Today is Independence Day. You may be wondering if things will be back to normal after a year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don’t worry, we have you covered. The fourth of July is a holiday usually packed with fun gatherings and events. Americans from coast to coast typically celebrate our nation’s birthday with picnics, parties, road trips and fireworks. Here are some tips and advice on how to still celebrate and enjoy Independence Day while adhering the medical recommendations to stay safe and healthy.
CDC Guidlines
The CDC (@cdcgov) updated their guidelines for fully vaccinated people on June 17, 2021. People are considered fully vaccinated: 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. If you are not fully vaccinated they recommend these precautions. If you want to spend time with people who don’t live with you, outdoors is the safer choice. You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities, even without the use of masks. Here is the guidance for unvaccinated people to when participating in outdoor and indoor activities. If you are not vaccinated, find a vaccine.
How to Have a Safe 4th of July
The American Red Cross (@RedCross) offers safety tips you can follow on Firework Safety, Picnic Safety, Water/Water Park Safety and Beach Safety. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. At picnics, wash your hands before preparing the food and if you are going to cook on a grill, always supervise the grill when in use. Children and adults should learn to swim so they at least achieve the skills of water competency. Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water and always swim in a lifeguarded area.
Say Yes to Sun Protection
Planning to spend time at the beach or pool this weekend? Remember to follow the recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology Association (@AADskin) and say yes to sun protection.
7 Tips for a Healthy and Fun Fourth of July
Atlantic Health System (@AtlanticHealth) shares 7 safety tips for this coming weekend including information about fireworks (an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2019,) sun (it’s important to stay well hydrated and use shade whenever possible,) water (drownings are a leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 14,) helmet (protective gear can help prevent serious injury when biking and skateboarding,) bugs (ticks and mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus,) resting (take a break, avoid talking about consuming media for a while,) and COVID19 (slow the spread and take precautions to reduce your chances of getting sick and to protect others.)
Leave Fireworks to the Experts
The National Safety Council (@NSCsafety) advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal but they are not safe. Also check out their tips on summer safety, boating safety, surviving hot weather, insect safety, and bike safety.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.