This holiday travel season is forecast to be one of the busiest since AAA began keeping track in 2000, with more than 112 million people expected to venture at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, 2023. Respiratory viruses are also on the move, with flu season off to a severe start and COVID-19 and RSV circulating persistently.

UW Medicine infectious diseases specialist Dr. John Lynch encourages friendly gatherings, but also advises people to have a plan and take smart precautions, such as the following:

• Be up to date with a bivalent, omicron booster vaccination.
• Wear a mask in indoor, public spaces.
• Ventilate indoor spaces when possible.
• Use an antigen test (or two) before you meet up with others.

Read more tips on holiday gathering and travel in our blog post.

Download broadcast-ready soundbites on protecting against respiratory viruses during the holidays.