Vaccinated or not, you need to bring a dish of precaution to the Thanksgiving table this year. Illinois and the Chicago area are in the midst of a new wave of COVID activity. If your circle is anything like mine, you most likely know someone with COVID right now. Countless kids are quarantined from school and positivity rates are continuing to climb.
Keep your table on the smaller side this year. Enjoy quality time with a smaller group versus having a large gathering. The holidays can be just as small when done as an intimate gathering.
While your dinner table may be smaller this year, you can still gather with extended family to celebrate the holiday. Outdoor activities are a safer option than dining in close quarters. Head to Michigan Avenue to see the holiday lights, visit the Christkindlmarket or take a fall nature walk together. You can still enjoy time with loved ones in a safer manner that protects those who are unvaccinated or at high risk of complications from COVID.
If you are getting together with children or adults who are unvaccinated, please get a COVID test before you gather. Testing does not eliminate risk altogether, but it is a precaution worth taking. Innovative Care is open through Wednesday for testing, and closed on Thanksgiving day. We will be back open on Black Friday through the weekend. COVID testing is quick and easy. You can schedule online or walk-in for an appointment.
Your best protection for a safe holiday season is to get vaccinated. The holidays are fast approaching. If you get vaccinated now, you can still get your second dose in by the Christmas holiday and be fully vaccinated by New Years. If you were vaccinated, but your second dose was more than six months ago, it’s time for a booster shot. The CDC announced last week that all United States adults over age 18 are now eligible for a booster dose six months after their second shot (if Moderna or Pfizer) or original dose (if Johnson & Johnson) was given. Vaccines are available at our Downers Grove location seven days a week. We have both Moderna and Pfizer available, as well as the pediatric dose of Pfizer.
Unfortunately, we aren’t out of the woods yet. COVID is still running rampant in our community and has been on an upward trend these last few weeks. Our positivity rate at the Diversey clinic is hovering around 10 percent, which is concerning. Please take precautions and continue to take this pandemic seriously as you gather with family and friends this season.