Kitchener-Waterloo

Get creative for Super Bowl viewing but don't gather: Dr. Wang

The region's medical officer of health says people can still enjoy the Super Bowl with others without gathering in the same location.

Medical officer of health says despite lower case numbers, it's not the time to gather

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, right, congratulates Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes after a November game. The two are set to meet again in Sunday's Super Bowl. While it might be temping to gather with friends to watch the game, the region's medical officer of health says people should watch the game at home. (Jason Behnken/The Associated Press)

As Kansas City takes on Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl on Sunday, the region's medical officer of health is encouraging football fans to watch the game at home.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang says the region is seeing "excellent signs" that the shutdown and stay-at-home orders have been working as case numbers go down, but "we have to be extremely cautious. We're not out of the woods yet."

"I'm a little concerned that people may think that because our rates have gone down, because now school is going back to in-person learning that we can let up on our measures," she said Friday during a media briefing.

Wang says people should avoid gathering with others not from their households to watch the game.

"The best thing you can do for your friends and the people that you like to hangout with is to stay apart in order to stay safe."

Out of the box

"Please find ways to celebrate virtually with others. You can still have fun. Think of different, out of the box ways to celebrate with people virtually," Wang said.

Regional Chair Karen Redman said she and her husband are "going to make chili and chicken wings and watch the game at home."