With summer in full swing in Minnesota, the long and dark months of winter can feel a very long ways away.

And, honestly, when having a summer barbecue or enjoying a beer or mocktail on the lake, COVID-19 can also feel very far away. But, as we transition away from the restricted lives of the early pandemic into a more normal equilibrium moving forward, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to safely gather and enjoy one another’s company:

• First, if you haven’t already, get a booster shot! The Minnesota Department of Health has a handy booster resource page to help answer your questions about when to get a booster shot and where to find one.

• Keep an eye on the local case rates for the corona virus. The Met Council has a an easy-to-understand page that tracks wastewater viral loads for the Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota tracks viral loads across Minnesota by region. Currently, viral loads are low across the state, but if you see a spike in your region, you may want to re-assess what kind of activities you feel comfortable doing.

• If you are sick, stay home! Even if it’s not COVID, there’s no need to share your germs with others.

• Wash your hands! It’s simple advice, but very effective in limiting the spread of a variety of viruses and infectious diseases.

We here at PFund wish everyone a very safe and relaxing summer!