When the COVID-19 pandemic started, it was difficult to imagine the virus might stick around long enough to impact the fall and winter holidays. Now, trick-or-treating is on the chopping block, there are only about six weeks until Thanksgiving and the virus has shown no signs of slowing down in the U.S. Many families are wondering if it will be OK to get together for Thanksgiving dinner, but Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warns it‘s still too dangerous.
During a webinar hosted by American University’s Kennedy Political Union, Fauci says his three adult daughters won’t be traveling to his home for Thanksgiving. “We would love for them to come home for Thanksgiving,” he explains. “They have said themselves, ‘Dad, you know you’re a young, vigorous guy, but you’re 79 years old.’”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQY1PEnbjX4
However, because of the virus, Fauci and his family know it isn’t safe for them to gather. At 79, Fauci is considered high-risk for the worst effects of the virus. Additionally, his daughters all live in different states, and travel has been discouraged. “We want you and Mommy to have a nice, quiet dinner,” Fauci says his daughters told him. “Maybe have a neighbor next door that always comes over the house that you know that’s negative [for the virus], and we’ll send our love via Zoom.”
Fauci expanded on his comments in an interview with CBS Evening News, cautioning Americans to continue to take the virus seriously and do whatever they can to prevent a spike during the holiday season.
“I think given the fluid and dynamic nature of what’s going on right now in the spread and the uptick of infections, I think people should be very careful and prudent about social gatherings, particularly when members of the family might be at a risk because of their age or their underlying condition,” he explains. “Namely, you may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering unless you’re pretty certain that the people that you’re dealing with are not infected.”
His comments come on the heels of updated guidance from the CDC on ways families can stop the spread of COVID-19 over Thanksgiving and other holidays. The CDC notes that “staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
For low-risk ways to celebrate, they suggest:
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Holding a small dinner with only the other people in your household.
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Hosting a virtual dinner with long distance family and friends.
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Making traditional recipes and sharing them with loved ones via contactless delivery.
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Skipping Black Friday events in favor of shopping online.
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Watching Thanksgiving sporting events and parades from home.
Typical Thanksgiving Day events will also look different this year. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade has been canceled for only the third time in it’s 96-year history. It will be replaced by a virtual event. Thanksgiving football is also up in the air as more and more NFL players and employees test positive for the virus.
Over the past week, the U.S. has averaged 53,124 new coronavirus cases per day, according to the New York Times. That’s an increase of 23% from just two weeks earlier. The number of cases seems to be climbing fastest in the Midwest, and there are signs that the Northeast could see a resurgence of the virus in the coming weeks.
After so many months at home, most of us are ready to reunite with loved ones and share in cherished holiday traditions, but the numbers prove the virus isn’t fully under control. If we want to finally get to the end of the pandemic and get back to hugging our family and friends, safety will have to come first.
