Don't let your guard down this St. Patrick's Day Our Health: Don’t let your guard down this St. Patrick’s Day March 10, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail Walsh On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This resulted in a nationwide cancelation of traditional St. Patrick’s Day festivities – the first of many holidays that would be impacted by this pandemic. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising against attending large gatherings once again this St. Patrick’s Day. “Often, St. Patrick’s Day is a time when many generations come together and celebrate. Please remember to keep your families safe. You don’t want to get your parents or grandparents sick with COVID because they will be at the highest risk. Continue to practice the same precautions you have done to get us to the state we are in now,” said Bill Walsh, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center.