Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of acquiring or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. Martin County families are encouraged to follow the tips outlined below from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent the spread of illness this holiday season.
Wear a mask
- Wear a mask with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth, keeping it secure under your chin.
- Make sure the mask fits snugly against the sides of your face.
Maintain social distance
- Maintain a social distance of at least six feet from others who do not live with you.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or the flu.
- Keeping 6 feet (about two arm lengths) from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Wash hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are unable to wash your hands.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Monitor symptoms
- Continue to review our daily symptom screening tools and COVID-19 decision trees, being mindful of the health and wellness of all members of the household.
Families are also encouraged to bookmark our COVID-19 dashboard, which provides comprehensive data on positive cases and quarantine status by date, school and grade level.
While the Florida Department of Health in Martin County continues to emphasize that cases are being introduced to schools through students' participation in afterschool get-togethers, extracurriculars and via spread in households, the fact remains that positive cases are on the rise throughout our local area and state. It is important that our students, employees and families continue to be proactive and diligent about following health-related guidelines, especially as they gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays.
