OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Fourth of July is right around the corner but in the midst of a pandemic, the holiday festivities may be a little different.
“I think the important things are the guidelines over physical distancing,” said Dr. Mark Rupp, the Chief of Infectious Diseases at Nebraska Medicine. “If you’re going to have a celebration try to do it to people you’re closest to and have been close to so your immediate family members."
Dr. Rupp recommended celebrating outdoors rather than indoors. He said people should also wear a mask if they’re in close contact with other people.
“It’s hard to predict that sometimes so it’s best if you’re wearing the mask when you’re in those kinds of settings,” Rupp said. “Maintain that physical distancing and be judicious in who you invite to your gatherings. This isn’t something where the whole neighborhood can come over. You need to be selective in the people you associate with.”
Rupp also recommended people to bring their own refreshments and foods to a gathering and sticking with that.
“The days of having the big buffet line where everybody is touching the same eating utensils and serving utensils should be gone,” Rupp said. “That’s too dangerous.”
Tossing a football or Frisbee is fine as long as people hand sanitize. As well, Dr. Rupp said it’s important for people to not forget about other Fourth of July safety measures such as wearing shoes, gloves and eye protection when shooting off fireworks.
“All of those things haven’t taken a vacation because we’re in a pandemic,” Rupp said.
The Fourth of July may have a different feel this year, but as long as people practice safe measures, people can create new traditions and memories this weekend.
“It will be great to be home and not be going to big celebrations. We can light off our own fireworks and it will be nice to keep it smaller with our families and keep it more personable,” said Blair Jaworski, an Omaha-resident.
Dr. Rupp added food safety is still important and to make sure meat is thoroughly cooked through to avoid going to the hospital with a food borne illness.
Watch reporter Phil Bergman’s story in the above video.