--- title: "Your Simple Guide to Safe Masking This Holiday Season | Sutter Health" description: "Sutter Health's Dr. William Isenberg shares simple rules for masking indoors and outdoors to help you stay safe from COVID-19 during holiday gatherings." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/your-guide-to-maximizing-covid-safety-during-the-holidays" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Perspectives](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives) / 3. Your Guide To Maximizing Covid Safety During The Holidays # Mask Up, Avoid Crowds: Your Coronavirus Safety Guide Sutter Health's Dr. William Isenberg shares simple rules for masking indoors and outdoors to help you stay safe from COVID-19 during holiday gatherings. December 19, 2020 by Ashley Boarman ![Mask Up, Avoid Crowds: Your Coronavirus Safety Guide](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/perspectives/iStock-1283393887-e1608843821148-c6d1c0b1.jpg?h=314&iar=0&w=487 "Mask Up, Avoid Crowds: Your Coronavirus Safety Guide") Dec. 24, 2020 This holiday season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s best to make merry from afar, as difficult as that may be. Although hope is on the horizon, with the current surge in cases across California and the U.S., it’s important to remain vigilant about your safety or that of others. We’ve learned since March that masking, physical distancing and handwashing are our best defenses against the spread of this virus. If you must come in contact with others who do not live in your household, here are helpful tips from Dr. William Isenberg, Sutter Health’s chief quality and safety officer, on when you should wear a mask. **Handy Guide to Masking Indoors & Outdoors** **When Alone:** - If you’re indoors alone or with the people you live with, no need to mask. - If you’re outdoors alone, such as taking a walk, keep a mask around your neck just in case. If you cross paths with anyone, you’ll want to quickly pull it up over your mouth and nose. **With a Friend:** - Take it outside! Wear your masks, and make sure you’re 6 feet apart. - If you’re close enough to stretch out your arms and have your fingertips touch, that’s too close. **In Other Situations:** - Without masks, or standing closer than 6 feet apart, we boost the risk to ourselves and each other. - Celebrate with the people you love—safely, outside, wearing masks, six feet apart. “When in doubt, mask up!” Dr. Isenberg says. ![Graphical Guide to Maximizing COVID Safety During the Holidays](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/perspectives/Capture-1024x554-8a9027ad.jpg) ## Topics [Disease prevention](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Disease+prevention%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles)[Safety](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Safety%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Related articles ### [Physician Warns of Safety Concerns for Holiday Weekend](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/physician-warns-of-safety-concerns-for-holiday-weekend) ### [Before You Light the Fuse: How to Stay Safe This Fourth of July](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/before-you-light-the-fuse-how-to-stay-safe-this-fourth-of-july) ### [Sutter Hospitals Honored by Leapfrog for Safe Patient Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/sutter-hospitals-honored-by-leapfrog-for-safe-patient-care) ### [How a Simple Cut Led to Urgent Medical Diagnosis](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/how-a-simple-cut-led-to-urgent-medical-diagnosis) [See all from Perspectives](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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