WAUTOMA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There wasn’t a Thanksgiving surge as healthcare experts anticipated ahead of the holiday season, but nevertheless their advice is unchanged: don’t gather for the Christmas holiday with people outside of your home.
“I know it’s been difficult not seeing friends and family in-person but, ideally, this is the one year to skip and hopefully we can have a better year next year,” said Dr. Long Nguyen, family physician at ThedaCare Wautoma.
Even with a newly introduced vaccine and another on the way, medical experts say, it’s still not time to let your guard down.
“Worst case scenario – more people feel safe because, hey, Thanksgiving happened, there wasn’t a surge, maybe we can actually gather,” said Long. “That will guarantee that there will be a surge after.”
Officials say they know some will not heed their warning, and they’re right.
Ben Wizik of Duluth, Minn. celebrated and gathered for Christmas with his family early this year. He says he did it exactly how medical professionals say you should, if you must.
“Very socially distanced, dinner was outside, we did presents inside, with masks and stuff like that,” he explained.
Wizik’s son Henry Wizik says he thinks it was safe enough.
“It’s like a little risky, but if you’re like outside and socially distancing, it’s okay,” he said.
Others heard the alarms that doctors are sounding and will be playing it safe, in a creative way.
“We’re actually going to be doing a Zoom Christmas,” Russ Raddatz of Combined Locks said. “We’re going to exchange our gifts ahead of time, and then come Christmas morning, when we usually get together, we’ll get on FaceTime and open the presents between each other.”
It’s safe to say, this year will be one for the record books. And while many will be choosing to celebrate in different ways, we probably all share the same sentiment.
“I wish like this whole COVID thing would end!” said Henry Wizik.
Medical experts say a negative COVID test isn’t a green light to gather with loved ones. They say many people can get that result, if they’re not in the right window of time when a positive result would show up.
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