NW Washington News

The Whatcom County Health Department is encouraging residents to keep their guard up when it comes to the spread of COVID-19 and to maintain social distancing practices despite the fact that the cooler and rainy weather may keep people from the great outdoors. 

According to a recent WhatcomTalk article, the Whatcom County Health Department offers tips for how you can keep physical distance and still remain "socially connected" even if the weather limits our outdoor gatherings. 

"It was easier to get together outdoors with friends for social gatherings during the sunny days of summer, but the colder, wetter weather can make outdoor gatherings more difficult," the Whatcom County Health Department said in a statement. 

Among the health department's recommendations are using covered areas and shelters such as tarps and pop-up tents or using covered gazebos and picnic areas at local parks for any social gatherings. 

"It’s still safer to gather outdoors than indoors, but in any activity you decide to do with friends or family outside of your household, remember to keep six feet apart, wear your mask, keep your gatherings small, with no more than five people outside of your household," the Health Department stated.