Is it safe to go to weddings, dine indoors, and plan vacations for 2022?
There is no hard and fast rule here. Anthony Fauci, the White House Medical advisor, shared what he would do in the following settings in an interview published Wednesday.
"I would want to make sure that the wedding had a rule that if you are not vaccinated, you don't come to the wedding."
"I certainly would not have diner indoors with people who are not vaccinated."
On planning vacations for 2022: "I would believe that that would be safe because a) I'm vaccinated, b) I'm boosted, c) It's pretty safe traveling on a plane."
How early should I get tested before an event or trip?
Experts have suggested taking a test hours, not days, before an event where there would be mixing, like a party or traveling, per Insider reporting.
Lateral flow or antibody tests still work with Omicron, according to the UK's health agency. However, if you're showing symptoms of COVID-19, the CDC advises using a PCR test, which is more sensitive than a lateral flow.
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How do I know if I caught Omicron?
Scientists might be able to figure out what variant you got, but you probably will never know.
Another way to determine what variant is making someone sick is to do whole-genome sequencing.
But, at least in the US, it is illegal to share sequencing data with patients because the tests have not been approved for results, Insider's Aria Bendix previously reported.
The best practice is to keep wearing a mask indoors, try to keep your distance, wash your hands often, and get tested before mixing, the head of the CDC Rochelle Walenskysaid Tuesday.
How can I reduce the risk to my loved ones over the holidays?
The best way to prevent Omicron is to get fully vaccinated and boosted, Walensky said. "Get your kids vaccinated, if they are eligible," she said.
In the run-up to the holidays, Walensky said to take extra care over masking, social distancing, hand washing, "and making sure that the people you're going to be gathering with are doing those things as well."
"If you want that extra reassurance, always a good idea to test before you gather and mix households," she said.
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