Don’t be a grinch — get the updated COVID-19 booster

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady looks at her arm before receiving her COVID-19 bivalent booster during a press conference at a CVS pharmacy in the West Lawn neighborhood, where health officials announced that Paxlovid is available at pharmacies and encouraged people to get a COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine and a flu vaccine ahead of the holidays, Tuesday. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

With Thanksgiving now behind us and the winter holidays approaching, Americans are hoping to keep the joyous momentum going with ugly Christmas sweater get-togethers, office parties and large family gatherings.

But as we learned last year — rushing to COVID-19 testing centers before trekking to see relatives — a positive result can put a damper on a merry mood and bring celebrations to a screeching halt.