With COVID-19 spiking across the country, celebrating the upcoming holidays in a safe manner will be of enormous importance in keeping ourselves and our families safe during this period of heightened activity. Although social distancing from friends and family can be difficult – especially during the holiday months – it is absolutely critical that we continue the practices that have helped to mitigate the spread of this virus. To help you prepare, please take a moment to review the following holiday guidance from both Texas Children’s and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Potlucks, parties and social gatherings in the workplace should not be held. If individuals wish to provide individually wrapped food items for team members to enjoy, this is acceptable. However, please utilize safe options (such as grab-and-go) and only when a minimum of six-foot social distancing practices can be adhered to. Although there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spread by food, people sharing utensils and congregating around food service areas pose a considerable risk of transmission.
- Consider other options in celebrating the holidays with your team members. While gatherings are restricted at Texas Children’s, you are encouraged to think through alternative options for celebrating with your team members. Some ideas include facilitating a card exchange or hosting a virtual holiday party via Teams.
- If you are planning on attending or hosting a holiday gathering in the community, please be advised that the CDC offers direction, and advises that you assess current COVID-19 levels in the community prior to making a determination on whether or not to host an event. Currently, the CDC recommends hosting celebrations virtually or with members of your immediate household only. To learn more, click here.
Please remember that masks are required upon entrance to a Texas Children’s facility and should be worn at all times, including in parking garages, shuttle stops and while riding the shuttle. A mask should be worn as soon as you step out of your personal mode of transportation before entering a building, and the hospital-issued mask should remain on as you leave the building until you reach your personal mode of transportation. Masks should also be worn at all times in shared office spaces, including inside cubicles or at desks that are more than six feet apart. Individuals sitting in cubicles or shared workspaces may remove masks to eat or drink if they are the only ones present. As soon as the individual is finished eating and/or drinking, the mask must be placed back on. Keep in mind that respite rooms and private rooms are available for individuals to unmask and rest in solitude, as needed.
Lastly, always practice social distancing guidelines to ensure six feet of space between people are in place at all times. This includes in elevators, common areas and while riding the shuttle. Shared spaces, such as breakrooms and conference rooms, have limited capacity (posted online and on doors) in order to maintain social distancing.
Thank you for leading the way and setting an example for your team members, our patients, their families, your families and our community.