Spring is here! As the weather gets warmer, many of us may think back to a year when everything was normal and we could travel and have fun with our friends and family. Although this year is different, we can definitely still enjoy our spring break (or Wellness Days, for the schools that have them) while still remaining safe and protecting the health of those around us. President Biden recently stated that there should be enough vaccine doses for every American adult by May1 – let’s be cautious during spring break so that we can quickly reopen and have a normal summer!
Below are some fun ways to spend your spring break while still remaining safe, sources for volunteering during the pandemic, advice for traveling if you absolutely cannot avoid it, and information on vaccinations!
Ideas for Spring Break – Have fun and stay healthy!
- Spend time with your immediate family or people that are “in your bubble” – if you will see friends, try to maintain a small group, spend time outside, and avoid hanging out with those who are not COVID-19 cautious
- Reduce transmission by spending time outdoors – Go for hikes, kayak, or play a sport!
- Rent a movie at home
- Try a new recipe
- FaceTime a friend
- Have a picnic outdoors
- Look up craft ideas
- Read a new book
- Volunteer!!
Volunteering during the COVID-19 Pandemic
With many communities overwhelmed by the pandemic, there is a lot that you can do to help your community. You can find out more on your state or your town’s local website. Volunteer opportunities involve education and tutoring, food assistance, raising money for local organizations, volunteering at vaccination events, and more! You can also join the Student PIRGs for one of our virtual Spring Break Volunteer events.
Advice for Remaining Safe while Traveling
Although you should avoid traveling as much as possible, follow the tips below if you must travel during this spring break2:
- Know if you or those in contact with you are at increased risk for COVID-19
- Choose traveling mechanisms that will expose you to the fewest number of people (avoid high-density situations like planes or buses)
- Get tested 1-3 days before you travel. Keep your results with you, and DO NOT travel if you receive a positive test result
- Wear a mask at all times in public
- Avoid crowds and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet away from others – both indoors and outdoors
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and wait 2 weeks after your second dose before you begin traveling
- After returning, get tested within 3-5 days and self-quarantine for 7 full days, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, self-quarantine for 10 full days after returning.
Information about Vaccination
- The first step is to find out whether you qualify for a vaccine right now. You can do so by visiting this site, scrolling down to the blue box titled “How Do I Get a Vaccine?”, and entering your state. You will then be redirected to your state’s health department, which will have more information about how to determine whether you are eligible for a vaccine.
- Once you secure your vaccine appointment, take a look at this site where the CDC discusses what to do during and after vaccination, as well as how to approach getting the COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine around the same time. Remember to wear a mask while getting vaccinated. Also, it’s important to note that COVID-19 vaccines that require two shots may not protect you until 1-2 weeks after the second vaccination, given that your body needs time to build protection.
- If you have any concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, check out this CDC website that addresses common myths about the vaccine!