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COVID-19 cases are increasing dramatically, but it’s not necessarily a surprise.

According to Bill Miller of Ohio State’s College of Public Health, many epidemiologists and other experts predicted that winter might be the most severe part of the pandemic.

Well, winter is almost here and COVID-19 cases are rising as Ohio State students, meaning you, are set to return home for winter break.

“We’re entering a really worrisome phase, but we can control it if we follow the recommendations,” Miller said. “We can protect ourselves and we can protect our loved ones. That’s really essential.”

How exactly can you do this? Miller has some recommendations to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter break.

And while some or many of these recommendations may feel like an inconvenience, not doing them can have devastating consequences for others. As Amy Fairchild, the dean of the College of Public Health, recently wrote in an email to students, “You have the power to reduce infections, including among your loved ones who may risk severe illness, hospitalization and death.”

Staying safe at home

Once you’re home, or even before, it’s time for a family discussion to come up with a plan for the break.

Miller recommends a two-week quarantine once you return home. You can still interact with your family, just wear a mask and keep a safe distance.

If the two-week quarantine isn’t happening, that’s one thing. But do not run out the door to hang out with friends you haven’t seen in months. Keep your interactions limited to family and wait 14 days to visit extended family who are vulnerable to the virus – including grandparents.

“Every student has a responsibility to protect the people they live with even though they may feel comfortable doing things,” Miller said. “You’re potentially putting your family at risk.”

Students should in all cases follow any local guidelines outlined in their home communities. Columbus' recent health advisory outlined a curfew and other requirements for the city. Other communities may have different guidelines, so follow local protocols when you arrive home.

Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings

Whether it’s Thanksgiving or other holiday meals and gatherings, it’s best to keep them small and short. So, small groups and short durations.  

If you decide to have a family meal for a small group, there are ways to connect with extended family later. Use Zoom or FaceTime. Be outdoors and go for a hike or meet up at a park. If someone has an outside fire pit, that may be a great way to hang out after a big meal.

If you are going to invite people over or go to someone’s home, don’t make it an all-day affair. Spread out as much as possible while eating and even consider wearing a mask when you’re not.

 “An hour with folks outside chatting is better than no time – and it’s a lot safer than an hour inside and definitely safer than a three-hour meal,” Miller said. “Any time you have a collection of people inside a closed environment sharing air, there’s a potential for transmission. The 6-foot rule and masks help a lot, but they don’t eliminate the risk.”

What about that seasonal job?

If you typically spend part of your break working at a job, talk to your family to make sure the benefit is worth the risk. And choose the job carefully. If you will be in a store or restaurant or something similar, make sure management enforces mask rules and limits the amount of people inside.

“With indoor environments, whether a store, restaurant or a similar place, the risk is a function of people’s behavior,” Miller said. “You can get a pretty good sense of the approach to the pandemic if you visit the store to gauge the risk by how people behave.”

Is church a good idea?

Again, discuss it with your family and check out what people are doing at the church you typically attend. If you can wear a mask and distance, it will help. But the biggest problem tends to be in communal singing.

“Anytime you raise your voice, you have more expiration of air and the greater potential for infection,” Miller said. “Essentially use common sense, discuss it with your family and decide how you want to handle it. And if you do go just do what you can in that context to protect yourself and others.”

Returning to campus

The university has announced that the first two weeks of spring semester classes (January 11-15 and 18-22) will be virtual. Extending virtual classes will be evaluated based on how COVID-19 numbers are trending. As of now, student move-in for spring semester is January 18. 

Miller said the university will have a testing re-entry program planned but it’s still being worked out. He said students will receive emails and other notifications that provide details on the final program and the latest information available from campus. 

Want more?

Prior to the summer break, Miller came up with a short video to give you a simple mantra for COVID-19 protection: Time, Space, People and Place. It still applies. But since then, he’s added one more tip so it’s become: Time, Space, People, Place and Don’t forget your face.