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The upcoming Labor Day weekend is crucial for Alabama’s exit from the current wave of COVID-19. UAB epidemiologist Suzanne Judd, Ph.D., discusses tips for staying safe during holidays and fall events.
The upcoming Labor Day weekend is crucial for Alabama’s exit from the current wave of COVID-19. UAB epidemiologist Suzanne Judd, Ph.D. discusses tips for staying safe during holidays and fall events. After a year of vacations and virtual celebrations, Alabama residents experienced a brief return to normal in May and June 2021, with COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations dropping to their lowest since the start of the pandemic. However, the emergence of the highly transmissible Delta variant and low vaccination rates have resulted in an increase in cases throughout Alabama and much of the South.
“Unfortunately, Alabama has seen a drastic increase in cases from the start of the summer,” said Suzanne Judd, Ph.D., epidemiologist and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. “In order to get out of the wave, precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of our community as fall approaches.”
Judd shares his tips on how to stay safe during Labor Day celebrations and upcoming fall activities.
To get vaccinated
Vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus are safe and effective. The vast majority of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are not vaccinated.
Wear a mask
The virus is circulating at high levels in Alabama. Judd advises everyone to wear a mask, regardless of immunization status, in indoor public places. Studies show that wearing masks reduces the spread of COVID-19 by 30 to 70%. Masking over the Labor Day weekend could prevent at least 3,500 and up to 6,000 cases the following week, Judd says.
The upcoming Labor Day weekend is crucial for Alabama to break out of the current wave. Judd notes that taking precautions now, such as immunizations, physical distancing, wearing masks, and staying home if you experience symptoms, no matter how small, can help stop this wave. Along with safety precautions, increasing vaccination rates is important to help prevent further flare-ups and allow Alabamians to celebrate future holidays and events without a mask.
Doctors at UAB also agree that universal masking is an effective way to reduce transmission. UAB studied the effects of universal masking and found that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 among healthcare workers at UAB hospital was reduced by 68 percent in the early days of the pandemic.
In addition, Rachael Lee, MD, Assistant Professor at Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB and the lead author of the UAB study, refers to a study in china who found face masks to be 79% effective in preventing transmission in households.
Judd notes that fewer cases are expected to translate into a shorter wave in the current outbreak. She also suggests that masking and physical distancing during daily activities could reduce cases enough to end the wave before Halloween.
Grouping precautions
Fall in Alabama is normally filled with vacations and fun events, and Judd admits it’s tempting to attend large gatherings during this time. With the current spike in cases and high transmission levels, she suggests it’s safer to postpone these activities until later in the fall. Currently, she says, groups of less than 10 are ideal and only if the whole group is vaccinated.
UAB offers free vaccines at the UAB Injection Clinic at the Kirklin Clinic. Appointments are available at uabmedicinevaccine.org, but walkups are also allowed. Find a vaccination clinic near you by visiting Vaccinfinder.org.
Parents celebrating and attending events with children ineligible to receive the vaccine are encouraged to watch for any symptoms the children develop. For now, let’s assume all cold or flu symptoms could be COVID-19. Avoid symptomatic people and do not share items such as glasses and silverware when eating or drinking. Parents should remember that even if they are vaccinated, they can pass the virus on to their unvaccinated children.
Precautions to take when traveling
While the safest option is to stay at home or in your local community, Judd recognizes that travel for vacation, work, or activities is common throughout the fall. Layering protective methods while traveling can help reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus.
All travelers should wear a mask and avoid large gatherings. For travelers who can’t avoid large gatherings, Judd suggests wearing a KN95 style mask and eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield. If you only choose one, the mask should be the first choice. People should carefully watch for any symptoms that arise after travel and get tested if they occur.
The upcoming Labor Day weekend is crucial for Alabama to break out of the current wave. Judd notes that taking precautions now, such as immunizations, physical distancing, wearing masks, and staying home if you experience symptoms, no matter how small, can help stop this wave. Along with safety precautions, increasing vaccination rates is important to help prevent further flare-ups and allow Alabamians to celebrate future holidays and events without a mask.
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