14 ways to stay healthy
For many, last year’s Fourth of July didn’t go quite as planned. Countless families were forced to modify their usual celebrations because of the pandemic. But this year, things are different.
With COVID restrictions being lifted, including in Indiana, Hoosiers are ready to celebrate this holiday season pre-pandemic style. That means family barbecues, fireworks and the usual festivities.
“It’s been a tough year to 18 months, so we’re really excited to get back out there and get back to our normal lives,” said Matthew Connelly, an emergency medicine physician in the Community Health Network.
Still, people should celebrate with caution and make sure they are taking steps to stay healthy and safe during the holiday weekend, according to Connelly and others.
IndyStar asked three experts for their tips on how to enjoy this July Fourth weekend safely. Each expert pointed to various precautions that would help prevent COVID-19 exposure and spread, heat exhaustion and firework-related injuries.
Playing it COVID-safe for the Fourth
Whether you’re planning a family gathering or attending one, or perhaps you’re heading out to a bar or restaurant, or maybe you’re venturing to a holiday-related function, you may find yourself amid a mixed crowd of vaccinated and unvaccinated people. With that, it is inevitable to face some health risks.
The U.S. has made great strides with managing COVID, part of which can be attributed to the 46% of the population that The New York Times recorded as fully vaccinated. Marion County, however, is a little behind: The county Public Health Department director Dr. Virginia Caine reported that about only 39% of Indianapolis residents have been fully vaccinated. With new variants continuing to be discovered, such as the delta variant, it is important people remain COVID conscious.
Here are 6 ways to remain COVID-safe this holiday season:
- All of our experts agreed that one of the best modes of protection would be to avoid crowded spaces and large gatherings. If you find yourself in a crowded space or with a lot of people – whether you are vaccinated or not – it’s still best to wear masks, especially if indoors. That is particularly true for individuals who live with people who are ineligible for the vaccine, such as children under 12, some immunocompromised patients and other adults with certain health conditions.
- It is also a good idea to keep track of all attendees. That way, if anyone gets sick, there is an idea of who needs to be contacted and warned of a potential exposure.
- It is important to continue to wash or sanitize your hands. The ideal holiday event would include handwashing stations and plenty of hand sanitizer, suggested Elizabeth Delery, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Marion University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Food is a very important aspect of the holiday season to consider keeping safe. This could include minimizing the number of people responsible for preparing the food for your holiday event. Additionally, Delery recommends that those responsible for preparing and distributing the food be vaccinated, as well as avoiding certain food setups, such as buffets. That style “is a bit riskier because people will be walking past the food and will be breathing on it,” Delery warned. “If there is a buffet style event, it might be better to allow vaccinated individuals to get their food first. However, individual plates or servings that are pre-portioned and that have been prepared by a vaccinated individual would be even better.”
- Delery also proposed serving less finger foods and having more foods that require utensils. The less eating with your hands, the fewer opportunities for “putting germs into your mouth.” Let’s try swapping the barbequed chicken for pulled chicken instead. This especially goes for children. Don’t forget to make sure they are washing their hands and not sharing drinks or utensils with others.
- With COVID in mind, Dr. Amy Beth Kressel points out that outdoor activities for this holiday season will be safer. That’s because “there’s an enormous amount of air moving, plus the humidity helps degrade the virus more quickly,” said Kressel, the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship at Eskenazi Health. Kressel still stressed the importance of avoiding crowded areas, even outdoors, especially if unvaccinated. She said maintaining six feet distance and limiting maskless contact with others is crucial. If this is difficult, be mindful of the amount of time spent unmasked or in a crowd, as the exposure time is key.
Many of these COVID safety practices can also keep individuals protected against other illnesses such as a common cold, the flu or stomach viruses, Connelly noted.
Beat the Heat
While the UV rays from the sun and the better circulation of the outdoors are pros for hosting or attending a more COVID-safe holiday event, it’s not without its own risks.
