SARASOTA – May seem like a broken record, but health care professionals do not want us to let down our guard.
“People just need to enjoy being outdoors in the fresh air, maintain that distance, and keep up with the protocols,” said Suncoast Epidemiologist, Dr. Scott Hopes.
Dr. Scott Hopes , Suncoast Epidemiologist says if you are planning on gathering with others to ring in the New Year, it is not the time to forget those recommended protocols..
“It is beneficial if you are outside, where you can be in the fresh air, and socially distance, people should bring and consume their own food, you shouldn’t have common meals, where people are exchanging utensils and things like that,” said Dr. Hopes.
Dr. Hopes says it is advised not to travel, and if you must, the travel should outweigh the risks
“If you must travel, probably from a disease prevention perspective, driving would be the safest alternative but that means when you stop for fuel you need to wear gloves when you pump, you need to wash your hands,” said Dr. Hopes.
And if you plan on travelling by plane
“The airlines are doing a much better job of disinfecting but you also have to remember you are going to be in a closed environment with a lot of people for an extended period of time and even though planes have filters in them and things like that you still run risks because you are going to be going in and out of terminals,” said Dr. Hopes.
It is also important to note, if you are traveling into a hot spot.
“There are many states and communities that are surging to higher peaks than we saw at the beginning of the pandemic so understand your risks when you make that trip and obviously many of us have relatives that may not be around next Christmas and it’s important to visit them but if you’re going to do that make sure you take all the precautions,” said Dr. Hopes.
