Omicron Variant and Holiday Tips

Published December 7, 2021
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What You Need to Know About the Omicron Variant

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant in the United States. Experts at CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to learn more about Omicron. The White House has also shared a plan to curb the spread of the Omicron and Delta variants. Key action steps include making it easier for everyone to access COVID-19 vaccines and encouraging all adults to get boosters. 

The bottom line: We have a lot to learn about the new Omicron variant. In the meantime, getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 — including any new variants. 

Talking Points to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff

Use these talking points to educate students, faculty, and staff about the Omicron variant. For example, you could share them on your campus intranet site, as an article in your campus newspaper, or in an email to your campus community. Or just keep them on hand to answer questions.

Protect Yourself from the New Omicron Variant

Omicron is a new variant of COVID-19. Here’s what we know about Omicron so far:

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed cases of Omicron in the U.S.
  • Omicron has a lot of mutations, or differences from the original COVID-19 virus and other variants. That means Omicron is likely to spread from person to person more easily.
  • Experts at CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to learn more about Omicron, and there’s a lot we don’t know yet. For example, experts aren’t sure if Omicron will make people sicker or less sick than the original COVID-19 virus.
  • Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 — and that includes new variants. So get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as possible. Learn more about boosters from CDC and visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine near you.
  • You can also help slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask when you’re traveling and in public places, like grocery stores and malls.

Get more tips to help you stay safe from COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant.

Social Media Content to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff

You can post this content on your campus social media accounts to educate students, faculty, and staff about the Omicron variant.

Facebook and Instagram

Experts are working to learn more about the new Omicron variant — and there’s a lot we don’t know yet. But getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and any new variants. So get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as possible. Find a vaccine near you: vaccines.gov.

Twitter

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from #COVID19, including the #Omicron variant. So get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as possible. Find a vaccine near you: vaccines.gov.

Stay Safe from COVID-19 This Holiday Season

The winter holiday season is here! This year, many of us are getting back into the swing of festive celebrations with family and friends. Unfortunately, big holiday gatherings also mean more chances for COVID-19 to spread.

You can help your campus community stay safe from COVID-19 over the holidays by sharing the talking points and social media content below. Since many campuses are updating COVID-19 guidelines for the spring semester, we’ve also included a reminder to students, faculty, and staff to check the latest guidelines before heading back to campus.

Talking Points to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff

Use these talking points to share COVID-19 holiday safety tips and remind everyone to check the latest COVID-19 guidelines before heading back to campus. For example, you could share these talking points on your campus intranet site, as an article in your campus newspaper, or in an email to your campus community. Or just keep them on hand to answer questions.

Stay Safe from COVID-19 This Holiday Season

The winter holidays are here, and many of us are getting back into the swing of festive celebrations with family and friends. No one wants to bring COVID-19 home for the holidays. So follow these tips to stay safe and protect the people you care about.

  • Get vaccinated. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. If you’re over 18 and it’s been a few months since you got vaccinated, it may be time for your booster. Learn more about boosters from CDC and visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine near you.
  • Take a test before you go. If you’re heading home or traveling for the winter break, it’s a good idea to take a COVID-19 test first. You can pick up a test at your local pharmacy. [If free tests are available on campus, add that information here.]
  • Wear a mask. Everyone needs to wear a mask on airplanes, trains, and buses, and in airports and public transit stations. And when you’re out shopping for the festivities, remember it’s always a good idea to wear a mask in public places like malls and grocery stores.
  • Pack some hand sanitizer. You know the drill — washing your hands or using hand sanitizer while you’re traveling can help you stay healthy.
  • Help family and friends stay safe. Older family members and loved ones with disabilities or serious health issues may need to take extra COVID-19 safety steps. Before you gather, ask if there’s anything you can do to help them out — like meeting up outdoors or wearing a mask during a visit.
  • If you’re feeling sick, play it safe. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, it’s best to stay home. If a test shows you didn’t have COVID-19 after all, the worst-case scenario is you stop a nasty cold from making its way through your favorite holiday party guest list.
  • Stay healthy all winter long. Follow CDC’s tips to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we’re taking steps to help the [insert campus name here] community stay healthy and safe. [If new guidelines have already been set for the spring semester, you can add details here.] Before you head back to campus for the spring semester, be sure to check [insert campus website here] for the latest info on our campus COVID-19 guidelines.

Social Media Content to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff

You can post this content on your campus social media accounts to share COVID-19 holiday safety tips and remind everyone to check the latest COVID-19 guidelines before heading back to campus for the spring semester.

Facebook and Instagram Post #1: COVID-19 Holiday Safety Tips

Don’t bring COVID-19 home for the holidays! Follow these tips to stay safe and protect the people you care about:

[checkmark emoji] Get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster ASAP. Find a vaccine near you: vaccines.gov
[checkmark emoji] Wear a mask when you travel and in public places
[checkmark emoji] Pack some hand sanitizer
[checkmark emoji] Stay home if you’re feeling sick

Facebook and Instagram Post #2: Check for Updated Campus Guidelines

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we’re taking steps to help the [insert campus name here] community stay healthy and safe. [If new guidelines have already been set for the spring semester, you can add specific details here.] Before you head back to campus for the spring semester, get the latest info on our campus COVID-19 guidelines: [insert campus website here]

Twitter Post #1: COVID-19 Holiday Safety Tips

Don’t bring #COVID19 home for the holidays! Follow these tips to stay safe and protect the people you care about:

[checkmark emoji] Get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster ASAP. Find a vaccine near you: vaccines.gov
[checkmark emoji] Wear a mask when you travel
[checkmark emoji] Stay home if you’re feeling sick

Twitter Post #2: Check for Updated Campus Guidelines

As the #COVID19 pandemic continues to evolve, we’re taking steps to help the [insert campus name here] community stay healthy and safe. Before you head back to campus, get the latest info on our campus COVID-19 guidelines: [insert campus website here]

Images for Sharing

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