The most wonderful time of the year could shift into the most consequential time of the year if were not careful about the coronavirus .

Many of us have pandemic fatigue and desperately want to spend the season with loved ones. But gathering to celebrate the holidays poses a significant health risk and could push the number of cases to even more catastrophic levels.

COVID-19 numbers are already climbing as the country enters a terrifying new wave , with millions of cases reported nationwide and more than 280,000 deaths. Many people ignored public safety advice to see family and friends for Thanksgiving, and were already seeing and will likely continue to see an even bigger spike in infections as a result in the coming weeks.

No one is saying the holidays are canceled, but we need to find different ways to celebrate them this year. Here are some approaches to the festive season that carry a lower risk, according to experts. (Of course, risk-reduction strategies still apply, like keeping a distance of 6 feet and wearing masks.)

Go by car if you must go somewhere.

The best recommendation for this season is to not travel to see people outside your household and not hold a larger gathering that encourages others to visit you. It sucks, but any travel and any gathering risk spreading COVID-19.

If youre still thinking about going somewhere during the holiday season, where you go and how you get there matters.

Traveling by car is the safest bet because it reduces your contact with strangers. You can also choose to arrive early and isolate for a while before seeing your family.

If youre heading to a different state, be sure to check that states guidelines for any travel restrictions, such as a 14-day quarantine or 72-hour testing requirement for out-of-state visitors. You could unintentionally spread the virus if you dont take necessary precautions or, if you travel to a hot spot, you could expose yourself to virus-dense populations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a COVID-19 tracker that tells you the rolling seven-day average for case counts in every state. Its a good idea to get a sense of the virus levels where youre going and how they compare to where youre coming from.

If you opt to travel via bus, train or plane, know that youre increasing your chances of COVID-19 transmission or infection by sitting in an enclosed space with strangers. Wearing masks and distancing from other passengers can help reduce some of that risk, according to Scott A. Weisenberg , director of the infectious disease fellowship program at NYU Langone, but its not a guarantee of safety.