The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 13

November 3, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 4 Features COVID-19 and prepping for the holidays The holiday season is right around the corner, bringing hope to those thoroughly disappointed by the myriad of canceled events, prolonged periods of time in isolation and lack of social interaction 2020 has brought. For many, the holiday season is a time to get together with loved ones, reconnect with friends and take a break from the usual fast-paced routine of daily life. However, it is important to keep in mind that things this year might be a little different. Here are some tips to make your holiday break as COVID-19 safe and carefree as possible. Go virtual Everyone wants a “normal holiday.” There is no denying that. As Zoom sessions and FaceTime calls have replaced, or at least supplanted, face to face interactions, considering integrating virtual options into your holiday plans is at least worth thinking about. Especially if you have older family members or immunocompromised individuals in your life who you generally spend time with during the holidays, opting for some virtual interactions might be the way to go to make sure everyone stays safe. Going virtual can also give people who may not be comfortable with in-person interactions a way to still feel included. Luckily, technology makes it easy for us to connect to people around the world at the touch of a button. If you do choose to interact with people in person, remember to wear a mask and follow all other CDC recommended protocols. Think ahead Whether you are hosting guests or going to see friends or relatives, planning ahead to make sure you are being safe this holiday season is essential. The CDC recommends restricting your contact to people within your household for 14 days before attending any Care for your car Our car goes everywhere with us, almost as if it is our right-hand man. It takes us to those 8 a.m. classes, back to our house and everywhere in between. With that, it is often common to forget about the upkeep of having a car when you are busy or far away from home. Many college students can recall a time when their oil change or tire pressure was taken care of by someone else. Leaving for college or becoming more independent leaves these major tasks to you. Whether it is your first time going to a body shop to get an oil change or not, it is essential to stay up to date with your car’s needed “appointments.” Although it may be easy to leave an oil change for later or put off checking the tire pressure of your car after your 8 a.m. class, it may not end up happening. If you’re planning on driving home for the holidays, putting off these significant tasks not only damages your car, but in the end, can affect your holiday season. Here are many ways to keep your “right-hand man” in good condition. Get that oil change you have been putting off for months How long can you go without getting an oil change? There are about two million results on Google with answers as to how long a car can last without getting an oil change. Many mechanics advise you to bring your car in when an oil change is alerted on your dashboard. Getting this done on time can prevent more money wasted on other parts of your car that may be impacted by procrastinating an oil change. According to Car Talk, “Changing your vehicle’s oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid bringing large bags of money to your mechanic later on.” Make sure to check the windshield wiper blades frequently It is common for it to rain in South Florida, and sometimes, it almost feels as if it never stops. Checking the windshield wipers on your car will prevent you from risking an accident if it’s raining and your wipers are not cleaning off the rain as you drive. Check your tires It is common for tires to lose their grip. Once this occurs, it’s easy for your car to skid across roads when it’s raining outside. Although tires might be a little more on the expensive side, spending money on new or used tires before it is too late is what counts. There are many ways to stay up to date with car maintenance as a college student. Whether you’re far away from home or becoming more independent, your car is something that’s with you all the time — that’s why it’s important to stay up to date with its needs. Below is a maintenance checklist that’s very helpful for those who are not familiar with car needs. https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread- and-trend/drivers-ed/ultimate-car-maintenance- checklist in-person holiday events. While quarantining may not be an ideal holiday activity, it’s important to make sure everyone stays safe. Even if you aren’t planning on attending large group gatherings, being upfront about how much social distancing you adhere to can help everybody make informed decisions about their own health. Communicate Although everyone is going through the COVID-19 pandemic together, it’s important to remember and acknowledge that we all have had different experiences. Ensuring that you consider everyone’s comfort levels when planning get-togethers and other social interactions can avoid people feeling pressured to do something they aren’t comfortable doing. The best way to avoid this is to check in periodically as you make plans. Normalizing discussions about how much social interactions individuals are comfortable with can help take some of the stress out of the planning. Even if you are comfortable being in social settings, that doesn’t mean everyone else is. For example, while you might see going out to eat as a harmless activity, some people might only be comfortable with restaurant dining if that restaurant offers outdoor seating. Similarly, someone else might not be comfortable with that at all. Reassuring friends and family that their different levels of comfort are okay is an important step to making the holidays enjoyable for all. Holidays this year will inevitably look different, but that doesn’t mean they have to have less cheer. By following CDC regulations and making sure to keep an open mind and an open heart, we can all enjoy a safe, festive holiday break. By: Aliyah Gomez Contributing Writer By: Emma Heineman Features Editor PRINTED WITH PERMISSION BYF. SHABAN Looking under the hood of a Honda By: Sofia Gallus Arts & Entertainment Editor