This year, holiday plans may look a little different. With
Thanksgiving approaching, scientists and public health experts have outlined
recommendations that keep you, your family, and your community safe and prevent
the spread of COVID-19. While the crowd and turkey may be smaller, here are
some ways to maximize your holiday.
Photo Credit: CDC
Keeping Family and Friends Involved
The CDC recommends individuals continue to adhere to state and
federal guidelines when determining who to celebrate with in person. This means
that it is best to only celebrate with members of your household that do not
interact with anyone else. Family members who may plan on visiting such as
college students returning home are not considered household members and do
pose an additional risk of spreading COVID-19.
However, there are many activities families may partake in that
keep everyone safe and involved. Hosting a virtual/video event while cooking or
for dinner can help you stay connected. Zoom is removing the 40-minute time limit for
video meetings, allowing you to video chat with your loved ones all night long.
The CDC also suggests doing holiday traditions at home this year,
like shopping online for Black Friday, watching Thanksgiving parades on tv,
sharing recipes over voice and video chat, playing games, and safely preparing
meals to drop off to friends, family, and neighbors.
Travel
The CDC and other state and local health agencies are recommending
postponing travel this holiday season. However, if you do decide to travel, try
to mitigate your risk of becoming infected or spreading COVID-19 by driving to
your destination when possible, getting a flu shot before travelling, being
mindful of travel restrictions, wearing a mask, and washing your hands often.
It is also important to consider how widespread COVID-19 is in both your community
and in your destination, and whether you and others you are traveling with have
been following strict safety measures like limiting interactions two weeks
prior. If you or those you plan on visiting are at high risk for severe
illness, consider postponing a visit until next year to keep everyone safe.
Hosting or Attending Gathering with Members Outside Household
Photo Credit: CDC
If you do visit friends or family outside your household, being in
communication with the host regarding COVID-19 reduction strategies in place
can help reduce your risk. Beyond wearing a mask when not eating or drinking
and keeping a social distance of at least 6 feet, try to celebrate outdoors if
possible. If the gathering is held indoors, keep windows and doors open and
central air on to increase ventilation. Try not to touch any commonly used
surfaces including serving utensils, stair handrails, counters, doorknobs, and
trashcans. Save hugs and handshakes for safer times.
If you are the host, use disposable utensils and dishes, make plenty
of soap and single-use paper towels available in bathrooms, and keep music
volume down to avoid shouting or singing. When cooking, wear a mask and wash
your hands often, and serve food in a grab-and-go manner rather than a buffet-style
to reduce contamination.
Special Considerations for People with Chronic Conditions
People at increased risk for severe
illness from COVID-19 should plan to have a virtual Thanksgiving celebration.
This includes older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and many
chronic conditions including those with sickle cell disease, diabetes, cancer,
obesity and others.
Individuals at higher
risk should limit all interactions to people within their household, and should
be extra cautious that their loved ones quarantine for at least two weeks prior
to any celebrations.
You can find out more
about holiday considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic by reading the CDC’s latest
guidelines. We wish you and your
loved ones a happy holiday!
