Safer ways to enjoy the Super Bowl during the pandemic

The CDC has updated guidelines for small gatherings ahead of the Super Bowl. Gathering virtually or with the people you live with is the safest way to celebrate the Super Bowl this year.

“If you end up going to a Super Bowl setting with 15 people and no one has a mask indoors for 4 hours, that’s a real risk to continue spreading this virus,” said Dr. Esfandiar Nasr, Coachella Valley physician director for Kaiser Permanente.

The CDC wants people to avoid shouting, cheering loudly, or singing. Instead, they recommend people to clap, stomp their feet, or bring (or provide) hand-held noisemakers.

“My advice would be to stay in your own home setting. Keep it safe with the people that are in your immediate family that you live with,” said Nasr. Virtually is also something health officials are recommending to celebrate this year. “Perhaps have a text thread, Facetime, or Zoom setting where you talk to your best friends about the game,” added Nasr.

More on small gathering safety listed by the CDC

“As much as you can let’s not have this Super Bowl become the next beginning of the next surge here in California,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's health and human services secretary in a live press conference Tuesday.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will have more details on how to keep gatherings safe in Riverside County during the pandemic while enjoying the Super Bowl tonight at 6 p.m.