Writing in Well, the NY Times newsletter, Tara Parker-Pope says, “It’s time to double down on your pandemic safety precautions. Our country is entering a dark phase of the coronavirus crisis. Yesterday, more than 65,000 people were hospitalized with Covid-19 — that’s more than at any point during the pandemic. In recent days, more than one-third of the nation’s governors have issued public appeals for people to take coronavirus prevention measures seriously. Making sacrifices this Thanksgiving is one way to make sure you get many more holidays with the people you love. I’ve got advice on how to make your scaled-back Thanksgiving even safer.”
The CDC has published guidelines for ways to have a safer Thanksgiving celebration. I know, I know, it isn’t the same without Aunt Minnie’s sweet potato pie and Uncle Bang’s cornbread, sausage, and oyster dressing but…
According to the CDC, “The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with people in your household. If you do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, take steps to make your celebration safer.” Remember, each person outside of your household that you have contact with brings the germs of those they have contact with. Since you don’t know who they are, or who they are near, that exposes you to all kinds of new germs. This sounds an awful lot like advice for vetting sexual partners, doesn’t it? First, the everyday, every place rules:
- Wear a mask that completely covers your nose and mouth.
- Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. That’s a hard one since holidays are an opportunity to hug and kiss those you haven’t seen lately. Resist the temptation as much as possible.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, with warm water if you can, for 20 seconds each time. If not, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
Now, for attending the “family gathering” rules:
- Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils. Whip out that picnic basket.
- Wear a mask, and safely store your mask while eating and drinking.
- Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.
- Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils. A roll of paper towels might be useful as well.
- Everyone over the age of 6 months should have a flu shot.
And for hosts:
- Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.
- Limit the number of guests, preferably no more than 10.
- Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
- If celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.
- Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
- Have guests bring their own food and drink.
- If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils.
When I think back to those big family meals we had when my parents were alive, and we gathered at my great aunts’ home, this seems ridiculous and contrived. Not share everyone’s special dish? Stay out of the kitchen? Ignore the special holiday plates, silverware, and glasses? Eat outdoors? What would Aunt Mamie say? She would say, “get out of the kitchen” and “use paper plates and plastic forks.” She was one of the most pragmatic people I know.