Make a plan: How to keep your loved ones safe this year

As the holiday season continues and the days get shorter – and darker and rainier – we may find ourselves wishing we could gather indoors with family and friends. The desire to see our loved ones can make us lose sight of how we could be putting ourselves or others at risk. Making a plan ahead of time can help us to remember why we’re choosing activities that keep us safe, even though they mean we are physically distant.  

Oregon Health Authority’s Safe + Strong campaign launched a new home page today that can help with planning lower-risk activities. This recent update encourages visitors to make a plan to keep your loved ones safe with resources and information about the impacts of the pandemic. Here are some tips on how to stay safe and connected to loved ones while following COVID-19 public health guidelines: 

• Wear a mask: With anyone you don’t live with, indoors or out 
• Stay six feet apart: We all miss hugs. But right now it’s the best way to show how much we care 
• Go digital: Even 10 minutes together online or on the phone can make someone’s day 
• Meet outdoors: Put on your warmest clothes and meet outside this winter 
• Keep groups small: There’s strength in small numbers 
• Make strong choices: Share this chart to help make a plan 

The site is designed to provide resources to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities about COVID-19. The updated site provides resources and information in 12 languages to support people in Oregon whose primary language is not English.   

This winter, let’s plan to change the way we do things—to keep our families safe.