Remember back in March, when Zoom was like a shiny new toy and we liked playing with it every day? But fast forward through months of virtual happy hours, family reunions, game nights and get togethers and we’re kind of over it. And now that some states are easing up on coronavirus restrictions, people are trying to figure out how to safely see their friends again.

Interacting with people does come with some risk, but according to the CDC, we can make it safer if:

We maintain at least six feet of space between people.
We meet in outdoor spaces.
We wear masks.

And if you’re ready for some social interactions that don’t require a a Zoom password, here are some suggestions for in-person gatherings:

Only meet in small groups - The CDC doesn’t put an exact number on how many people makes for a safe group, but smaller groups meeting outside and staying at least six feet apart while wearing face masks and not sharing objects are considered lower risk than medium-sized or large group gatherings where it’s harder to stay far enough apart. And as much as you want to hug your besties after all these months, avoiding physical contact is still advised.
Get prepared - When you meet up with folks you haven’t been quarantining with, it’s okay to set some boundaries. Be honest with your friends about your comfort level and make a game plan for your meet-up so when it arrives, you can jump into catching up and having fun instead of figuring out who’s okay with what.
Stick to food, drinks and conversation - For now, it’s best to stick to activities that require the least amount of touching shared surfaces. So save the game night for later and bring your own food, drinks and such to limit the things you're all touching as a group.
If you’re not ready, it’s okay to say no - It’s okay if you really want to see your friends, but you’re just not ready to socialize in person yet. They’ll understand, so don’t be afraid to do what feels right for you.

Source: PureWow

CMT Cody Alan