Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says there’s no way around it, a significant adjustment is needed for this holiday season. He said coronavirus brings with it a significant threat of spread over the next couple of weeks.
Stack advises limiting gatherings to eight people from, at most, two households during this time. The public health official admits better yet is to skip in-person gatherings completely. “If you get together with people with whom you do not live, you should assume someone in that group is infected, and if you eat and drink and take your masks off, you should assume you are at high risk of getting infected. The disease is that widespread at this point,” said Stack
Dr. Stack is urging citizens across the Commonwealth to stay put over the next couple of weeks. During the past nine months, public health officials have talked about the threat of coronavirus transmission through travel. Stack said that’s certainly the case this holiday season.
Much attention this week has centered on the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. Stack noted it’s not yet clear about distribution of the vaccine to people outside of long term care, front line caregivers, and first responders. He added that’s where patience comes into play.?
Stack said masks should be worn at all time if out in public anywhere along with six feet of social distance. Kentucky has established a COVID-19 hotline which is 800-722-5725. Stack noted questions about the availability of a coronavirus vaccination should not be made at this number.
