How to enjoy a healthy Holiday season

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For many of us, preparing for the Holidays starts weeks and weeks in advance. We make lists, plan gatherings, draw up menus, cook, shop and decorate. Nothing can go wrong when you plan carefully, can it? Unfortunately, viruses don't care much about our plans and keep on spreading, Holiday or not, threatening to spoil our festivities.

Whether you are hosting or attending as a guest, there are a number of measures you can take to avoid getting sick and getting others sick! If we all make an effort, we can limit the transmission of viruses and have a wonderful, healthy Holiday season!

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The gracious host's guide to the Holiday season 

Your home, your rules! As a host, you have a certain responsibility (at least on a moral level) to ensure the well-being of your guests, as well as your own! After all, no one wants to end the Holiday season sick in bed. There are several precautions you can take to ensure everyone's health and make sure your guests leave with nothing but fond memories!

• Advise your guests in advance to stay home if they have a fever. You can always prepare and bring them a plate of food for comfort.
• Have a box of masks readily available for your guests and invite those with a new or aggravated cough, sore throat or nasal congestion to wear a mask indoors and when socialising.
• Encourage your guests to keep their distance from each other.
• Distribute small individual bottles of hydro-alcoholic gel to your guests or provide bottles of hydro-alcoholic gel around the house (at the entrance, in rooms where people gather, etc.).
• Don't hesitate to ask your guests to wash their hands as soon as they arrive in your home and at certain strategic moments (after shaking a few hands, before touching food, etc.). 
• Identify your guests' glasses (kill two birds with one stone; festive, colourful glass markers will add a touch of fantasy!)
• Designate non-symptomatic people to take care of serving guests.
• If possible, avoid buffet-style dinners where all the guests might touch the food.
• Identify seating arrangements. 
• Make sure your house is well ventilated.

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The perfect guest’s guide for the Holidays

It's always fun being a guest during the Holidays. No pressure, no preparation, no stress. That being said, the least we can do as guests is to take the necessary steps to protect our health and the health of our hosts and fellow guests.

• Don't hesitate to wear a mask if you are pregnant or are considered immunocompromised. 
• Wash your hands when you arrive and whenever you feel it is necessary, and keep a small portable bottle of hydro-alcoholic gel with you. 
• Drink only from the glass you are given and avoid sharing objects.
• Stay at home if you have a fever (a difficult decision, yes, but a selfless one nonetheless).
• If you have a new or worsened cough, sore throat or nasal congestion:

• Warn people you know that you could be contagious.
• Wear a mask when you go indoors and during social interactions. 
• Avoid direct contact with vulnerable people such as the elderly, babies under 3 months old, immunocompromised people and pregnant women.
• Avoid direct contact for greetings, such as shaking hands, and instead opt for alternative practices such as elbowing.
• Keep your distance from others wherever possible.
• Make sure you change your mask if it gets dirty or wet. 
• Ask someone to prepare your plate for you at the buffet. 
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• If you use a handkerchief, wash your hands immediately.

Have a great and healthy Holiday season!

See the other articles of our Mag-santé magazine for health-related information and advice.

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