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SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Friday released Thanksgiving public health guidelines to New Mexicans to ensure residents are able to navigate safely during the holidays amid the worsening pandemic.
“It’s not a normal year,” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “It’s not a normal holiday season. I know we all wish it didn’t, but it is. Getting together for Thanksgiving this year poses an extreme risk to the health and safety of family and friends. Let me be very clear: a Thanksgiving gathering this year could very well lead to a funeral. The virus is on the loose. Know the risks and respect them.
“I know it’s difficult,” the governor said. “I know we are all so tired. I want to hug my family more than anything in the world. We all do. But understand that it is not worth the risk. We can replace Thanksgiving dinner. We cannot replace you. “
“People carry the virus without knowing they have it,” said Social Services Secretary David Scrase, MD. “I am worried about asymptomatic transmission. I’m afraid people might feel sick but leave home and travel anyway. There are places in New Mexico where attending a mass rally has a 50/50 chance that someone at that event has COVID-19. This year’s public health crisis has never been more severe. There is no safe scenario for getting together with other people right now – even if you wear your masks, even if you keep your distance. Please don’t risk it. Please stay home this vacation.
“We have to remember: this is not forever,” said Secretary-designate of Health Tracie C. Collins, MD. If people are worried about hurting someone’s feelings by telling their friends and family that they won’t be attending a Thanksgiving meal, they shouldn’t be. Not attending is the best way to show that you care. Next year we will all honor family traditions again.
As a reminder, New Mexico’s emergency public health order, in effect until November 30, requires the following:
- New Mexicans are instructed to shelter in place except for travel essential to health, safety and well-being – such as food and water, emergency medical care, to get vaccinated flu or to get tested for COVID-19.
- Only essential businesses can open for limited in-person operations. Businesses of all types should operate remotely or at the curb to reduce person-to-person contact.
- Mass gatherings – a group of more than 5 people who do not regularly reside together – are strictly prohibited.
THANKS GUIDE AND SECURE ALTERNATIVES
- Don’t travel to attend a Thanksgiving gathering – whether in New Mexico or out of state – to mingle with another household, friends, or family.
- Safe alternative: Traveling carries the risk of unnecessary exposure. Dinner at home. Spend the weekend in your own neighborhood. Wear a mask – covering both your nose and mouth – whenever you leave the house, whether or not you are in contact with or near other people.
- Do not meet for the Thanksgiving holiday with non-household members.
- Safe alternative: Connect with friends and family via video chat service Share recipes, cooking time and time at the table remotely and safely.
- Don’t spend unnecessary time shopping and don’t take unnecessary extra trips to the store.
- Safe alternative: Order groceries online or arrange for curbside pickup. As much as possible, avoid person-to-person contact and the presence of other individuals and especially groups.
- Don’t organize or attend a large gathering.
- Safe alternative: If you are having a small gathering with members of the household, keep a distance of six feet and wear face masks. Consider setting up a table outside to minimize person-to-person interactions inside.
- Support a local business
- Consider supporting a local business by take out or delivery order for a smaller, non-traditional Thanksgiving meal. We can all go the extra mile to support New Mexico small businesses.
If you choose to attend a vacation gathering with other people, you significantly increase the risk of not only contracting the virus yourself, but passing it on to your friends and relatives.
If you insist on taking unnecessary risks and attending or hosting a traditional Thanksgiving celebration, adopt the following safeguards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Wear a mask.
- Strictly limit the number of guests present.
- Speak with guests ahead of time to set expectations for a safe celebration together.
- Clean and disinfect heavily affected surfaces and objects between each use.
- If you’re celebrating indoors, be sure to open the windows.
- Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
- If you are sharing food, have someone serve the food and use single-use options, such as plastic utensils. Encourage guests to bring their own food and drink.
- Have guests monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days after the event.
- Self-isolate after gathering with others – symptoms may develop over 2 weeks; even if you don’t feel sick or feel sick immediately, you can spread the virus.
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