Holidaying and the Virus: Is There A Compromise?

Most on the planet, stuck between the pandemic and the desire to be with family this holiday season, after months of isolation, are wondering: Is there a compromise to be made with the virus?

Here’s the story of one couple. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, they have been indoors with someone other than each other — for a total of two to three hours in eight months— almost all of it for a doctor’s appointment or two with all those around masked. Working remotely and doing dining and shopping exclusively through curbside pickup, they have avoided all inessential exposure. When outdoors, they have their masks at the ready. They avoid crowds, and when unavoidable, they social distance and wear masks. On the few occasions when they walk with someone outside of their two-person bubble, they social distance and wear masks. On their minimal travel, they made sure their destination place was uninhabited for at least two days before they arrived. Depending on your perspective, you may think the couple is logical or insane.

The couple’s plans to mingle with a few for the holidays involve meeting only outdoors with plenty of social distancing, and with masks removed only when they are eating or drinking. If and when they invite someone under their roof, the plans likely will involve testing and quarantine.

For many reasons, most people likely have not treated the virus like the insane or logical couple above, us, even if they had wished to do so. Children, family, finances, locations, residences, work, and other reasons would have made it just impossible for many, especially the essential workers. But for those of us fortunate enough to avoid the virus so far and who are able, holidays are the time to go that extra step, for the sake of ourselves and our hospitals.

Here is a pandemic collection to urge you on. Not getting the virus may be partly about being lucky, but it is mostly about probability and staying vigilant a while longer. We may love or hate masks, but holidays are the time to wear masks, colorful ones.

The virus will not compromise on its intentions. Nor should we, especially now, with the vaccine right around the corner. Happy holidays!