Dr. Elizabeth Whalen
The smells of pine, hot cocoa and cinnamon drift in the air out of kitchens and candle shops. Window paintings of snowy white sceneries are accented by red, green and gold decor. With each frosty inhale, the air tastes like ice chips, and Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé dominate the radio waves. All of the hallmarks of Hallmark tidings are here, and it is undeniable: ‘tis the time of that annual spectacle we’ve dubbed “the Holiday Season.”
It is the time of year traditionally reserved for all things grand: ceremonies, gatherings, vacations – even parents and pianos. But this year, traditions are challenged in ways unlike most have ever known. The entire world is plagued with a disease that especially threatens the sick and elderly. The importance of staying sane and keeping in contact with family has, perhaps, never been so critical. The trouble is – can this togetherness be safely achieved in the current environment?
Dr. Eric Clark
According to Dr. Eric Clark, MTSU’s Health Services Medical Director and board-certified family practice doctor, family gatherings can indeed safely take place, but family members should be mindful of individual risk levels.
Without preexisting medical conditions, most young people will be okay if they contract COVID-19. However, people at age 60 risk more severe health complications. Once above age 80, health risks increase dramatically.
If a family wishes to gather and incorporate sick or elderly members into their in-person plans this year, they may do whatever they are willing to risk, but there are activities that Dr. Clark suggests to be avoided. Large holiday parties, music concerts, indoor athletic events and church services can increase risk of infection.
“They call them ‘super spreader events,’ but it’s really super spreader people... they’re sing-ing, or they’re talking loudly... sweating up and breathing really heavy...” Clark said.
“Forced expirations” like public speaking from a podium, or singing, can cause risk to an area of much greater than the usual six feet of distance away. Distancing, masking, and, if the weather isn’t too cold, gathering outdoors would be the safest guidelines to follow.
So, is travel out of the question this year?
Dr. Elizabeth Whalen has been teaching in the fields of Hospitality and Tourism for 10 years; her research is in consumer behavior, especially within hospitality. She also studies decision-making processes and risk perceptions. Whalen doesn’t believe that travel must be avoided in the name of caution, but neither should caution be abandoned in the name of travel.
She advises that the best and safest means for traveling long distances, if that is in this year’s holiday plans, would be to take a car. While technically safe, a plane, train or other forms of public transportation is riskier. Road trip stops should be as minimal as possible, and hand sanitizer should be liberally applied after touching surfaces like gas pumps.
When planning for meals, it is most advisable to pack food and have roadside picnics. Eating necessitates mask removal, so it is advised that dine-in restaurants be avoided in the course of a road trip. If food stops are necessary, both Dr. Whalen and Dr. Clark said to choose fast food options or places that deliver food directly to your car from the kitchen.
Exposure risks significantly increase with each new stop on the road. So, does the decision to travel mean that the health of everyone encountered along the way could be put at risk?
“It all depends on behavior,” said Dr. Clark. “The virus is everywhere, so... every community’s going to have it; it’s just how you’re going to behave in that community – are you going to try to limit the spread by social distancing and masking?”
“I have done some traveling during this time,” Whalen said. “For me, going to one of these established hotels, restaurants and attractions, I feel safe. I feel good. And I think... if you pull up... and it doesn’t feel safe, [have] a back-up plan or a contingency plan.”
Both Dr. Whalen and Dr. Clark emphasized that it is important to be blunt and honest about comfort levels. They encourage every-one to exercise caution and minimize risks to protect their friends and family during this holiday season.