As an emergency room physician, Connelly cautioned that warmer weather also causes many heat-related illnesses — such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion — that can have major threatening health consequences.
“[The high temperatures] can cause the body to start to shut down and become overheated,” Connelly explained. “It just doesn’t run properly.”
Here are 4 of the best ways to avoid heat-related complications this weekend:
- Connelly suggested that the best way to prevent heat-related illnesses is to remain hydrated. This will also include minimizing the intake of alcohol, he added, which can promote dehydration. Consider having regular water, flavored waters and even Gatorade on hand to keep guests hydrated.
- For the event planners, Connelly recommended being sure that the location has enough shaded areas or a place for cooling off. Whether it’s a porch, a tent, or even a big tree, it is important for guests to be able to step away to escape the heat for a bit. Enjoying a good swim at a nearby lake or pool also is a great for guests to cool off. But be careful to monitor guests, especially children, around the water to prevent drowning and injuries, Connelly added.
- Keep a close eye on the elderly guests, children, and individuals with known health complications such as kidney and heart diseases, because they among some those who are most vulnerable to heat.
- While dodging heat-related illnesses, it is just as important to evade skin damage from the sun. Wear your sunscreen of SPF50 or above, said Connelly. If you are very sensitive to the sun and more prone to sunburn, consider wearing hats or lightweight clothing that covers the skin and minimizes direct sun exposure
Fireworks across the sky
A good fireworks show can elicit many “oohs” and “ahhhs”, but fireworks can cause potentially harmful and unexpected outcomes, too, Connelly cautioned.
In the US, there are 10,000 to 12,000 reported fireworks-related injuries seen in emergency departments every year, Connelly mentioned. That may seem like a lot, and yet the number of these injuries, he said, is likely underreported. These injuries range from minor burns to more life-altering injuries such as blindness or loss of a hand.
And that doesn’t just go for fireworks.
“Sparklers, for example, burn at almost 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit,” Connelly cautioned, “which is four or five times as hot as your settings on your barbeque grills.”
Here are 4 ways to prevent fireworks-related injuries this holiday season:
- Connelly cautioned that using sparklers or any fireworks at home should only be done using safety measures: Supervise children who are operating fireworks, wear safety goggles and gloves, keep a bucket of water around to be sure that the sparklers are completely out.
- It also is important to be mindful of location and space when operating fireworks at home. Connelly noted that many of these fireworks have “a ton of explosive power.” Handlers should pay close attention while setting up fireworks and be sure to stick to lighting one at a time. Guests can do their part, too, by making sure to always maintain a safe distance from the fireworks.
- But the safest bet, both Delery and Connelly advised, is to check out a professional fireworks show. Not only are they safer but can also be more entertaining. Delery warned that when attending professional fireworks shows, while it is outdoors, COVID-safe precautions should still be considered. “Fireworks are typically at night,” Delery reminded, when “we don’t have the UV rays and the sun.”
- Delery encouraged people who wish to attend public firework shows to keep social distancing practices in mind, or even better, watch from your car if possible.
When to seek professional help
Because of the pandemic, many people have avoided visiting the emergency room for fear of contracting the virus. However, Connelly assured that emergency rooms are geared up and ready for the summertime. Many emergency room facilities have added more staff. They are more than equipped to handle the everyday summertime emergencies, such as bike injuries, stomach bugs, heat-related illnesses, and others, Connelly confirmed.
Whether you are experiencing signs of heat-related illnesses or may have a fireworks-related injury, do not hesitate to seek out health support should you or someone you know need assistance.
“We are ramping up with nursing staff,” Connelly ensures. “And we are ready and able to take care of whatever comes in.”
Chrystelle Vilfranc is the 2021 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at the Indianapolis Star. She earned her PhD in Cancer and Cell Biology from the University of Cincinnati earlier this year. She studied drug-induced liver disease progression. She’s on Twitter as @drchrysvilfranc.
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