How to enjoy the Super Bowl without it being a super-spreader event

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The safest way to celebrate events is at home with the people who live with you, including the Super Bowl. Health experts across the country are asking people to skip the parties celebrating America's biggest sports day that could turn Super Bowl Sunday into Super-Spreader Sunday.

Travel and gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. The pandemic is not over, though case numbers have been increasing at a slower rate than right after the holidays.

This advice is not only coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but also the El Dorado County Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams.

"We are still experiencing relatively high rates of COVID-19 in the county and are in the Purple Tier, so it is still true that neither businesses nor individuals in California should be hosting gatherings that bring people together from multiple households," said Dr. Williams. "People rarely think they are bringing COVID with them, but it is very common for the virus to be transmitted between family and close friends."

Travel increases your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19 due to potential exposures on public transit, at airports, or in hotels. CDC continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home, as this is the best way to protect yourself and others this year.

If you plan to host or attend a small gathering, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19, as well as ideas of new celebrations.

"I love the idea of a virtual Super Bowl watch party," said Dr. Williams. "Rather than going somewhere or having friends over, which usually occurs locally, virtual gatherings allow people to share the Super Bowl with friends and family who live far away. With the right computer cable you can even broadcast your laptop or PC monitor screen onto a second large TV or if you have a projector, a movie screen, making it even easier to see and share the action with them. The best thing about this option is that you get to stay safely at home with only your own household members, free from risk of potential exposure to COVID by others who might otherwise visit in person."

The CDC also suggests hosting a virtual Super Bowl watch party.
- Wear clothing or decorate your home with your favorite team’s logo or colors.
- Make appetizers or snacks with the people you live with to enjoy while watching the game and share the recipes with your friends and family.
- Start a text group with other fans to chat about the game while watching.

For those who feel they must experience the Super Bowl in-person with friends (even though gathering is still not condoned by state guidance), Dr. Williams offers these suggestions:

- Outdoors will be the least risky option. The weather forecast is for sunshine, so dress appropriately to stay warm and protect your skin from UV rays with appropriate clothing, shade, or sunscreen).
- Staying at least six feet from those not from your own household should make outdoor Super Bowl viewing pretty safe. Yelling and cheering may be unavoidable, but try to direct your yelling and cheering at the players, not at your friends.

"This is not a perfect option, though, because there is some risk that people could migrate indoors or will not be consistent about distancing," said Dr. Williams. "Wearing masks while outside - which won't prevent others from hearing your cheers - is an added safeguard that will protect you from accidental lapses in the other precautions."

This year’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers comes when new variants of the coronavirus are making their way into communities across the U.S. The casinos will not be having large viewing parties at the lake this year in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. South Shore restaurants are offering a wide variety of food to go to have at home while rooting on the Buccs or Chiefs.