For Latinos, the holidays mean weeks of getting together with family, food, drinks, posadas, and more. 2020 is changing that for everyone, especially because the coronavirus has hit Black and Latino communities at higher rates than any other demographic. Latinos are not only contracting COVID-19 at a higher rate than most, but according to the National Center for Health Statistics, members of the community are also bearing the mental health burden that comes with economic uncertainties and anxieties about their well-being as a result of the pandemic.
With the holidays just days away, it is imperative to create the safest celebrations possible, even if it means sacrificing one Noche Buena or midnight mass. Despite what your tio might have heard el noticiero say was safe, here’s what the CDC has outlined as activities that could risk spreading the virus:
With the holidays just days away, it is imperative to create the safest celebrations possible, even if it means sacrificing one Noche Buena or midnight mass. Despite what your tio might have heard el noticiero say was safe, here’s what the CDC has outlined as activities that could risk spreading the virus:
- Going to large, indoor gatherings with people you don’t already live with.
- Attending or going to heavily populated public spaces.
- Dining indoors with more than your household members.
- Dining outdoors in large groups (less likelihood of mask wearing).
- Shopping in crowded stores around or right after Thanksgiving (like shopping on Black Friday).
- Traveling—although even experts are mixed on what they consider safe, so consider everything when making a decision to travel.
Regardless of what your plans may be, make sure you wear a mask any time you are not in your home or car, wash your hands, and socially distance at a minimum of 6 feet. Here are a few suggestions for how to celebrate the holidays safely.
Host A Holiday Movie-Viewing Party
Early in the pandemic, Netflix and other streaming platforms introduced ways to let people in different homes watch films together. Through tools such as Teleparty, you can create an event just for you, your friends, and family to binge your holiday favorites while sheltering at home safely.
Make A Beautiful Dessert Together Over Zoom
Food stylist and recipe blogger Nicole Presley usually plays host during her family’s holiday festivities. But in order to keep vulnerable family members safe, Presley quickly thought of a fun way they could still share in some holiday delights together. “We are going to do a dessert with all my extended family via zoom,” she said. “Having dinner at the same time is nearly impossible for Latinos but setting up a dessert time to gather virtually is perfect! I wrote out the recipe onto a gorgeous recipe card and am sending it to my familia so they can make it in their homes. That way, we will at least be eating the same pie together, even if we can’t be physically together.”
Craft Together Over Zoom Or Facetime
Kathy Cano-Murillo, better known as the Crafty Chica, wanted to make staying home for the holidays fun for not just kids, but for holiday lovers of all ages. She recommends making these incredible Mexican Hot Chocolate Bombs at home and sending them to family before Christmas so that everyone can enjoy a nice hot cup of Mexican hot chocolate just the way mami makes it. Or, you can watch my favorite holiday tutorial for Concha Ornaments with friends and family everywhere, and join in on a 2020 bauble that you won’t want to throw away.
Play A Game At Home To Chase The No-Travel Blues Away
Latina artist Denise Cortes thinks the best way to keep family home and entertained is to create safe bonding activities together. But when your kids are teens or young adults, that takes some imagination. “Play a drawing game of Exquisite Corpse,” she shared. “It sounds creepy but really it’s sitting with your friends/family and drawing a person on a section of a piece of paper, folding it and then passing it to the next person to draw on — three sections is good. At the end, when you unfold the paper, you will have some cool, crazy, and funny art. Then, color them in together and be thankful you’re home and not out spreading and catching the ‘Rona.”
Connect With Family And Carol Together
When it comes to the holidays, One Day At A Time showrunner Gloria Calderón Kellett isn’t going to let the coronavirus stop her from bringing smiles to her family from afar. “I’m going to do FaceTime caroling!” she said. “Get ready to have me singing about ‘El Burrito de Belén!!’”
Share Dinner And A Playlist Together
In The Heights and Vida star Melissa Barrera is keeping it simple, especially since her familia is spread out everywhere. “I’m just going to be eating via zoom with my family from Australia. No stress holiday, and no worries about getting COVID!” For a little dinner boost, you can also do things like create your own playlist to share so that everyone has the right soundtrack for a virtual dinner reunion.
Book A Staycation!
The CDC recommends staying in a rental home or cabin, which is safer than staying in hotels or with a relative. The likelihood of sharing space with someone who is not in your household is greatly reduced if you have no communal spaces, like lobbies and elevators, to pass through. Also, it really depends on the relative and how much you trust them to abide by safer-at-home quarantine guidelines.