DC Mayor to Washingtonians: "Happy Holidays. Close out 2021 strong; get vaccinated."

 

December 23, 2021

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,

As we go into the final days of 2021, I want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Whether you already celebrated Hanukkah or whether you’ll be celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa, I hope this season brings you plenty of joy and time with loved ones.   

Let’s close out 2021 strong. Make sure all the people five and older in your circles are vaccinated. Spread the word: boosters are best. Fully vaccinated people who are boosted are the least likely to get COVID-19, the least likely to get hospitalized due to COVID-19, and the least likely to die from COVID-19. Use testing to know your status and the status of the people you're gathering with. Choose your activities wisely. Wear masks. When you go out or visit with family, understand your risk and the risk of the people around you and act accordingly. 

We've learned a lot over the past two years—vaccines prevent severe illness and death, boosters are important, masks work, testing is an important tool for stopping the spread, outdoors is safer than indoors, and staying home when you're sick is important. Use all of these lessons to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The vaccines are one of the greatest gifts we’ve received over the past year. And the more people who get vaccinated and boosted, the more proof we have that they are working to save lives and keep people out of the hospital. So, let’s keep doing what we need to do to stay healthy, to protect each other, and to protect our healthcare system. And, together, we can go into 2022 ready to double-down on the comeback DC deserves.

Have a safe and very merry Christmas, DC.

Sincerely,