As Thanksgiving approaches and millions gear up for holiday travel, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Mandy Cohen, shares how she’s keeping her own family safe this respiratory-virus season.
“I’m not just a CDC director. I’m also a doctor and a mom. And I want to tell you what I do for my own family,” Cohen says.
Cohen, who previously led the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, emphasizes that her family — along with her two young daughters and her husband — has received updated COVID and flu vaccines this season, and notes that her parents are also vaccinated.
“I wouldn’t recommend something for the American people that I wouldn’t recommend for my own family,” Cohen says. “I hope people can hear that and get to know me as a person to help cut through some of the information that they’re hearing and understand why I’m recommending it for my family and want them to be healthy as well.”
Here are Cohen’s recommendations for staying healthy while traveling and gathering with loved ones this holiday season:
1. Get vaccinated: Cohen advises that everyone (ages 6 months and older) should get the updated COVID vaccine and flu shot. She also mentions that an RSV vaccine is recommended for individuals over 60 years old.
2. Stay home if you’re sick: If you’re feeling unwell, stay home; it’ll give you time to recover and prevent you from spreading illness to others.
3. Get tested: Cohen advises that it’s helpful to get tested in order to understand what illness you may have. She suggests ordering free rapid COVID tests to be mailed directly to your home.
Here are additional tips to keep yourself and others healthy this holiday season:
1. Wash your hands: Cohen emphasizes the importance of washing hands and specifically notes that this should be done before, during, and after preparing food, as well as before and after eating.
2. Increase ventilation: Improving ventilation by opening windows and doors can reduce airborne contaminants, according to Cohen.
3. Wear a mask: Masks are an effective means of protection, especially in close quarters with many people. Additionally, it is recommended to wear a mask for at least 10 days if you’ve tested positive for COVID, or if you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive.
Cohen also addresses the need for the updated COVID shot, stating that everyone over the age of 6 months should get the latest vaccine due to changes in the virus and the decreasing level of protection over time.
Furthermore, Cohen advises that healthy habits such as sufficient sleep, a well-balanced diet, and safe environments can help keep kids and families healthy during cold and flu season.
For those looking to receive the RSV vaccine, Cohen acknowledges the supply limitations and the frustration this has caused for parents and families, but encourages exploring all available options and consulting healthcare professionals if necessary.
