GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? That’s how some people are feeling about 2020 and the coronavirus. But local health officials are warning to not get too far ahead of yourself.
After the lack of a major statewide Thanksgiving spike and an unknown Christmas impact on COVID-19 numbers, Brown County health officials are still a bit wary about New Year’s celebrations.
While it might be old and repetitive, the recommendation remains to not gather with individuals outside of your living unit or household.
“We’re not necessarily always talking about a big party at a bar or restaurant. We’re also seeing spread at household gatherings with a limited number of people,” said Brown County Health Spokesperson Claire Paprocki. “Over 150 cases come from thanksgiving gatherings, and those were gathering at individuals households. So that wasn’t even like a big party or a restaurant or a bar…Probably more than that at this point said that they went to some type of thanksgiving gathering. So we can probably expect to see the same for Christmas and New Year’s.”
Paprocki says the worry is that a turn-of-the-year super spread could ultimately lead to a bigger spike in January and February. She hopes to avoid that as much as possible.
“Christmas was 5 days ago now, so tomorrow will be the start of peoples infectious periods, [which is] probably when they’re most highly infectious and able to spread the virus to others,” Paprocki told WTAQ News. “We just encourage people to think about that, and if they had a gathering for Christmas, to maybe sit this one out.”
But obviously, not everyone is going to sit at home with their dog to pop the champagne and wave goodbye to what many consider the worst year in recent memory.
“Stay six feet away from people who do not live with you, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated places, and wearing a mask at all times, even if you’re outside,” Paprocki advised.
COVID-19 numbers around Brown County have begun to plateau. But that’s still not good enough for those in the health field.
“I think [calling it a] downward trend is a little ambitious, but we’re working our numbers even out a little bit you want to keep it that way recognizing that we’re not anywhere near where we want to be. The country and cases are are rising,” Paprocki said. “It’s not just about what’s happening in Brown County. It’s recognizing that spread is still happening all across the United States and we want to try to curb that as much as possible.”
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