Local Doctor Encourages Continuing to Take Precautions for Easter Gatherings

While some people are relaxing precautions associated with COVID-19 as more people are being vaccinated, a local doctor encourages those celebrating Easter this weekend to still exercise caution.

Anyone hosting or attending private get-togethers with family or friends in which some still have not been vaccinated should employ the standard mitigating strategies such as staying 6 feet apart, wearing masks and using hand sanitizer, said Dr. Jonathan Baktari, CEO and founder of e7 Health. He also encourages holding the gathering outdoors if possible, or ensuring good ventilation indoors by opening windows and doors.

Dr. Jonathan Baktari, CEO and founder of e7 Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines suggest those who have been fully vaccinated can go without wearing masks, but Baktari cautioned that before doing so, people should have waited 10-14 days after the second of a two-shot series or 14 days after a one-shot vaccine.

“In any combination of people, however, having amazing ventilation, wearing masks and hand sanitizer and the rest of the precautions would be ideal if available,” he said.

If attending church services or other public events is part of a family’s plan on Easter, “because we can’t guarantee who will and won’t be vaccinated, we should definitely try to maintain the 6 feet of distance with mask-wearing,” according to Baktari.