Just about the time we thought it was safe to enjoy the holidays, omicron has popped up to spoil our fun. We kicked off the holidays just a few weeks ago with money in our pockets and high expectations. We prepped for in-person parties and planned trips to exotic locales. We looked forward to simply sharing the holidays with those we love. But Covid’s a cunning adversary. Within a matter of days, this new variant has sabotaged the holiday plans of millions of people around the globe.
Home alone again for the holidays
A colleague and her husband looked forward to taking their two young sons to South Africa, where her husband grew up. Africa is where omicron first surfaced, and their flights have been canceled. One 72-year old woman hadn’t seen her grandchildren in nearly three years. Her holiday plans included a trip to Denver to visit her unvaccinated son and his family. But with infections spiking, she and her husband will be home alone again this year.
As Covid sweeps the country: Is the booster the new vaccine passport?
Broadway shows are being canceled and the Metropolitan Opera will require proof of booster shots. Its new rule for staff and audience members takes effect in January—will this become the new vaccine passport?
Major corporations are delaying the return to the workplace—employees will continue working virtually for the foreseeable future. Apple delayed its return to the office “to a date yet to be determined.” It also temporarily shut stores in Annapolis, Md., Miami and Ottawa in response to a rise in coronavirus cases.
To go or not to go: Think of your life in terms of value exchanges
According to psychologist Arathi Sethumadhavan in APA Monitor on Psychology, “human beings, when given the time, are always doing a value exchange, weighing the benefits of what they’re getting vs what they’re giving up.” One of my colleagues thinks of this as tiny banking transactions. We’re always running either a debit or credit balance with our family and friends. Use this same principle to evaluate your Covid risk for the holidays: Weigh the benefits of how badly you want to go somewhere or see someone vs the severity of the risk.
Evaluating your risk tolerance
Ask yourself a few questions to think through whether an event is worth attending:
- Are you fully vaccinated and boosted? If so, it’s much safer to gather with others, even with omicron circulating around us. Do you also have a strong immune system, rarely getting colds and flu?
- Do you have underlying health conditions?If so, consult your doctor about how to approach holiday gatherings.
- Do you know whether the people you’re gathering with are vaccinated? If you don’t know their status, especially when it comes to younger children, consider precautions like masking indoors or being in an outdoor environment.
- How big is the gathering you want to attend and what is the setting? Determine what size gathering feels comfortable and whether you are open to indoor gatherings.
Guideway’s Living Trust package
As you get caught up on vaccines that will help you and your family stay healthy through the coming months, this is also a great time to create or update your Trust. With families gathered for the holidays, it’s also the perfect time to encourage aging family members to create a Living Trust.
We’re proud of our comprehensive Living Trust package that includes a Power of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare Directive. Best of all, we guide you through it and we prepare the legal documents. Schedule an appointment with Guideway today.
Guideway services the entire Bay Area
Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.
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