“It’s safe to have gatherings this summer, but they won’t look like gatherings you have had in summers past,” says Dr. Natterson, who also recently created the OOMASK to help protect kids and stop the spread of disease. Forget your “everyone’s invited” mentality from summers past: exclusivity is the key. After all, getting together with friends isn’t without risk. “There is always risk associated with having gatherings of friends, family, or others from outside your household,” says Dr. Patel, citing the CDC recommendation of avoiding gatherings of any size outside your household. “[Many] epidemiologists seem to be holding off on doing any small dinners with friends and outdoor picnics until three to 12 months from now, she adds. In a June 2020 New York TImes survey of 511 epidemiologists, only 31 percent said they’d attend outdoor picnics with friends this summer. Don’t forget to make alcohol-based hand sanitizer available to all guests throughout your event and to help make your entertaining space sanitary for all guests. “Wipe down surfaces of tables and chairs with disinfectant cleaners, space out tables and chairs six feet, and if space permits, 10 feet apart,” says Dr. Patel. “Wipe down door handles to bathrooms and keep disinfectant wipes available for guests to clean up after touching surfaces.” Drinks should also be pre-portioned: think cans, bottles, or pre-filled cups. If you do want to serve guests off the grill or otherwise, don’t let anyone help out and keep a mask and gloves on until you’ve served everyone. “A common serving spoon is a potential site of shared infection,” says Dr. Natterson.
