Now that the weather is cooling and the holidays are approaching, public health officials are urging us to be more vigilant than ever about following the practices that have proven to be the most effective measures in slowing the spread of COVID.

The Tri-County Health Department has released a detailed list of guidelines we all should follow. Adhering to this guidance is essential to prevent a spike in COVID cases, which have been rising in recent weeks throughout Colorado and much of the U.S., and are now threatening to push the County back into some of the restrictive measures that were in place earlier this year.

All public health experts agree that avoiding large gatherings is a must right now, as is wearing masks, practicing frequent hand-washing, and maintaining social distance when you are with others. Among Tri-County’s additional tips:

• Don’t assume that a small gathering of friends or family is automatically safe. If you are going to host or attend a party, plan it in advance to ensure that everyone maintains social distancing.
• Make it clear to all potential attendees that anyone who feels sick or is exhibiting any COVID symptoms should skip the party and stay home. This is especially crucial for vulnerable populations.
• Consider inviting people to attend in shifts.
• Clean and sanitize frequently and thoroughly throughout the party and have plenty of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer available for guests.
• If you’re inside, open doors and windows to increase ventilation, and offer masks or face coverings to anyone who doesn’t have them.

These are just some of the recommendations Tri-County has made; Tri-County also has issued Halloween-specific tips to keep everyone as safe as possible during the season's first holiday. We urge everyone to read both documents so you can take the steps necessary to preventing the spread of COVID while still spending some much-needed time with friends and family.