This holiday season, the goal is to spread cheer, not COVID-19. It’s the hardest time of year to follow health guidelines, but it’s important to stay vigilant. After all, until a vaccine is available to the masses, hospitals are liable to become overwhelmed, leaving more people unable to receive the treatment they need. Implement these tips to enjoy the holidays safely.

• Adhere to social distancing guidelines: You’ve heard it time and again over the past several months—wear a mask when out in public, stay at least six feet away from others, and avoid large gatherings.
• Keep celebrations local: Your safest bet is to spend the holidays with members of your household. It’s risky to celebrate with extended family who must travel long distances to reach you. If they are asymptomatic, they may bring COVID-19 with them unknowingly.
• Take advantage of technology: Call, text, or video chat with loved ones over the holidays to help you stay connected without the dangers of traveling or hosting a large gathering. You can check in throughout the day and even share a meal in different households by communicating over a virtual platform.
• Minimize risk at holiday parties: If you decide to gather with others from outside your household, ask guests to self-quarantine for 14 days before the event. Then, have everyone wear a mask, avoid hugging one another, and maintain a six-foot distance as much as possible.
• Clean and disinfect often: COVID-19 doesn’t just spread through close personal contact. The virus can also survive on some surfaces for hours, potentially spreading from an infected individual to anyone who touches the same doorknob or light switch, faucet or appliance handle. Stop the spread at the source—regularly wipe down shared, high-touch surfaces in your home, whether you have guests or not. Then, avoid touching your face and wash your hands frequently.
• Recognize the symptoms: While the coronavirus affects people differently, some of the most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, and fatigue. Other signs include loss of taste or smell, sore throat, aches and pains, headache, red eyes, nasal congestion, diarrhea, or skin rash. If you think you may have COVID-19, self-isolate until you recover, even if your symptoms are mild. Call your doctor for additional support if needed.
• Strive to live a healthy lifestyle: You are less likely to become infected if you have a healthy immune system. Boost your ability to fight off disease by eating well, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep.

If a family member or employee is potentially exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19, the cleanup crew at DKI can disinfect your home or business and reduce the spread of the virus. As experts in 24-hour infectious disease control, we are highly qualified to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays. Call us at 844-354-2255 or contact us online to schedule coronavirus cleaning and disinfection services today.