There’s a lot to love about summertime. Consistently agreeable weather, favorable travel conditions and ample vacation time are just a few of the reasons so many of us spend the rest of the year anticipating summer’s arrival. Unfortunately, because of the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, certain summertime traditions need to be amended. This is particularly true in the case of gatherings. Although congregating with friends, family members and neighbors is a staple of the summer season, the highly infectious nature of the novel coronavirus and millions of Americans’ ridiculous aversion to vaccination have made such shindigs a risky venture. Safety-conscious individuals looking to enjoy low-risk summer gatherings would do well to heed the following tips.

Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

When it comes to keeping yourself and the people around you safe from COVID-19, nothing is more effective than getting vaccinated. So, unless you have a medical condition that precludes you from vaccination, take care to get your shot – or shots – at your earliest possible convenience. Millions of Americans refusing to get vaccinated despite the ready availability of vaccines has needlessly prolonged this pandemic and given rise to newer, deadlier COVID-19 variants. As such, this is a particularly dangerous time to be walking around unvaccinated. Additionally, given how widespread the Delta variant has become, it’s recommended that you mask up even when interacting with fully vaccinated individuals. 

Furthermore, hosting or attending a summer gathering without being vaccinated is the height of selfishness. Even if you personally aren’t concerned about the threat posed by COVID-19, remaining unvaccinated places the people around you at risk and shows a complete disregard for public health. If you want to take part in summertime gatherings and other pre-pandemic social activities, the only safe way to do so is by getting vaccinated. Not only are vaccines free, but they can also be found at virtually any medical facility or pharmacy in the U.S.  

Don’t Invite Unvaccinated Guests

While it may sound harsh, you should avoid including unvaccinated individuals in your summer gatherings. Whether they’re acting on dangerous misinformation or simply cannot be troubled to get a free, readily available vaccine, their presence places you and any other guests at risk. Not including unvaccinated individuals in your summer outings may place a strain on certain relationships, but protecting your health and the health of those around you is infinitely more important than drawing the ire of someone who’s too lazy or poorly informed to get vaccinated. Additionally, don’t allow yourself to be pressured or guilted into relaxing this policy.   

Purchase Fireworks Online

For many of us, fireworks are a staple of summer fun. In addition to enjoying the elaborate firework displays put on by cities and townships every Independence Day, we often include fireworks in family picnics, barbecues and other summertime gatherings. Since summer is the busiest time of year for buying fireworks, you can beat the crowds by purchasing them online. Not only will this save you a great deal of hassle, it will prevent you from interacting with potentially unvaccinated individuals. For maximum safety, make sure that when you buy fireworks online, the fireworks come from a company whose products have a reputation for quality. In addition, confirm that the fireworks you’re purchasing are not intended for professional displays.  

Encourage Proper Hygiene 

In addition to getting vaccinated, we must all take care to practice proper hygiene to limit the spread of virus particles and assorted droplets. With this in mind, make sure to stop up on hand sanitizer in advance of any summertime gathering, and place sanitizer containers in easily accessible areas throughout the venue. Furthermore, make sure that the people handling food prep are properly masked and working with meticulously clean hands. Again, given the immense rise of the Delta variant, guests should ideally be masked when they’re not eating – especially indoors. 

For many of us, summer is a time of fun, wonderment and togetherness. However, in light of the continuing threat presented by the novel coronavirus, changes need to be made regarding the way we enjoy various summertime staples. Although gathering and get-togethers are among everyone’s favorite summer pastimes, they must now be approached with a degree of caution. So, in the interest of protecting your health – and the health of those around you – put the previously discussed pointers to good use this summer.  

Ulani Uriah

Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.

Thanks