 | By Paola de Varona, Associate News Editor | | As we approach the holidays, now is the perfect time to get your booster shot if you're eligible. I plan on getting mine next week before I reunite with my extended family this Thanksgiving.
But whether you're hopping on a plane or road-tripping, there are some other steps you should take to ensure you have a safe and healthy holiday this year. | | | Today's Top Story | | What to Consider Before You Travel |  | This year is our second holiday season celebrated during a pandemic. Navigating COVID cases and tough conversations about vaccines is no easy task.
In Verywell Health's latest vaccine sentiment survey, we asked survey respondents about their plans this year. Most Americans—62%—are planning to visit friends or family outside of their household during the upcoming holidays. Almost a third (30%) are planning to travel away from home.
If you haven't solidified your plans, here are two things to consider: COVID cases and vaccination rates in your travel destination. For example, if the state you're considering traveling to has lower COVID-19 case counts and high vaccination rates, it may be a safe destination. We even made a map with all the info you need.
Currently, the entire U.S. is classified as having high or substantial COVID community transmission. This means that even if you're fully vaccinated, you should be masking in public. It's especially important to wear your mask in crowded areas—outdoors or indoors. | | Know More | | If you have children 5 and older, you should aim to get them at least partially vaccinated before any travel. Keep in mind that the Pfizer vaccine is part of a two-dose series, which means the shots need to be spaced 21 days apart. | | Feel Better | | There are some additional ways to be safe before and after your travels. Get your booster, consider getting tested no more than three days before you leave, and monitor for COVID symptoms once you return. | | |  | | Our map has all the information you need ahead of the holidays. You can check out COVID case rates, vaccination rates, mask mandates, and more here. |  |  | | How to Survive a Crowd Surge | | A crowd surge killed at least eight people and injured many more at the Astroworld Festival on Friday. This isn't the first time a crowd surge has become so dangerous at a concert. When a large group tries to get into one space at once, people can fall, and pressure in the area can make it hard to breathe. Experts stress that it's the responsibility of the venue and event organizers to prevent this from happening. But if you do find yourself in a potentially dangerous crowd surge, it's crucial to get out as soon as you can. | | | | COVID Cases Are Spiking Abroad | | Europe and Central Asia are once again at the epicenter of the pandemic. Why? Likely because of low vaccination rates and social distancing measures that were relaxed too soon. Experts say it's unlikely we'll see similar surges in the U.S. Even if cases and hospitalizations do rise, it'll probably be contained to unvaccinated pockets of the U.S. but not the entire country. | | | | | | | |  | | In an interview with Verywell, William Schaffner, MD, professor of preventive medicine and health policy at Vanderbilt University, shares how families reuniting for the holidays can stay safe even as cases rise abroad. |  | | People should continue to be very cautious. Does that mean grandma and grandpa can't be with the family at Thanksgiving? Of course they can do that. But everybody who attends should be well vaccinated. | |  |  | William Schaffner, MD
Professor of preventive medicine and health policy at Vanderbilt University
| | | Keep Reading | | | ■ | Getting Back to Normal Is Only Possible if You Test Positive. The Atlantic | | | | | ■ | Your Thanksgiving Turkey Is Going to Cost You. Vox | | | | | ■ | Is City Living Bad for Your Health? Discover | | | | | | | |  |     | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
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