Holiday During COVID: How to Celebrate Responsibly and Stay Safe

Holidays are a time to gather with friends and family, enjoy meals together, take a much-needed break from work, and look forward to the New Year. To make sure you and your family have a safe and healthy holiday season, there are just a few things to keep in mind:

  1. There’s a new Covid variant spreading right now.
    The JN.1 variant is now the fastest spreading Covid variant and is especially dominant in the Northeast, where it is estimated to be the cause of about a third of new cases. While JN.1 is more infectious than previous variants like Omicron, the good news is that, according to the CDC, “there is no indication of increased severity from JN.1” and the updated boosters work to protect against it.Learn more about the JN.1 variant.
  1. RSV cases are also rising.
    According to the CDC, New York and New Jersey are now experiencing “high” to “very high” levels of respiratory-illness activity. That includes Covid, the flu, and RSV, a respiratory virus infecting the lungs and breathing passages. RSV hospitalization rates are higher than they’ve been at any point for the past five years, except for last season’s peak. Consider getting the RSV vaccine, if you’re over 60 years old or have infant and toddler-aged children. Speak with your doctor for more information.
  2. There are easy ways to stay safe.
    Take everyday preventative measures this holiday season to limit the spread of COVID-19, the flu and RSV.

    • First, you should ensure everyone in your household who is eligible has gotten their most up-to-date vaccines for Covid, Flu and RSV.
    • Then, there are simple things you can do to protect yourself and everyone else, like hand-washing, masking around high-risk people, and, if you’re not feeling great, staying home.