Vaccination is key to having more freedom celebrating moms this Mother’s Day, according to physicians and public health officials. Almost half of Wisconsin residents are vaccinated – at least one dose. Still, experts say we are not out of the “Pandemic Woods” yet.
“If you are not vaccinated, be more cautious,” says Lee Vogel, MD, executive director of Mosaic Family Health, a Be Safe Wisconsin partner. “And everyone – vaccinated or not – should avoid large crowds, especially indoors, and super-spreader events.”
Depending on where you are, what you’re doing and whether you’re inside or outside, as well as vaccinated or not, will determine safety considerations.
“Vaccinated individuals can start normalizing their lives – no masks indoors with other vaccinated people,” notes Dr. Vogel, a mother of three young adult children and a grandmother to a toddler. “Outdoors no masking is needed in most situations, as the virus really isn’t easily spread outdoors. The exceptions are large crowds.”
Here are the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for Choosing Safer Activities, an easy-to-understand guide on getting together, and whether the 3 W’s are in order: Wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands. Dr. Vogel has adapted the information from the CDC that serves as a good reference for making the best decisions in meeting up with mom – whether at a home, in a restaurant or other public locations.
She says, “Good judgment and thinking about your own situation is required here: Are you vaccinated? Will you be with vaccinated people? Is there a crowd and potentially other unmasked and unvaccinated people? Is the level of COVID-19 positivity high in the community?
“If you find yourself in this red-masked box in the tables below, you are at high risk in this situation, and probably should consider avoiding this activity, especially if you have high risk conditions.”
Outdoors
Your Activity
With…
Fully Vaccinated People
Unvaccinated People
Walk, run, or bike outdoors
Members of your household
Attend a small, outdoor gathering
Fully vaccinated family and friends
Attend a small, outdoor gathering
Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people
Dine at an outdoor restaurant
Friends from multiple households
Attend a crowded, outdoor event, like a live performance, parade, or sports event
a crowd of many others
Indoors
Your Activity
With…
Fully Vaccinated People
Unvaccinated People
Visit a barber or hair salon
Barber/stylist
Go to an uncrowded, indoor shopping center or museum
A few others / uncrowded situation
Ride public transport with limited occupancy
A few others / Limited occupancy
Attend a small indoor gathering
Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people from multiple households
Go to an indoor movie theater
Likely many others in the theater
Attend a full capacity worship service
Full capacity / many others
Sing in an indoor chorus
Other choir members
Eat at an indoor restaurant or bar
Few or many
Participate in an indoor high intensity exercise class
Other participants
Celebrating from Afar Safely
The phone calls, FaceTime and virtual hugs of 2020 might still be in order, especially for moms who live a distance away. Traveling is still discouraged. Here are some suggestions to make Mom feel extra special, even if you cannot be in her presence.
Send flowers. It’s a fragrant thought especially for moms living across country, but order soon and plan to pay more for a bouquet. There is a flower shortage. A challenged supply chain means fewer varieties on hand, increasing demand and prices. But isn’t Mom worth it? This gift certainly passes the sniff test for lifting a woman’s spirit, especially for those who will have to be without family another year.
Deliver a meal. There’s nothing better than relieving Mom of cooking duty, especially if she has to spend the holiday on her own. If you live close by, either deliver a home-cooked meal or pick-up takeout at her favorite restaurant and drop it off at her front door.
Mail a card or gift. Shop online or at some of the downtown stores in the Fox Valley for a special something for Mom. Future Neenah, a Be Safe Wisconsin partner, suggests some small shops to visit. Red Door Mercantile is one that offers gift ideas on its Facebook page. Or simply remind Mom what she means to you through a heartfelt card.
“As we celebrate Mother’s Day, remember vaccination is key, and is the ultimate best gift to your mother, yourself, your friends and neighbors,” Dr. Vogel adds. “Getting vaccinated is an act of love and wisdom!”
