KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Many people look forward to the holidays to have a good time with friends and family, but the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department is reminding them as Christmas and the new year approach, COVID-19 is still spreading.
"The message we want to get out is, it's really important that we accept this holiday season has to be different so that everybody can be here to celebrate next year," said Frank Thompson, deputy director of the health department.
A lot of people are tired of COVID-19 and want things to go back to the way they were.
"As long as I get to see people, that's fine with me, 'cause I've been in the house and I hate it," said Caelyn Gatlin, who lives in Kansas City.
However, the health department is expecting a rise in COVID cases after Christmas.
Instead of going to a large gathering, they say to celebrate at home with the people in your household or "pod."
"Those are people that you have regular contact and interaction with, but that you know what their exposure is. You know for certain what their exposure is," Thompson said. "If there's anyone you're uncertain about for any reason, please do not bring them into your home."
Thompson said the community must be 70% to 75% immunized to gain control over the virus, but that may not happen until summertime.
Many holiday parties and New Years Eve bashes are canceled, but J. Rieger and Co. distillery is cranking out its signature cocktails and to-go packages so people can still feel fancy at home.
"We took the time to design a special label and we've recently expanded our offerings here cause we've seen such great success," said Derek Branham, bar manager at the distillery. "Hopefully for the people who are unable or don't feel comfortable spending their time out or in bars and restaurants this year can have something fun to celebrate with at home."
Folks 41 Action News talked to are still celebrating the holidays, although it won't be the same.
"I'm going to stay at home with my family. Me and my wife and son, just take it easy. Social distance," Kevin Leverette said.
Mike Fisher and his family just moved back to Kansas City and will be seeing family this year.
"We're just going to try to be cautious, keep masks on and keep ourselves distanced as much as possible," Fisher said. "So that feels a little bit weird, but we still want to spend time with family so we're going to try to make the best of that."
Gatlin said usually her whole family would be at one house, playing cards and laughing. This year they can't do that.
"At my granny's house people rotate through so everybody stops by, gets their food and gets their present and leave, and that's pretty much it so we can keep it under 10," Gatlin said.
Although many are ready to kick 2020 to the curb, it's shown some people what's truly important.
"It's a lot of things to be thankful for and we are at this time," Leverette said.
The health department said to hold on, the end is in sight, but don't forget that the virus has not gone away.
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