It’s home for the holidays during COVID-19

Nelly Secundino, reporter

A good amount of students plan to stay home during the holidays due to COVID-19.

According to the Health Nexus “Holiday Travel Tips: How to Stay Safe during COVID-19″ by Cassie Drumm, originally, people shouldn’t be going out to different states or family gatherings during this pandemic. Traditionally, many people travel either out of the state or out of the county especially for the holidays to visit family and spend time with them. Due to COVID-19 this year, it’s going to be very risky traveling, knowing the risks of catching the coronavirus. Those who will be traveling on a plane can be at high risk of catching coronavirus because no one knows if their surroundings are well sanitized, and also depending on the number of people in the plane. Currently, people who plan to travel should stay 6 feet apart from each other, wear their masks, if someone is feeling sick they should stay at home, and be very careful around elders and young children. In a random poll of 56 students, 35 students reported that they will be staying home for the holidays this year, and 21 students reported that they are going out for the holidays.

“Every year I go to Mexico to visit my family for Christmas, so COVID-19 won’t be getting in my way as long as I know how to be careful and sanitized,” senior Esmeralda Flores said.

Many families travel every year for the holidays, even with COVID-19 around it seems to not stop people from going out.

“My family never goes out whether it’s a special occasion or a holiday. Due to COVID-19, I know my family won’t be going out especially since they are very safe people and are always cautious,” senior Jaime Santamaria said.

“I live in Michigan and every year I would go to Chicago to see my cousins for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Since COVID-19 happened, I’ll have to stay home this year for my safety and also my family’s safety,” Cynthia Machuca said.

Some people don’t travel for the holidays and even if they do, they see what risk they could be putting their family in so they are deciding to stay home this year.