you still need to focus on maintaining safety during the party.- Encouraging Proper Hygiene
- Promoting Safety Around Food and Drinks
After the Party
The party is over, the house is clean, guests have gone home, and you’re all done, right? Not exactly. Unfortunately, sometimes even the most thorough precautions can still result in exposure. It just takes one infected person to spread the virus to others, and because the virus takes 14 days to incubate before someone shows symptoms, someone may not even know they’re sick. Which means that if you host or attend a party, your responsibilities don’t end when the party comes to a close.- Isolating if Exposed to the Virus
- Informing the Host and Close Contacts if You Test Positive
Conclusion
Parties may not look the way they used to, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to celebrate with your loved ones. As long as everyone does so responsibly, you can carve out time to celebrate those special moments. And during the pandemic, it’s even more important than ever to recognize those important moments with the people we love.Resources
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