As we gear up for the holidays, it's tempting to meet up with friends and family that we haven't seen in a while. This may do more harm than good as we all try to do our part keeping COVID-19 numbers down. There are many potential vaccines for COVID-19 currently being studied, but there's still some time before we see one that is proven safe, effective, and easily distributed. While we wait, it's necessary that we continue to observe health guidelines and maintain our household bubbles.

According to the BCCDC, right now everyone in BC must limit their in-person social gatherings to the people they live with. Do not invite people over to your home, and do not go to someone else's home to visit. The exception to this is if you live alone, then you can have one or two people who do not live with you in your core bubble. This could be a partner, relative, close friend, or co-worker.

You can still get together with a friend or relative to enjoy a bike ride, walk, or another outdoor activity as long as you take proper precautions (such as wearing a mask) and follow proper social distancing (6 feet apart). Just make sure that it does not become a social gathering or a group meeting outside. If caught, you can be subject to a $200 fine.

Make sure that the people in your household are consistent and safe; meaning that they reduce their mixing and mingling with others outside of the household. It's important to have clear conversations with those in your bubble about how to minimize everyone's risk of exposure, and to be honest if someone gets sick. Those in your household bubble should be on the same page and be committed to wearing masks in public, washing their hands frequently, keeping good physical distance from others, and letting you know if they become unwell. Maintaining your bubble reduces the risk of exposing others in your household and makes it easier to trace exposure if someone does get sick.

With much of the world on travel lockdown, here are some ways to make the ordinary more special, and feel a little closer to those friends and family that you haven't seen in a while:

• Create craft together. Have the family purchase the same craft supplies and construct your projects together over a video call, a great shared activity for the kids!
• Deliver a meal to a friend and host a virtual dinner. The perfect way to enjoy a meal together.
• Schedule a group exercise class via video for your closest pals – You're doing everyone a service! Call it being proactive for all the holiday calories you know will be consumed.
• Send notes of gratitude to family members to show them you're thinking of them.
• Host an online game: Scribbl, Among Us, and Codenames, are a few fan favourites. Check out this list for even more options - the best part is that they're all free!

If you do start to feel unwell, it's encouraged to self isolate, limit your interactions with others in your household, avoid close contact with anyone you do not live with, complete a COVID self assessment test, and get tested (if recommended). All members of your household bubble should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 or if they feel unwell.

In the words of Dr. Bonny Henry, (British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer), remember to be kind, be calm, and be safe, as we work together to do our part to flatten the curve.