WISCONSIN— Since the onset of the pandemic, health officials across Wisconsin have focused on three things to minimize the spread of coronavirus: Washing hands, maintaining physical distance and, eventually, wearing masks. Initial protocols centered on limiting large public gatherings like sporting events and festivals, but as fall turns to winter, health departments are adjusting their messages. As COVID-19 numbers continue to skyrocket, experts are now advising against even small indoor gatherings.

“Those can add up to be just as dangerous, just as problematic, with even more collective transmission than those single large events,” said Dr. Ben Weston, director of medical services at the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management. “Unfortunately this is a time when we must be avoiding large as well as small, indoor, non-distanced gatherings among family or friends.”

Weston said although a vaccine may be on the horizon, health officials will continue to push distancing guidelines through Thanksgiving and winter holidays.

“The mentality of how vigilant we are, how careful we are with events is going to have to stay in place for several months to come,” he said.

In Wausau, the Marathon County Health Department said it has been consistent all year about hand washing, distancing and masks. As the pandemic continues to devastate all parts of the state, these simple guidelines are crucial now more than ever.

“Have we lost the battle of controlling this virus? It will depend on the choices we make in the coming days into weeks,” Marathon County Health Officer Joan Theurer said in a weekly briefing posted to Facebook. “We don’t need to continue to make history as a state or county.”