Please Don't Travel Over Thanksgiving Break
- fionacsweet
- Nov 19, 2020
- 2 min read
The CDC's Thursday briefing (their first since August) has one clear message: Do not travel for Thanksgiving.
The US's coronavirus outbreak has grown much worse since their last briefing, with the country reporting more than 170,100 new cases yesterday. The CDC now predicts that "newly reported COVID-19 deaths will likely increase over the next four weeks, with 7300 to 16000 new deaths likely to be reported in the week ending December 12, 2020."
According to Dr. Henry Walke, CDC's COVID-19 incident manager, there is "no more important time than now for each and every American to redouble our efforts to watch our distance, wash our hands and, most importantly, wear a mask. CDC is recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving period. For Americans who decide to travel, CDC recommends doing so as safely as possible by following the same recommendations for everyday living."
He has also said he is concerned about the lack of social distancing possible at crowded modes of transportation (ie waiting in lines to board busses or planes).
This holiday season is extremely important for mitigating the spread, as we have found that 30 to 40% of spread is driven by people who are asymptomatic (without symptoms). While you may not think you have the virus because you feel fine, you might actually be transferring it to that small gathering you have for Thanksgiving.
For those that still really need to travel, the CDC recommends the following:
1) Check the COVID-19 infection rates in areas where attendees of the small gathering live.
2) Limit the number of people coming.
3) Host the gathering outdoors (if possible).
4) Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation.
5) Make sure people are sitting 6 feet away, even outdoors.
6) Wear a mask at all times, except when eating and drinking.
7) Avoid singing or shouting.
8) Avoid potlucks.
9) Have one person wearing a mask serve everyone so that multiple people are not touching the utensils.
10) Use single-use options or identify one person to serve shareable items.
I know this may seem like a lot, but it is so important to follow. As of Wednesday, more than 79,400 people in the US were hospitalized with coronavirus, more than we have ever had. This means that hospitals are getting seriously overwhelmed and our death trends are going upwards.
I know that Thanksgiving is a family holiday, but I would like to be able to participate in it next year, so I am doing my part now in the hopes that things will be somewhat back to normal for next time. I know that college students want to see their families, but it just isn't that safe right now. I have a friend who is staying in his dorm room for Thanksgiving instead of coming back home and I haven't heard him complain about it once because he knows how important all of this is.
Please, please stay safe.
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