Traveling for Christmas: Don't take the omicron variant home for the holidays

Avoid large "high risk" gatherings for the holidays, caution top US infectious disease experts.

By Dana James

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Health

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December 23, 2021

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If Americans aren't careful, they could take something extra home for the holidays: the omicron variant.

“I also want to be sure people understand the risks around holiday travel. Holiday gatherings and risk of travel really has less to do with the airplane or car ride and much more to do with how people from different households behave in the weeks to days before meeting up,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during Wednesday’s White House COVID-19 Response Team Press briefing. “Importantly, consider gathering with family and friends who are also practicing similar proper prevention measures.”

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Author

Dana James

Dana James is an award-winning writer who founded Black Iowa News in 2020 and the Black Iowa Newspaper in 2023. Born and raised in Des Moines, Dana tells stories that center Black Iowans’ lived experiences and amplify their voices. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Grand View University. She serves as secretary of the Iowa Association of Black Journalists.