The holiday season is upon us. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year's will look a little differently this year. After many months the COVID-19 virus is still active and medical experts warn about large holiday gatherings having the potential to be super spreader events if people do not adhere to the established guidelines set in place to reduce the spread of the virus. This year medical experts are advising that we rethink our usual holiday traditions.
Establish ground rules for get-togethers, set size limits on how many family members can attend, consider virtual holiday get-togethers instead of in-person ones, and maybe even take the year off, they suggest.
Such is life in the time of a pandemic.
Common sense rules, safe social distancing and hygiene protocols, such as wearing masks and using hand-sanitizers, being hypervigilant about your own health, well-being and symptoms and being considerate of the safety of others — all need to play a role this holiday season.
Someone could test negative for the virus, and still be incubating, and be infectious. These are things we all have to talk about and consider before attending gatherings.
What can you do to ensure you and your loved ones have a safe holiday season?
It is recommended that you don't rely on COVID-19 tests because while they might ensure you're not positive today they can't guarantee you won't be positive tomorrow.
Consider providing extra ventilation, even in the winter. Open windows, doors, perhaps use heaters to warm the space to offset the cold. Space heaters can present their own safety concerns and should be used with extreme caution.
Maintain social distancing protocols. Instead of having an entire group at one large table, keep family members who live together at tables together, apart from those who don't. Keep gatherings small and intimate. Perhaps connect via social media platforms at meal time. Use disposable cutlery and plates. Have one person serve everyone.
If you're hosting a gathering, consider giving your guests the rules in advance via email. That way everyone is informed of the guidelines and can agree to them or opt not to attend this year.
Following some of these suggestions could ensure your family and friends have a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.
DANIELLE TACKETT NOVEMBER 13TH
DAVID JAMES NOVEMBER 18TH
GEOFFREY WOHL NOVEMBER 30TH
Cheesy Garlic Herb Crack Bread
- 1 crusty sourdough or artisan loaf
- 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
- 3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Combine the melted butter, garlic, salt, parsley, rosemary, and thyme in a small bowl.
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With a serrated knife, cut the bread on a diagonal into 1-inch diamonds, being careful not to slice all the way through. Use your fingers to pry open each crack and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of butter and a pinch of the shredded cheese. Don’t worry if you make a bit of a mess.
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Wrap the entire loaf in foil. To make ahead, place the foil wrapped bread in the fridge overnight or in the freezer for a month, thawing before baking. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese has mostly melted. Carefully remove the foil and continue to bake for another 5 minutes, or until crusty. Serve immediately.
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DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS NOVEMBER 1ST
ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 3RD
VETERAN’S DAY NOVEMBER 11TH
THANKSGIVING DAY NOVEMBER 26TH
METRO GOVERNMENT HOLIDAY NOVEMBER 27th
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Bebe is Scott Harrington's 7 year
old Maltipoo. She enjoys receiving
“good-girl treats,” barking at visitors
who knock on the front door, and
running after anyone who is using
her sidewalk.
Bebe pretends to be a guard dog but
in reality, she’s a lap dog that loves
to be held. Open a bag of potato chips and she’ll be your best friend!
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"For me a house or an apartment becomes a home when you add one set of four legs, a happy tail, and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog."
- Roger Caras
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Kevin Triplett November 4th
Susan Hughes November 9th
Rick Blackwell November 19th
David James November 22nd
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
WOULD YOU RATHER...
1.Would you rather the aliens that make first contact be robotic or organic?
2. Would you rather lose the ability to read or lose the ability to speak?
3. Would you rather have a golden voice or a silver tongue?
4. Would you rather be covered in fur or covered in scales?
5. Would you rather be in jail for a year or lose a year off your life?
6. Would you rather always be 10 minutes late or always be 20 minutes early?
7. Would you rather have one real get out of jail free card or a key that opens any door?
8. Would you rather know the history of every object you touched or be able to talk to animals?
9. Would you rather be married to a 10 with a bad personality or a 6 with an amazing personality?
10. Would you rather be able to talk to land animals, animals that fly, or animals that live under the water?
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A blow given by an eagle can be 2 times more violent than a gunshot.
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The word typewriter is the longest word that can be typed using only the top row of a keyboard.
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Hummingbirds have 2,000 meals a day and hibernate every night.
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Foreign Accent Syndrome is a rare side effect of brain trauma. Patients speak their native language with a foreign dialect.
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It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.
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Your eyes are the same size from birth, but your nose and ears never stop growing.
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Women’s hearts beat faster than men.
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The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself.
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In the wild, giraffes sleep only about 40 minutes a day, in 3 - 5 minute increments.
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Giraffes have the same number of neck bones as in humans.
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I pray for peace in the streets of every city in our country. Peace for all the countries marching in solidarity for the equality of all people. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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