Thanksgiving is the most heavily travelled holiday in the U.S., and this holiday is a specific challenge during this time of the pandemic.
As the coronavirus cases continue to increase, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC said that travelling is discouraged for Thanksgiving.
A lot of people gather and travel together, increasing the risk of having or spreading the virus. Also, colder weather across much of the country means open-air meetings are not practical, and wearing masks while eating and drinking is impossible.
Travelling is discouraged
In the United States, there have been 1 million COVID-19 cases reported over the last seven days.
Dr. Henry Walke, the CDC's COVID-10 incident manager, said that although travelling is discouraged for Thanksgiving, it is not required. But, it is for the people to consider, significantly when cases are not decreasing. The CDC also said that with family and friends that you do not live with, you could increase the chances of getting or spreading the virus or the flu.
ALSO READ: How to Explain Thanksgiving to Kids
For those who intend to travel still
On the other hand, for those people who still choose to travel for Thanksgiving, the CDC advised doing so as safely as possible by following the safety measures and protocols from the agency. Safety measures and protocols not just for travelling for Thanksgiving but every time people will go out like wearing a mask in public places and on public transportation, social distancing, and washing hands often.
The public health agency updated its Thanksgiving guidelines that have been shared on their website on Thursday as well. The guidelines say that the safest way to celebrate the holiday is by staying at home with the people you live with, pointing out that travelling is discouraged for safety reasons.
ALSO READ: How to Handle Political Disagreements in the Family
If people insist on still travelling for Thanksgiving, the CDC mentioned asking yourselves a series of questions for you to decide whether it is the right move or decision.
The questions include:
- Are you someone in your household or someone you will be visiting at increased risk of getting very sick from the virus?
- Are the cases increasing in the place you are headed or where you are in right now?
- Are hospitals where you are going full with patients?
- During the two weeks before your trip, have you or those you are visiting had close contact with people they do not live with?
- Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travellers?
- Are you travelling with people you do not live with?
- Are you travelling by bus, train or air which make it hard to stay six feet apart from other people?
If your answer is "yes" to most or all of the questions above, you should think about staying at home for Thanksgiving. It would help if you listened to how the CDC said that travelling is discouraged for your and your family's safety as well.
If you choose to stay at home for Thanksgiving, and yet you plan to visit your neighbour, the CDC said that, that is also a risk so make sure that you practice safety measures for everyone's good and safety.
ALSO READ: Survey Reveals That Couples Are Closer Due to the Pandemic
