CDC makes recommendations for Thanksgiving 2020 gatherings: Keep them small and local

Pennlive ^ | 28 September A.D. 2020 | Linda Hasco

[lightman]

Thanksgiving 2020, for many, may be celebrated in new ways this year, as Americans make adjustments to accommodate the risks involved with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued recommendations to guide Americans as they plan for one of the most anticipated holidays of the year.

The agency stresses that these considerations are suggested “to help protect individuals, their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19,” and are meant to “supplement - not replace - any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply.”

The CDC said that at a holiday celebration, there are several factors that contribute to the risk of getting infected or infecting others with the virus that causes COVID-19. The following factors, in combination, the agency says, “will create various amounts of risk, so it is important to consider them individually and together”:

Community levels of COVID-19 - both in the gathering location, as well as where attendees have traveled from Location of the gathering - indoor gatherings typically pose more risk than outdoor gatherings Duration of the gathering - those that last longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings Size of attendance - those with more people pose more risk Locations attendees are traveling from - attendees who are traveling from different places pose a higher risk than gatherings with attendees who live in the same area Behaviors of attendees prior to the gathering - attendees who choose not to adhere to social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and other prevention measures pose more risk than those gatherings with attendees who are practicing these preventative behaviors Behaviors of attendees during the gathering - gatherings with more preventive measures in place pose less risk than gatherings where fewer or no preventive measures are being implemented

Since travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the coronavirus, the CDC says that staying home is the best way to protect both yourself and others. However, if you must travel, be informed of the risks involved.

The CDC has ranked a number of popular Thanksgiving holiday activities according to their level of risk. Here is a list of activities considered higher risk that the CDC says should be avoided:

Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race Attending crowded parades Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household

The CDC has provided this list of activities considered moderate risk:

Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs. Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing Attending a small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place

According to the CDC, the following list of holiday activities is considered lower risk:

Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household

Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others

Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family

Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday

Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home

The CDC has provided additional holiday guidelines on its website.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The Plannedemic puritans are petrified at the thought that someone, somewhere, might actually be having FUN.

Or that some group of virus deniers, somewhere, might be plotting their forcible removal from positions of power.

[cyclotic]

So our kids are all out of the house and most live in different states. Thanksgiving is usually pretty low key. Last year it was just the two of us.

This year, one son who lives an hour away, one daughter who’s four hours away are coming. Her best friend and husband are traveling 6 hours to join us for the entire weekend.

Drop dead CDC

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

CDC interfering in zGod’s given right to free assembly....except if BLM.

[9YearLurker]

Nightly “peaceful” BLM riots are just fine.

But celebrate Independence Day or Thanksgiving Day? Not a chance!

And do even get thinking about Christmas...

[Trillian]

I second that.