The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spoiling everyone’s fun. But must it? It is definitely creating challenges for everyone who just wants this pandemic to be over. Etiquetteer came up with one solution — perhaps it will work for you.
For over 25 years Etiquetteer has hosted a New Year’s Day reception for perhaps 20 people, a time to exchange good wishes, old stories, and divine the future. But the cozy image of 14 gentlemen and ladies sipping tea and champagne almost shoulder to shoulder in a circle now comes with a sinister filter: the intangible threat of Omicron. Last January’s pre-vaccine gathering pivoted to Zoom, which had the advantage of welcoming Those At at Distance. One year later, with vaccinations and booster shots, more and more people are ready to socialize like the Before Times, but some caution is still necessary. What’s a welcoming way to accommodate everyone and reduce risk of virus transmission?
Etiquetteer may just have devised a plan based on the old ocean liner schedules: multiple seatings. Instead of one three-hour reception for all, two two-hour gatherings with limited capacity (1-3 PM and 6-8 PM) bracket at one-hour Zoom gathering (4-5 PM). Afternoon tea types can choose the earlier seating, cocktail types the latter, and Those At a Distance as well as the Omicron Averse can still join in the middle. No, it won’t have quite the same feel as a larger hullballoo, but it will still feel like a party. Master of a servantless household, Etiquetteer will need those one-hour breaks to clear away, clean up, and reset refreshments.
In general, Omicron entertaining needs to include a smaller guest list, more ostentatious ventilation (and/or air filtration), and depending on the weather, outdoor seating for those with an al fresco urge. Hosts are absolutely within their rights to ask their guests to bring proof of vaccination/booster status — they have an obligation to reduce risks as much as possible for all their guests — and if a guest knows that he or she is not vaccinated to the level required by the hosts (either by choice, necessity, or circumstance), Etiquetteer considers they have an obligation not to attend in person.
One last word about masks: on most of these occasions the overwhelming majority will prefer not to wear face masks. But there may be a few who, for whatever reason, prefer to remain masked. And that’s all right. Until the end of the pandemic (if it ever ends), we need to normalize masking. And if you’re one of those people who prefer to keep it on, that’s all you need to say: “I’d rather keep it on for the moment, thanks.”
Etiquetteer wishes you a safe, joyful, and Perfectly Proper holiday season.