We already know that the more people join during the pandemic, especially indoors without proper social distancing and safety protocols, the greater the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Doctors also express some concern about small gatherings, which are mostly outings or family reunions.
"What we are seeing as a growing threat now is also getting the infection through small household gatherings," said Dr. Redfield, according to CNN.
Two public health experts gave their opinions on the risk of small gatherings, answering important questions:
- Are small gatherings safe during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Anna Bershteyn, PhD, doctor, says:
Home meetings can create a great temptation to break the rules so that we feel more friendly and the situation seems more normal.
Transmission can occur anywhere people gather, especially without masks, without good ventilation and without social distancing.
"You have very little control over the risk indoors unless you require everyone to wear masks all the time, which is not possible when eating or drinking," says Dean Winslow, an infectious disease doctor. .
You need to understand that you are taking on a certain level of risk if you are not gathering outdoors and not keeping your distance.
- Can we go to small gatherings during the pandemic?
Dr. Bershteyn suggests having only small groups, such as dinners with members of your household, and you can invite relatives who follow strict safety instructions when in public, as long as no one is sick.
If you invite someone, make sure you stay outdoors and keep your distance.
- A checklist for people coming to your home during Covid-19:
Dr. Bershteyn put forward some suggestions on what to do when people come to your home in order to minimize the risk of getting COVID-19. Although we know that every situation is different, keep in mind the following:
- Make sure you know who and how many people will be coming. The number of people you can safely expect depends on the space you have.
- In order to understand the risks of exposure, ask where they worked, who they met or saw most often, etc.
- If you become a lot of people, consider an outdoor walk.
- Avoid crowding at the entrance and take extra precautions for toilets. Offer extra opportunities for hand washing, for example in the kitchen sink or at the entrance.
Source: CNN, Pop Sugar