With 2021 bringing a COVID-19 vaccine that is now readily available for all Americans over the age of five, you might think that the upcoming holiday season will be much more robust than last year’s when it comes to family gatherings.
But it appears that might not be the case.
A new Harris poll by Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center shows that nearly 72% will limit holiday gatherings to members of their immediate household, while 51% will request that attendees at their functions mask up.
That 51% is less than last year’s total of 67%.
"You can have a safe gathering without a lot of additional precautions,'' said Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser of the Wexner Medical Center.
"With all guests vaccinated, you don’t need to use masks or force the celebration outdoors. You can have a normal holiday as you would any other year.
“Unvaccinated individuals really pose the greatest threat, and that’s when it becomes necessary to put some rules and precautions in place, even though those conversations can be a little bit awkward.”
Additionally, 50% of respondents said they would ask potential guests if they were vaccinated against COVID-19, and 46% said they would ask the uninoculated to get a negative COVID-19 test before arriving at the festivities.
The poll surveyed 2,042 people from October 29 to November 1.
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