With Thanksgiving on the horizon, many people will be gathering indoors, which may cause stress for some as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says this holiday season is looking quite different than last year because the vaccine wasn’t publicly available until close to the end of 2020. She recommends those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 to gather with others who are also vaccinated. If there are individuals who are not vaccinated, Wolf encourages those people to wear a mask when around others indoors. Wolf suggests adding an alternative method, depending on the weather.

“Open up some windows. I would have some cross ventilation going in that house or even consider having your celebration out in a garage where you can spread out more too, and it’s a little more drafty.”

Wolf says other mitigation efforts are to remember to frequently wash hands, cover coughs and stay home if you feel ill, have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus.