Covid-19 Labor Day safety tips from Kaiser Permanente physician

Labor Day is the official end of summer and many are making plans to gather with family and friends. Kaiser Permanente recognizes the importance of connecting with others, especially after months of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have done a fantastic job as a community, rising to the challenge of social distancing by wearing masks, socially distancing from others and avoiding crowded indoor environments,” said Dr. Ravi Waldron, Kaiser Permanente San Jose Infectious Disease Physician. “Taking these precautions has kept our COVID-19 infection numbers much lower than other areas of California and the country as a whole.”

Kaiser Permanente infectious disease experts urge the public to remember the importance of staying safe over the long holiday weekend to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Everyone needs to do their part to prevent a resurgence of the virus.

“it is very important that we keep up the great work as the coronavirus is still very much with us and remains dangerous,” Waldron said. “We did see a rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths after Memorial Day and July 4th due to small indoor gatherings, and we don’t want to see that pattern repeat itself after the Labor Day weekend.”

Here are some tips for how to keep your family healthy over the Labor Day weekend:

1. Know you’re healthy before you go. Scan for symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills/shaking chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or a new loss of taste or smell. If you or anyone in your family has these symptoms, please stay home, avoid family gatherings and call your doctor.

2. Always wear your mask. A cloth mask protects you and others. Nearly half of COVID-19 transmissions are traced to someone unaware they are infected. If you are carrying COVID-19 without symptoms, a cloth mask can significantly reduce the risk that you will transmit the infection to others. A mask also keeps you from touching your face if you do come into contact with the disease.

3. Social distance. The surest way to protect yourself and loved ones is to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from anyone with whom you haven’t been sheltering. Even with the distance, you still need to wear your mask!

4. Practice healthy hand hygiene. Be prepared with adequate supplies of soap, water, hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), paper towels, tissues, and disinfectant wipes. And wash or sanitize your hands frequently.

5. Keep gatherings small. If you do get together with others, keep the gatherings small. And, if possible, keep them outdoors. Sit or stand six feet apart from others.

6. Take personal safety seriously. It’s important for everyone to adhere to the rules and take responsibility for their own personal safety. The only way to avoid spikes in COVID-19 cases is for everyone to be mindful of their own behaviors.

“It is up to all of us to protect ourselves and our community, particularly those who are more vulnerable to the virus ,” Waldron said. “ Please stay safe this Labor Day weekend.”