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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided their strongest guidance yet for Thanksgiving, as cases pour in across the United States and several states have issued restrictions before the holidays.
The CDC’s guidelines, which were first updated on Monday, emphasize that the safest option for the holidays is to celebrate only with members of your household. However, if you’re celebrating with others, the agency advises you to take extra precautions, like wearing masks and keeping your distance.
“Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of catching or spreading COVID-19 or the flu,” the CDC said. “The surest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with the people in your household.”
Public health officials observed that family reunions were partly fueling an increase in cases. In Canada, where his national Thanksgiving is celebrated on Oct. 12, health officials said clusters of new cases have since been linked to family reunions.
The new CDC guidelines stress that even with friends and family, people need to be careful while on vacation to avoid adding to the trend of increasing cases.
For those planning to spend Thanksgiving with people outside their household, the CDC advises that you wear a properly fitted mask, stay 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you, and wash your hands often.
If you are attending a gathering, the agency recommends that you bring your own plate, cups and utensils; store your mask safely when eating and drinking; avoid entering and leaving the kitchen while preparing food; and use single-use options for condiments and food containers.
Hosts can plan the meal outside with a small group or open the windows if they’re eating inside, talk with guests about expectations in advance, sanitize surfaces, and even ask guests to bring their own. own food and drink, the CDC said.
Around the thorny issue of travel, the CDC advises that “staying at home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
“Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19,” the agency said.
Still, airlines are forecasting peaks around the holidays. United Airlines, for example, said it was adding more than 1,400 domestic flights on peak days during Thanksgiving week.
If you’re traveling, the CDC insists on checking travel restrictions, getting the flu shot, wearing a mask, keeping your hands out and washing your hands often in public places.
The guidelines come as every state in the country reports a growing number of new cases of COVID-19, according to the COVID Tracking Project, a data organization run by volunteers.
In Washington, DC and five states – California, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont – cases are low but on the rise. In the remaining 45 states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico, cases are high and remain high.
Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, spoke of Thanksgiving trips to MSNBC on Tuesday, saying every family will need to do a “risk assessment,” especially if you have a senior or a senior. person with an underlying condition in your family.
“You really have to make a decision,” said the country’s leading infectious disease specialist. “Do I want to put this person at increased risk by bringing in people from all parts of the country, usually to a crowded airport, without necessarily knowing if they are infected, without having time to get tested or to quarantine?? “
In recent weeks, state leaders have released their own vacation advice and ordered new restrictions to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
In California, authorities have issued vacation guidelines suggesting that residents limit themselves to outdoor gatherings with people from up to three households for up to two hours.
Rhode Island urged residents to avoid travel for the holidays. It also recently reduced its social gathering limit from 15 to 10 as cases increase in the state.
Massachusetts advises short in-person visits and virtual vacation dinners with extended family and friends, “especially if they are at higher risk for COVID-19 disease.” Last week, amid the spike in cases, the state also issued new limits on gatherings at private residences, reducing them from 25 to 10 and imposing a 9:30 p.m. curfew on all gatherings until new order.
To learn more about Thanksgiving Safety, click here.
Stephanie Ebbs, Sophie Tatum, Arielle Mitropoulos, Soo Rin Kim, Brian Hartman, Ben Bell and Gio Benitez contributed to this report
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