5 Ways to Save a Life this Holiday Season

By Paul Taylor, FEMA Region 7 Administrator and Capt. Dana Hall,
Region 7 Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services/ Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and
Response.

Remember back in the spring when we heralded our health care
workers who so bravely faced this new enemy known as COVID-19? As a
nation, we recognized their sacrifices. We cheered them. We fed
them. We made them masks. We held up signs with messages of
support.

For eight months, those workers have continued to help us. They
have put their lives on the line to care for and comfort us. To
heal us. And to save us.

Now, more than ever, they need our help. The COVID-19 cases here
in the Midwest and throughout the country are rising. Our hospitals
are approaching dangerous levels where the number of patients is
close to exceeding the ability to care for them. Recently, more
than 1 million new cases of COVID were diagnosed across the country
in less than one week.

The solution is not as simple as creating more beds or extra
space. It boils down to having the staff needed to care for all
patients, whether or not they have COVID-19.

The same can be said for our first-responders, teachers, grocery
workers, restaurant workers, government workers and business
owners. They are all doing their best every day to help us, teach
us, feed us and provide us with supplies and services.

Now it’s our turn. We have to double our efforts to help all
of them, and ourselves, by not getting sick or spreading the
disease. The solutions are not hard. And we won’t have to do them
forever.

1. By taking five simple steps, you can save a life this holiday
   season, including your own. Wear a mask.
2. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. You have no
   idea who touched a surface before you, and whether they are
   sick.
3. Practice physical distancing indoors and out. Stay at least 6
   feet apart.
4. Limit gathering sizes to the smallest number possible. It’s
   tempting to gather the whole family for these important holidays.
   This year, consider doing it another way. Use technology to
   connect. Or send a thoughtful card or letter instead for Christmas,
   Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other December holidays.
5. Take precautions every day. Treat everyone – including
   yourself – as a possible carrier. Many cases of COVID have been
   diagnosed in people who didn’t show symptoms. You may think your
   family members or close friends are safe because you know them, and
   you think they are being careful. But often, you don’t know who
   THEY have been around and how safe those other people are.

It’s up to each of us to do the right thing. COVID is real.
And so are the risks to ourselves, our families, our health care
workers, our first responders and others.

Following these steps can make a big difference. Listen to the
medical professionals and local officials who are providing
important guidance. Help your neighbors or friends who need it. And
take care of yourself. Your life is worth it!

For more information on how to protect you and your family from
COVID-19, visit Ready.gov/pandemic.