How To Celebrate Easter Safely This Year

SEATTLE — Easter has come, but the pandemic is still here. Luckily, unlike this time last year, health experts have a much better grasp on how the virus spreads, and how we can celebrate the holidays safely.

Just this week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated their guidance to say that Easter gatherings can be held safely indoors and without masks — but only if everyone at the gather is already fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Unfortunately for Washingtonians, most families are likely not already fully vaccinated: nearly 3.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the Evergreen state, but only about a million people — 13% of the state population — are fully inoculated.

If you or your loved ones don't have the vaccine yet, it is still possible to meet up for Easter safely, but it'll require familiar COVID-19 precautions like staying 6 feet apart, wearing masks when you're not eating, and gathering outside if possible.

If that isn't feasible, the CDC has suggested a few alternate ways to observe the holiday, including:

• Enjoying a traditional meal, but only with members of your household.
• Practicing religious holiday customs at home.
• Preparing and delivering a meal for a neighbor.
• Watching virtual religious and cultural performances.
• Attending a religious ceremony virtually.

Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across Washington, health officials are hopeful that residents will take precautious seriously — and avoid causing another surge in transmissions.

"It's just such a terrible thing that this outbreak has done to us, where we have to worry about our holidays, instead of celebrate them," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County's health officer. "I encourage people to have a happy Easter and celebrate it with joy safely, and that means not gathering with people from outside their household, who are unvaccinated, indoors. Outdoor gatherings would be great."

Duchin notes that the previous three surges in transmissions came shortly after holidays, and with a potential fourth wave looming, he asks that everyone considers playing it safe this Sunday.

"Each of our waves was preceded by a holiday season," he said. "Our summer wave by Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Then we had Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's coincident with our very large, most recent fall and winter wave. Now we've had spring break and Easter, and we're in the process of accelerating towards a fourth wave. I encourage people to celebrate with their loved ones, to enjoy the holiday, but to please do it safely and remember that this outbreak is not over."

Since many are held outside, Easter egg hunts may be a fun and safe alternative this year, but unfortunately many of the regularly-scheduled egg hunts have been cancelled this year, according to EasterEggHuntsandEasterEvents.org.

As for Easter ceremonies at churches, those are still allowed. Under current state guidelines, religious observers are encouraged to worship remotely or through a drive-in service, but churches are allowed to open at up to 25% capacity or with up to 50 individuals, whichever is fewer.