Stay Home For The Holidays, Anne Arundel County Leaders Say

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — With Thanksgiving fast-approaching, Anne Arundel County urged residents to stay home for the holidays. County leaders drove home their message Wednesday, warning residents of the ongoing fall coronavirus surge.

"The best thing that we can do for those we love is to find ways to be together, while staying apart," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a press release. "We don’t want to invite COVID home for the holidays."

Pittman introduced more coronavirus regulations last Thursday. His latest executive order tightened social gathering restrictions ahead of the holiday season.

Indoor gatherings are now capped at 10 people. They could previously have up to 25 attendees. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 visitors. They used to be restricted to 50.

Recent research suggested there is a 27 percent chance that somebody in a crowd of 25 in Anne Arundel County would have the virus. Those odds drop to 12 percent in a group of 10, the study predicted.

"When it comes to saving lives, there can’t be too much information," Pittman added. "With rising Covid numbers and deaths, we’d all rather be safe than sorry."

Pittman has repeatedly reminded residents that they are safest spending the holidays at home. Families should only celebrate with members of their household, he advised.

The county executive has also encouraged residents to find virtual ways to enjoy family company. He previously suggested hosting family video calls during holiday dinners.

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Anne Arundel County will reinforce these messages with a public health campaign. The efort, called "Stop Covid From Coming Home for the Holidays," started Wednesday and will run through the end of the year.

The initiative will spread information with emails, social media messages and posters. The county will also send the details to community groups. All the messages and graphics are available here.

The public health campaign offered the following tips for safe holiday gatherings:

• If you are not feeling well, stay home. Even if your symptoms are mild, avoid families and friends and get tested
• Wear masks unless you are eating or drinking
• Gather outside if possible
• Wash your hands frequently and offer hand sanitizer
• Have one person serve all food so that multiple people are not handling utensils
• Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing

"Thanksgiving is a time when we come together to show gratitude socially and emotionally,"Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in the release. "This year we can still give special thanks by celebrating in thoughtful and kind ways that protect ourselves and others."

Patch's latest coronavirus update for Anne Arundel County is available here.

RELATED:

• Coronavirus Spread In Anne Arundel: See Your Risk Of Exposure
• More Coronavirus Regulations Hit Anne Arundel As Cases Soar
• 'Dreaded' Fall Coronavirus Surge Is Here; County Shatters Record
• Coronavirus Holiday Season May Be 'A Little Depressing': Pittman
• AACPS Delays Hybrid Classes; Anne Arundel Coronavirus Cases Surge

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.