CDC Issues Warning Against Gathering for St. Patrick's Day Due to COVID-19, Encourages People to Celebrate Virtually

Sieeka Khan, Tech Times 17 March 2021, 09:03 am

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the public should avoid parties and gatherings on St. Patrick's Day, and people should hold virtual celebrations instead due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC warns against St. Patrick's Day events

On CDC's website, it says attending gatherings to celebrate St. Patrick's Day increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

The CDC advised that the safest way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year is to gather through virtual events with people who live with you. People can go outside as long as proper social distancing guidelines are followed, like being 6 feet apart from others.

Mar. 16 marks the second year that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the United States, according to KXAN.

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In 2020, as the pandemic forced New York City to shut down due to the increasing number of cases, the yearly celebrated St. Patrick's Day parade was postponed as bars and restaurants were closed for indoor dining the night before.

This year, eateries in New York are open at 35% capacity, and the St. Patrick's Day parade will be streamed online, according to ABC News.

Virtual events as alternatives

Despite the travel restrictions and social distancing rules, people can still celebrate the popular Irish holiday.

According to Irish Times, here are some alternatives that people can do online for a safe St. Patrick's Day celebration.

People can go for the Lucky Irish Virtual Bingo game. Everyone loves a classic game of bingo, but you can put an Irish twist to it. In this interactive online bingo game, the participants must look for visual clues in music videos then identify the Irish tunes.

As an added incentive to encourage competitive team spirit, you can organize special prizes or custom hampers delivered to the door of the winner.

Combine the virtual musical bingo game with other virtual entertainment and activities for the ultimate virtual St. Patrick's day celebration.

And of course, what is St. Patrick's Day without drinking? You and your guests can still enjoy the famous Irish drinks such as Guinness, Irish creme, and whiskey virtually. An interactive virtual cocktail workshop can be held where a mixologist can virtually make Irish whiskey-based cocktails like an Old Fashioned or an Irish Mule to you and your friends.

After talking and drinking, you can get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit and do an Irish virtual quiz just like what they do in a pub. You can have teams compete against each other online.

The quiz must have an Irish twist, and you can keep your participants engaged with fun visual and audio clues in pictures, videos, and music rounds. You can quiz your guests about Irish myths, make them identify iconic film sets in Ireland and dance along to a medley of songs by Irish legends like Sinead O'Connor and U2.

Since restaurants and pubs are a no-go this year, you can eat hearty Irish dishes at home. You can make quick-and-easy meals with the help of a tutorial and step-by-step cooking videos online. You can choose between sweet and savory recipes to match your drinks.

The coronavirus pandemic may have forced traditions to be different this year, but that does not mean you can't party, as long as you do it safely.