Happy New Year! ... We Hope.

• Position: CELEBRATIONS

New Year's is always a time of renewed hope and this especially is true for 2021, but with COVID-19 rates rising, is it possible to safely celebrate with family and friends? Laurie Brentlinger, assistant vice president of Infection Control and Prevention at Nuvance Health, Danbury, Conn., offers tips to protect yourself and loved ones during the holiday season.

"Although it may still be possible to continue some of your favorite New Year's traditions during the pandemic, you and your family and friends may need to adjust your usual plans to ensure that everyone can participate safely.

"Wearing a mask, practicing proper hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing reduces the chance of COVID-19 infection. When it comes to the risks of COVID-19 transmission, research has shown that indoor settings are riskier than outdoor environments; gathering in large groups is riskier than in small groups; and prolonged close contact is riskier than brief contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines close contact as being within six feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period."

It is important to consider where and how you are celebrating and assess your level of risk, indicates Brentlinger. Although some people choose to celebrate with a quiet family night in, others ring in the New Year at parties or outdoor community "ball drop" events. A crowded indoor event with shared food and beverages--even if it is at someone's house--would be riskier than an outdoor gathering that did not include shared food or beverages and allowed for social distancing.

Even if you are...