What activities are safe to do post-COVID vaccination?
Getting COVID vaccinated holds the doors to a lot of key factors which could possibly help us get back to normalcy- from resuming work, meeting people or just going out, there definitely are a lot of benefits to do with timely vaccination right now.
However, there could still be activities which may not be the wisest to do right now, courtesy the Delta variant of the virus which continues to spread.
Not only are we not totally out of the clear yet, the Delta variant of the virus is now responsible for adding caseloads across the world in a devastating manner. It still is one of the most dominant strains in India and is known to spread easily, cause severe symptoms, and infect even those who have been vaccinated. Thus, being complacent, or avoiding following protocols at this moment could still put you at grave risk, and make you vulnerable to catching COVID-19, despite being fully immunized.
While vaccination is a good defensive tool, we tell you about some of the activities which are the safest to engage in right now, and the ones you should be cautious of:
When is it the safest to resume activities post-vaccination?
Do remember that any activity would be considered to be minimally risky once you have been fully-vaccinated, i..e, have been vaccinated with two doses. While the first dose could offer some level of protection, it's only after the second dose that a person is considered fully immunized and has peak immunity against coronavirus.
You can meet people who are vaccinated
Experts suggest that it's safe for vaccinated people to do activities and resume chores they once did before the pandemic, which means that vaccinated people can meet other people or participate in group activities without having an extreme risk of infection like before. However, while it can be difficult to know if people all around are vaccinated (or who's not), the safest thing to do would be to engage with people who are fully vaccinated as well, since the likelihood of infection, transmission and contagion comes down by a good notch.
Post-vaccination, it would be relatively safer for people to gather around people who are considered to be high-risk, such as senior citizens, children or those with comorbidities. However, masks and COVID appropriate measures are still advisable to follow.
To add another step of precaution, gatherings would be safest to be conducted in settings which are well-ventilated (or outdoors) and preferably in small numbers since it mitigates the risk of airborne transmission by a great extent. Sanitizers, masks and distancing should be cautiously used.
Even if you are hosting events, or attending one, the ones being held outside would be relatively safer.
Going to parks, outdoor venues is preferrable
People have been long confined to their homes and with restrictions being opened up, people who have been vaccinated could be considering moving about, exercising or just engaging in fresh air outside. As per doctors, not only does some level of physical activity empower your immune system, post-vaccination, it would be wisest to do so in parks and open recreational centres, as the virus may not have high chances of survival there. Gyms and indoor sports centres, although have opened up, may carry a certain degree of infection risks, as they could be crowded or less ventilated. Hence, for the foreseeable future, spending time outdoors would be the most ideal thing to do. If you do go to the gym, the best would be to go in staggered timings, and ensure there's no unnecessary crowding there.
Masks while exercising can be opted for. However, if you engage in intense sports, do consult with a doctor first.
While going to parks and open gyms, make sure again that you go at times where there's lesser crowds and adequate distancing would be followed.
Some indoor gatherings may be safer than others
While there's some skepticism and risks that entail indoor settings in relation to coronavirus, some gatherings, or activities being conducted indoors are safer to do than others.
For example, if you happen to meet people over, or visit their home, indoor settings are a good option if everybody has been fully vaccinated. Attending offices, or work, or going to restaurants for that matter, do come with a certain level of risk, but could be deemed safer to do if everybody chooses to wear masks, maintains distance and adequate checks are followed. While going to restaurants, try and pick locations which are spaced well, and of course, follow dedicated hygiene and disinfection protocols. Remove your masks, only when you sit down to eat and ensure your table is sanitized well.
Going to grocery stores, shops, hospitals are indoor settings which come with some level of risks. Thus, while some of these could be essential to go to or visit, ensure you follow ALL protocols well and safeguard yourself. Minimizing or limiting the time you spend outdoors while you visit these venues would be ideal.
Follow strict guidelines while travelling
Travelling is beginning to pick up pace and many are flocking to outdoor locales. With travelling, the risks of infection could be complicated, but getting vaccinated only lessens the risk, does not eliminate it. The way you travel, or the place you go to could determine how risky, or safe it is.
Try to pick a spot where there's a low risk of contagion, less crowded and most of all, follow all preventive measures. Some states also require travellers (vaccinated/ unvaccinated) to get a COVID test done, so do accordingly.
As for hotels and venues, visits and excursions would still be the safest to do if you keep using masks, limit the exposure rate and travel in safer bubbles (i.e. around vaccinated people, places with an established safety net). Quarantining for some days, before and after travel would be beneficial.
As for the mode of travelling, whether you are going by a flight/ train or a bus, follow heightened preventive measures. Double masking can be critical. Try and not crowd, and follow distancing protocols. Even wiser would be to travel by your own car, if you can, and limit external infection risks.
What should you keep doing?
As has been mentioned above, the real emphasis, even during the current spell of infections, remains on following basic preventive measures- mask wearing, social distancing and COVID appropriate behaviour. Remember, while vaccination minimizes many risks of infection, cuts severity and mortality rates, it is still possible to get infected (even if its a milder infection) or get reinfected, if you have contracted the disease before. Hence, following basic protocols and hygine measures wouold offer a good level of security, and make life a tad bit easier for you.