A survey conducted by KFF of approximately 1,400 adults found that about three-quarters do not worry about COVID-19 during the winter holidays.
In the survey, 74% of respondents said they were “not worried at all” or “not worried at all” about getting COVID-19 during the holiday season. Around 69% of respondents are “not too concerned” or “not worried at all” about spreading COVID-19 to others.
A little over half of respondents said they were concerned about the increase in hospitalizations and cases this winter. In the last three years, hospitalizations and cases have increased over the holiday season due to family gatherings as well as the cold weather.
The survey was conducted from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7.
- In September, 20% of respondents had already received the new COVID vaccination. Around 13% of respondents will receive it. 15% will probably get it. 17% will not get the vaccine. Moreover, 34% will definitely not get the vaccine.
- 34% of the people aged 65 and older have received this new vaccine. 15% of those aged 30-49 and 18% among those aged 18-29 also received it.
- 26% of Black adults have received the new vaccine. This is followed by 20% of Hispanic adults and 19% of White adults.
- Around half of the respondents said that they would take precautions during the holiday season, including avoiding large crowds or wearing a mask at large gatherings.
The CDC reports that COVID-19 indicators have been trending up a bit.
In a Friday report, the CDC reported that more than 16,000 hospitalizations were due to COVID last week. This is an 8.6% increase compared with the previous week. COVID-19 deaths increased by 9.1% from the previous week. COVID-19 was responsible for 2.4% of all deaths.
Avoid Holiday Foods That Are Naughty
It is a good idea to know which foods are bad for you. Use these tips to take it one step further:
- You will slow down your eating pace if you talk to others. Slow down your eating.
- When attending parties, it is best to sit or stand away from the buffet.
- Once you have had enough food, excuse yourself from the table.
- Sugar-free gum and sugar-free candies will help you curb your cravings.
The key point to remember is that you need to plan. If you know a holiday meal is later than the usual time for your normal meal, then you might add a snack to the mix.
Managing stress during the holiday season is just as important for people with diabetes.
“Always include ways to relieve stress, as it can have a negative impact on blood sugar levels.” Kimberlain suggested that people should meditate, journal, take a walk, or exercise to manage stress.
She said that before attending a holiday gathering, you should “check if you can view the menu to know all of the options.”
It is natural to continue to graze if food is close. She said to serve yourself and eat elsewhere. Stay hydrated by drinking water all day.
Kimberlain stated that while these tips are useful for people with diabetes to remember, it is better to speak with their healthcare provider to get individual recommendations.