From Fedhealth’s side we want to thank you, our members, for your compliance this year – not only as responsible members of the Scheme, but also as responsible South African citizens.

Thank you for taking COVID-19 safety measures seriously, for rethinking or postponing elective procedures, and doing everything in your power to stay healthy and out of hospital during these times.

Talking about elective procedures and/ or surgeries, our advice is still to hold off on undergoing them for as long as possible, or at least until we can safely say that South Africa is out of the woods. This is to avoid overburdening the healthcare system in care of a second wave of infections, and to protect you from possible infections contracted in-hospital. That said, each individual case should be considered on its own merits, and you should trust your healthcare professional’s advice.

Fedhealth is well placed to keep taking care of your health in the year to come, but let’s not become complacent and let our guards down over the holiday period.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has shared the following tips to consider over the festive period to limit the spread of the pandemic:

Food and drinks at small holiday gatherings
• Encourage guests to bring food and drinks for themselves and for members of their own household only; avoid potluck-style gatherings.
• Wear a mask while preparing food for or serving food to others who don’t live in your household.
• All attendees should have a plan for where to store their mask while eating and drinking. Keep it in a dry, breathable bag (like a paper or mesh fabric bag) to keep it clean between uses.
• Have one person who is wearing a mask serve all the food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
• Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable items like salad dressings, food containers, plates and utensils, and condiments.
• Make sure everyone washes their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after preparing, serving and eating food and after taking trash out. Use hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Designate a space for guests to wash hands after handling or eating food.
• Avoid crowded buffet and drink stations.
• Change and launder linen items (like tablecloths, linen napkins) immediately following the event.
• Wash dishes in the dishwasher or with hot soapy water immediately following the gathering.

Staying overnight or hosting overnight guests
• Visitors should launder clothing and masks, and stow luggage away from common areas upon arrival.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially upon arrival.
• Wear masks while inside the house. Masks may be removed for eating, drinking, and sleeping, but individuals from different households should stay at least 2m away from each other at all times.
• Improve ventilation by opening windows and doors or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation.
• Spend time together outdoors. Take a walk or sit outdoors at least 2m apart for interpersonal interactions.
• Avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors.
• Treat pets as you would other human family members – don’t let pets interact with people outside the household.
• Monitor hosts and guests for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.
• Hosts and guests should have a plan for what to do if someone becomes sick.

With a few minor adjustments, we can all enjoy our family’s company this festive season while limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html