While the $2 trillion CARES Act was signed into law back in March, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted our ability to celebrate treasured moments with our loved ones. Weddings have been postponed, graduation ceremonies have been canceled, and birthdays have often been a virtual affair. But with Thanksgiving around the corner and many people complaining of pandemic fatigue, medical experts worry that large gatherings will still occur — and that the consequences could be disastrous.
Whether you’re one of the 60% of remote workers who say they’d prefer to work full-time from home or you’re among the 55 million Americans across 12 industries who are considered to be “essential” during our current health crisis, you probably want to spend the upcoming holiday with your loved ones. But is there even a safe way to do so?
Given the colder weather, dining outside isn’t an option for many Americans in late November, which makes any type of large family gathering riskier. Thanksgiving tends to bring multiple households together, which can obviously come with a higher chance of COVID-19 transmission — particularly if there are grandparents ina attendance. But it’s not surprising that many people want to avoid having a virtual gathering, as it’s simply not the same. Many families are wondering if there’s a way to safely split the difference.
It’s important to remember that social distancing and mask-wearing probably won’t be possible, particularly at the dinner table. If you’re intent on having an in-person Thanksgiving, you should aim to keep the guest list as small as possible and to establish some ground rules. You need to know exactly how anyone outside of your own household has been handling the pandemic, as it’s not a good idea to assume others are being as cautious as you are. Some families say they’re going to pursue COVID-19 testing or take temperatures at the door, while others will rely on the honors system and ask family members who feel ill to stay home.
Still, none of those behaviors will eliminate risk. If individual quarantines happen prior to Thanksgiving Day, that might cut down on the chances of transmission — but that’s incredibly difficult to enforce. It’s probably not a good idea to travel (or have anyone else travel) outside one’s home state, particularly if there’s a COVID hot spot involved. And ultimately, the safest option is to celebrate only with those who are in your immediate household. Another idea is to send food to other households and share a meal from afar.
But no matter what you decide to do, this holiday might not feel as festive as the feasts of years past. However, we all have plenty to feel grateful for — even if we have to express our gratitude from separate homes.
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