By Sarah Stiefvater, PureWow
1. Only Meet in Person with Small Groups
As much as we’d
love to throw a giant backyard barbeque with 20 of our nearest and
dearest, that’s just not safe (and not worth the risk, either). Here’s how the CDC defines the risk of COVID-19 spreading at events and gatherings:
Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.
More risk: Smaller
outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different
households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face
coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area
(e.g., community, town, city or county).
Higher risk: Medium-sized
in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain
spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the
local area.
Highest risk: Large in-person
gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at
least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.
While
the CDC doesn’t put an exact number on what’s a safe group to see, it’s
clear that you’re safer with outdoor gatherings where you can be at
least six feet away from others. It’s also important to note that as
much as you want to give your best friend a bear hug after six months,
avoiding physical contact is paramount. For now, stick to an excited
jumping wave or dramatic air kiss.
2. If You’re Meeting in Person, Prepare
No,
we don’t mean prepare what kind of meats and cheeses you’re packing in
your picnic basket (though that’s important too). If you are meeting
with friends you haven’t quarantined with, set boundaries ahead of time,
so everyone is on the same page when you see each other. Be completely
honest with your pals about your level of comfort and make a game plan
for how your meet-up will go down. By ironing out the details ahead of
time, you can jump right into catching up instead of figuring out who’s
OK with what.
3. Stick to Food, Drinks and Conversation
As
tempting as it is to host one of your famous game nights in the comfort
of your backyard, it’s best for now to stick to activities that require
the least touching of shared surfaces. That massive Jenga set or adult card game
you read about on PureWow? They’re fun, sure, but they’re also really
risky from a germ-spreading perspective. For now, stick to activities
where you can bring your own materials (food, drinks, etc.) and limit
the things you and other folks are touching.
4. If You’re Not Ready to See Your Friends in Person…Don’t
You
want to see your friends, you really do. But there’s a nagging feeling
in the back of your mind that you’re just not ready to socialize in
person. That’s OK. When we spoke to Jason Woodrum, ACSW, a therapist at New Method Wellness,
he told us that “normal” is whatever you are comfortable with.
“Whatever your boundaries are, discuss them with those around you
regularly. People will respect and understand your continued need for
safety.” Though you might feel awkward or silly or like you’re
overreacting, you know your body and mind best, and you shouldn’t be
afraid to do what feels right for you.
5. Explore Non-Zoom Virtual Options
If
you’re uncomfortable with in-person hangs and you’re over the whole
Zoom thing, consider the myriad other ways you can connect virtually.
Whether it’s a text message book club, workout challenge or
re-downloading an app you deleted years ago (like Snapchat or Words with
Friends), there are tons of options for staying connected without
sharing the same physical space.
