A Thanksgiving Like No Other

As the holiday season approaches, it’s common to make plans to spend time with family and friends. Such plans are especially popular at Thanksgiving as many of us travel to the homes of people we may not see very often, using these gatherings (and the long weekend) to celebrate, feast, start holiday shopping, and relax. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose challenges as we try to stay healthy and safe over Thanksgiving, during the holidays, and into the new year.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidelines designed to help you determine the safest way to celebrate the holidays during the pandemic. According to the CDC, the first step is assessing the current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel, or limit the number of attendees at your Thanksgiving dinner or holiday party. https://bit.ly/2Jct9It

It's obvious that a virtual celebration or celebrating with members of your own household pose no or little risk of transmission, while in-person gatherings present varying levels of risk. These risk factors include the duration and location of the event (indoor versus outdoor, an unlikely option during cold weather), as well as the number of people who will attend and whether they are coming from an area with a high rate of COVID-19 cases.

If you're traveling for the holidays, it's also important to review the quarantine requirements in the state you're visiting and any quarantine restrictions in place in your home state. Quarantine requirements not only vary by state and are subject to change as the pandemic unfolds, they may also impact your immediate ability to return to work or school once you are back at home.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health underscores these recommendations in newly released guidelines regarding holiday celebrations during the pandemic. These guidelines, which include information about the state's travel order and COVID-19 testing, can be found here: https://bit.ly/2GfgeVi

In the end, the decision to host or attend a Thanksgiving gathering should be based on your individual circumstances. But whatever you decide, it's important to maintain social distancing whenever possible, wear a mask, and practice good hand hygiene. "There's really no substitute for these practices," said Maggie Eboso, RN, MSN, MBA, CIC, Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator for Mercy Medical Center. "I would also advise people to limit the amount of time they spend with others who are not members of their immediate household because it isn't possible to know if they've been in contact with someone who has the virus."

Eboso also stresses the importance of getting a flu vaccine and, if appropriate, a pneumonia vaccine. "Staying up to date on your vaccinations, along with getting plenty of rest, eating healthy food, and staying hydrated are the best ways to boost your immunity," she said. "While following these practices won't guarantee that you'll maintain perfect health, they will set you up for a better outcome if you do become ill."