WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER: High, Medium, and Low-Risk New Year – Know the Differences

The CDC offers a list of low, medium, and high-risk things, which we normally do at the holidays.  For example, small outdoor dinners with a few friends or family members is considered medium-risk – but they’re hard to pull off in a Chicago winter!  That said, indoor parties or dinners are riskier… lots more droplets fly around, when people chew or laugh or cough or sneeze.  And drinking alcohol – traditionally a big part of New Year’s Eve – could cloud your judgment – and make you less likely to social distance.

The CDC has put out a list of various things we normally do for the holidays, and how risky they are – or not – during pandemic.

Let’s start with a few which AREN’T very high risk . . .

1.  Low-risk activities include:  Having a small dinner with people in your own household.  Bringing people food, as long as it’s no-contact.  Watching football or parades or live-stream concerts, at home.  And shopping online, instead of in person.

2.  Moderate-risk activities include:  Having a small, (preferably outdoor) dinner with a few friends and family members.  Doing other things outside, in small groups if you social-distance…  And even attending a small outdoor show or event, if safety precautions are in place.

3.  High-risk activities include:  Anything social without a mask…  Larger, indoor gatherings and dinners…  Shopping in crowded stores…  Attending a large party…  And drinking alcohol, because it can mess with your judgment – and make you less likely to social distance…  lots more droplets fly around, when people chew or laugh or cough or sneeze

Learn more, here:  (CDC)