Hi, my name is Dr. Mitchell Rosner and I work here at UVA Health.
With vaccines becoming available—and millions of Americans getting vaccinated everyday—it
is still important to do everything we can to stay healthy.
With that in mind, here’s a quick reminder about pods.
A pod is a small group, around 4 to 10 people, who agree to socialize only with one another
and stick to the same health and safety measures when they are together, as well as apart.
Your pod can include the people you live with, like family members and roommates, as well
as other people who have agreed to the same health and safety precautions.
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and isolated right now—and having a pod
is a great—and safe—way to boost mental and emotional health as we continue to navigate
these challenging times.
Feeling connected to others can make a big difference and reduce stress and anxiety.
You can socialize, eat, and drink with the people in your pod.
Whenever possible, wear your mask, wash your hands and maintain physical distance to keep
everyone in your pod safe.
Finally, keep your pod small.
And make sure your pod stays the same.
While it is tempting to add more people, doing so adds additional and unnecessary risk.
We are so close to the finish line.
It can be so tempting to “relax” or “let up.”
That said, now is when it matters most to stay the course.
Keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, and maintaining physical distance from others.
And if you decide to form a pod, please do so safely.
Together, we can keep each other healthy and safe.
Thank you.