Thread by @awong37

"Hi Alex, how do I keep my holiday gatherings safe? Do I have to cancel everything?"

Depends on your risk tolerance. If your bubble has persons who are medically vulnerable, elderly, maybe reconsider.

Otherwise, use ALL measures to keep things safe as able.

Brief 🧵. (1/n)

We all know that seeing & reconnecting with friends & loved ones over the holidays is SO critically important. But with the transmissibility of #Omicron, the risk-benefit calculus has changed dramatically again. What do we do now? (2/n)

For starters, MINIMIZE indoor group gatherings where persons are unmasked. At holiday gatherings everyone will be eating & drinking, so keeping these bubbles tight as possible is optimal. Like 5-10 persons max, if you're able. (3/n)

Groups will decide how to address vaccine status. Having as many as possible fully vaccinated is optimal. DO NOT attend group gatherings if you're symptomatic. Stay home and ideally, get tested if possible. (4/n)

To add another layer of protection to the gathering, if you have access to rapid antigen testing, have everyone perform one when they arrive or immediately before hand. Negative tests for all attendees isn't perfect, but it helps. (5/n)

Optimize your ventilation indoors. As able, open all windows that you can, use ceiling fans and indoor fans to help circulate the air. When you're NOT eating or drinking, consider wearing a mask if you're inclined. Do what you're able to OUTSIDE, which is much safer. (6/n)

Think about your bubble. Are there persons with medical vulnerabilities, for example? If so, reconsider your risk-benefit calculation. If everyone is healthy, asymptomatic, and fully vaccinated, the overall risk is likely low for most/everyone involved. (7/n)

Encourage everyone around you to optimize their protection against #COVID19 by getting 2-3 doses of vaccine ASAP, if they haven't already. Maximize your protection to protect yourself and all those around you. (8/n)

Think about what's happening in your community. If Delta & Omicron are causing huge case surges, then every type of unmasked indoor activity becomes much higher risk. Canada's a big place, every jurisdiction will experience Omicron differently. (9/n)

Last piece of advice. Treat the 'risk' of indoor unmasked gatherings as capital. Spend it wisely with the people who matter most to you in your life. Please try to be responsible to yourself and to the health of others. Be safe, everyone. (/end)