Fall sports and activities are ramping up. The return to social life outside of the home is a welcome change. Enjoy yourself and keep your loved ones safe with simple strategies for social distancing.
“Stay safe this football season and don’t lose ground on all the progress we’ve made social distancing this year. Continue to use simple precautions like mask-wearing and hand-washing,” says Rebekah Sensenig, D.O., an infectious disease specialist with Riverside Medical Group.
Plan for safety
Plan your tailgate ahead of time so you can tell your game plan to all those attending and make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand.
Get the message out that you are serious about safety
As soon as plans for a tailgate start circulating, make sure to tell those invited that you’re committed to keeping a safe party environment. Be clear about what that means: masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.
Keep your tailgate outdoors
Outdoors is the safest place for a social gathering, even in colder temperatures. If it looks like rain (or snow), bring a tent and dress for the weather. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Pack your supplies
Pack everything you and the other tailgaters might need for a safe and fun event:
- Spare disposable masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Antibacterial wipes for hard surfaces
- Bright colored painter’s tape to mark off socially distanced spots to park chairs
- Individually wrapped snacks
- Single-serve beverages
- A long table to keep food outdoors and spaced out
Snack packs aren’t just for kids’ lunches
All your favorite tailgate snacks are available in single-serve packages. From chips and salsa to nuts and popcorn, you can have it all and minimize direct contact between guests. As an alternative, tell guests to BYOS (bring your own snacks). This way, each family can share among themselves without having to buy anything special.
Arrive early to set up your space
Make it easy for guests to stay socially distant by marking off x’s on the ground for chair placement or standing. Guests won’t have to guess, and they’ll have a reminder of where to stand to maintain a safe distance.
Stay informed and adjust for success
“There is no doubt that fall sports have everyone excited, but circumstances can change overnight,” reminds Dr. Sensenig. “The keys to thriving during a pandemic are to stay informed, be flexible and adapt as new information becomes available.”
Stay up to date with the latest public health recommendations and gain inspiration from informative and credible resources. Visit Navigating COVID-19 for updates and information.
