The Berrien County Health Department is urging everyone to plan for the holidays around COVID-19. Speaking Thursday, Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said with the cases and hospitalizations up in October, it becomes even more important to be cautious. That means wearing a mask when indoors and near people not from your household, frequent hand washing, and distancing.
“People are infectious before they develop symptoms, and that’s why it’s become so important for everybody to universally follow those practices,” Britten said.
Britten said we can get through one holiday season doing things differently. Meanwhile, the department is planning for the distribution of a vaccine if one becomes available. They’ve had some practice.
“It’s not like open up a big gym, have all the people pile in, and vaccinate them. The health department, yesterday we for the first time did a drive-through vaccination clinic for influenza. So we’;re sort of practicing what they would look like and acquiring the equipment to be sure we can do that smoothly.”
Britten said it’s true there are many people who will refuse to get vaccinated. All the health department can do is make the vaccine available and be transparent.
