News Flash

For Immediate Release

02/06/2021    

COVID-19 Information

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVID-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Vaccine Information

Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVIDvaccine
Onsite at vaccine clinics: Text rocopod to 888777 or tune into 88.7 FM for updates

Rowan County COVID-19 Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Safer Ways to Celebrate Super Bowl #55

Each year, football fans look forward to the Super Bowl, whether their favorite team is playing or not. This event is a time for fellowship, friendly competition, great food, a chance to view the latest and greatest commercials, as well as a chance to see the anticipated halftime performance. No matter what your favorite part is, it is definitely a fun night! Unfortunately with COVID, this year’s event will need to be a little different--just as so many of our celebrations have been for over the past year.   With that said, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines on attending Super Bowl celebrations.

As of last week, the CDC advised that attending large gatherings like Super Bowl parties can increase your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. With that being said, CDC is highly recommending that you watch the game at home with the people you live with, instead of hosting a gathering where others are coming into your home or by going to a gathering with people outside your immediate family. 

If you do choose to attend an event outside your home, CDC suggest that it would be wise of you to contact the venue or host/hostess to ensure that all necessary steps are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This means in addition to practicing the 3W’s, you should watch the game in a well-ventilated room with a limited number of people-- no more than 10 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.

Realizing that food is a HUGE part of any Super Bowl party, it is important to remember that potlucks, such as those in past, should be put on pause during the pandemic. For this Sunday’s event, health officials highly suggest serving treats that come in snack-size packages and/or individualized dips like hummus or guacamole as a safer way to celebrate. Another suggestion is to serve mini pizzas and/or to serve snacks in small serving cups instead of allowing people to serve themselves. Basically, anything that doesn’t involve using the same serving utensil is definitely the safer option.

If you are planning to serve a larger meal, you should plan ahead so you have time to portion out dishes for each guest. Takeout is also a great option to consider, especially since each meal will arrive individually plated, it’s easy to clean-up afterwards; and not to mention, you would be supporting local restaurants in your area by doing this.

If a small get- together makes you uneasy, keep in mind that you could also turn your annual watch party into a virtual one by using Zoom, FaceTime or the new virtual watch party function on Evite. By doing this, you are keeping each individual family safe, while being able to enjoy each second of the game together, but from afar.

Jay Wolfson, a Public Health professor from the University of South Florida, hopes people look for common ground and exercise common sense.  “Wear the darn mask, especially when around folks you don’t live with, socially distance yourself, wash your hands, carry hand sanitizer and use common sense. Remember if you are hosting a small gathering; keep your bathrooms clean by wiping them down with antibacterial wipes several times during your event and keeping paper towels and sanitizers well-stocked.” 

As far as cheering on the Chiefs or on the Buccaneers, the CDC suggests that you become more creative in that area, as well.  Since research now shows that chanting or cheering actually spreads the coronavirus more easily, maybe a dance, clipping one’s hands, or stomping one’s feet may be the safer way to cheer on your favorite team.  In addition to this, also remember to limit your alcohol consumption so you can make wiser decisions. By doing this, you are not only helping to possibly stop the spread of COVID, but you are also making sure that you can be a responsible driver  once   Sunday night’s celebrations are over. 

Stay safe, continue to practice the 3W’s, and may the best team win!!

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Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - February 6, 2021 (PDF)