Tis the season to be COVID-19 free, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Going to an event this Christmas? You can’t forget about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the New Year too. December is filled with holidays, so let’s make sure you plan a health and safety checklist when planning a COVID-19 free holiday season.
COVID-19 is still around, although we now have vaccines for it and new testing options. Whether you go to an event or travel, you need to be prepared. It’s not the time of year to throw out all those rules. There are still people that are not vaccinated and if you’re not testing, you’re guessing.
So, gear up because December is going to be a bumpy ride!
AFC Urgent Care West Springfield has put together a health and safety checklist to help you plan a COVID-19 free holiday.
Health And Safety Travel Checklist This Christmas
If you choose to travel, we suggest bringing extra masks, and hand sanitizer with you. There is no airport or airline that will allow you to fly without a mask. You should avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth and make sure that you are washing your hands frequently.
If you’re flying internationally, The CDC recommends you get vaccinated to avoid any delays in travel and to check your destination for any additional requirements like testing before you go. If you’re unvaccinated for COVID-19, check your destination’s guidelines before you go. Most countries are still red zoned for having high cases of COVID-19, and with the newest Omicron COVID variant beginning to emerge, we can’t be too careful.
The U.S requires proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test before returning and international countries require a test to get into their country too. Read the guidelines here.
Do I Have To Worry About Colds And The Flu This Season?
Sure do. We are also currently seeing people coming in for hand, foot, and mouth disease. People are confusing the symptoms so we’re here to clear up the differences for you. It’s important to understand the differences between symptoms of colds, flu, or any other illness to avoid confusion or panic.
The symptoms for hand, foot, and mouth disease are:
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Mouth Sores
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Rash on feet and hands
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Fever
Colds, flu, and COVID-19 have a few symptoms that are similar, but they each have their main differences as shown in the chart below:
Add Flu Shots And COVID-19 Testing To Your Holiday Checklist
This brings us to our next point. Get tested before your celebrations! This way, you are not bringing the virus with you if you do plan on traveling or going to a gathering. Getting tested is one of the most important tasks you should include in your COVID-19 health and safety checklist.
In addition to this, don’t forget to get vaccinated for the flu. Flu season has just started and you don’t want to confuse it with COVID-19. A flu shot will help provide immunity and keep your loved ones safe from getting the flu.
Thankfully, 2021 has brought us vaccines for COVID-19. Recently, kids ages 5 and up have become eligible to get vaccinated. If you haven’t already, get vaccinated for COVID-19, as this is also the best safeguard against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines & boosters are readily available at your local CVS, Walgreens, Primary Care, Stop n Shop, or the state's vaccine distribution sites.
AFC Urgent Care West Springfield Can Help Test You For COVID-19 Before And After The Holidays
AFC Urgent Care West Springfield hopes that everyone prepares in advance and sets the rules when hosting a gathering, visiting family, or going out for Christmas. But, if you need us for COVID-19 testing before you do any of these things, we offer Rapid COVID-19 testing 7 days a week with no appointment needed.
**Due to the holiday traffic and high demands, wait times for COVID-19 testing may take longer. Plan ahead!
We are a full-service urgent care center. Visit us for minor cuts, sprains, X-rays, flu vaccines and your other urgent care needs 7 days a week. With extended hours from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, and weekend hours from 8 am to 8 pm, we make it convenient for all of our friends and families in the West Springfield communities.
