A Healthier Holiday Season: Simple Ways to Gather Safely

The holiday season is a time for warmth, connection, and celebration. Whether you’re gathering with family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors, you can take simple, effective steps to reduce the spread of airborne infections like COVID-19, flu, and RSV without sacrificing joy. A few thoughtful precautions can help ensure that the memories you make this season are ones you’ll treasure, not ones that leave you or your loved ones sick.

Be Nice, Not Naughty

Wear a mask to protect yourself and others

Wearing a high-quality mask, like an N95 respirator, is a kind and considerate act, especially when gathering indoors or around people at higher risk for illness. Respirator masking helps reduce the amount of virus we breathe in and exhale, protecting both the wearer and everyone around them. If you’re traveling, attending crowded events, or spending time indoors with people from different households, masking can help keep the season bright for everyone.

Spread Cheer, Not COVID

Stay home when you’re sick

It can be disappointing to miss a holiday event, but showing up while sick (even if it’s “just a little sniffle”) can quickly turn one gathering into multiple illnesses. If you’re feeling unwell or were recently exposed to someone who is sick, the safest choice is to rest and celebrate another time. Protecting others’ health is one of the greatest gifts you can give.

Consider ways to celebrate festivities remotely like a video call with friends, family, and other loved ones to open gifts together, arranging a festive meal delivery, or planning a post-holiday celebration to look forward to.

Check Twice

Test frequently and test smart

Just like checking a list twice, testing before gatherings adds an extra layer of reassurance. Rapid tests can help identify infections early, including those without obvious symptoms. Testing before travel, before large gatherings, and again a few days later can reduce the risk of unknowingly spreading infection, especially during peak respiratory virus season.

Happiness and Joy in the Air

Clean the air to remove viruses and pollutants

Many respiratory viruses spread through the air we share. Improving indoor air quality is one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—ways to reduce risk. Opening windows when possible, using HEPA air purifiers, and upgrading HVAC filters can significantly lower the concentration of airborne viruses. Cleaner air supports healthier lungs, clearer thinking, and gatherings that everyone can breathe easy at.

Five Golden Things

Follow the World Health Network’s Five Pillars of Prevention

To keep your holidays safe and joyful, remember WHN’s Five Pillars of Prevention:

1. Clean the air through ventilation and filtration
2. Wear high-quality masks (N95) in shared indoor spaces
3. Test frequently to catch infections early
4. Stay home when sick and avoid exposing others
5. Layer protections—no single action works alone

Together, these measures work like ornaments on a tree: each one adds strength, and all of them together create something resilient and beautiful.

This season, protecting one another doesn’t mean giving up connection. It means redefining care. By taking a few thoughtful precautions, we can celebrate together while safeguarding our health, our loved ones, and our communities. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and hopeful holiday season.