We all are wondering how to safely celebrate Thanksgiving this year. We took our questions to Eugene Curley, M.D., a WellSpan infectious disease physician and chairman of the Clinical Practice Standards Task Force, which works to ensure WellSpan is following the safest, highest quality of care during the pandemic. Here’s what he had to say.
Why are there so many rules for Thanksgiving this year?
COVID is surging across the country and here in southcentral Pennsylvania. WellSpan team members are geared up and prepared to take care of sick people, but we want our patients to stay well during the holidays.
Gatherings of people, eating, drinking, laughing and talking close together indoors could become “super spreader” events that make the spread of the virus even worse. That’s why the CDC is recommending that you limit your celebration this year to people in your household, or your “bubble.”
My family usually hosts about 20 guests from the Philadelphia area for Thanksgiving. This year, we told our family and friends to stay safe at home, while inviting them to celebrate the holiday virtually with us. It’s just not safe to travel and be around others outside of your household, especially while we continue to set daily records for new cases. I encourage everyone to practice Thanksgiving safety this year in order to protect yourself and loved ones.
So, is there any way to still have a halfway normal Thanksgiving this year?
Here’s some advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, if you do decide to gather with people outside your bubble:
- Keep the group as small as possible.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people at the gathering.
- Wear a mask when you are not eating or drinking.
- Wash your hands, for at least 20 seconds, when arriving and leaving and before and after serving food. Use paper towels rather than sharing towels.
- Bring your own food and utensils.
- Avoid food preparation areas, such as the kitchen. Designate one person, wearing a mask, to serve the food.
- Consider opening windows, particularly windows that offer cross-ventilation, during the gathering.
- Seat people in their family groups, at smaller tables spaced out across several rooms.
What about Grandma and Grandpa? And my uncle with the heart condition? Can we still find a way to see them this year?
Older people need to be particularly careful about celebrating Thanksgiving with people outside their “bubble.” The older someone is, the greater their risk of being hospitalized for COVID. The risk of death from COVID also increases with age. Others who are at increased risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 include those with Type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart conditions and obesity.
It’s just not a good idea to gather with those folks this year because of the considerable risk that you could cause them harm.
Do you have any ideas about something fun we can do to celebrate?
Here are some recommendations from the CDC:
- Do a virtual meal, where you schedule a time to “eat together” via Zoom, with extended family.
- Ask people to show off their favorite dish or even share a new recipe.
- Make time for everyone to share what they are grateful for during this very unusual year.
- Watch a movie with your bubble. Play a game or do a puzzle together.
- Make this a holiday about others. Remember your neighbors or friends who may be alone due to COVID-19 or other circumstances. Safely prepare and drop off food in a contact-less way.