A beautiful Thanksgiving will still be possible this year, even with the effects of Covid-19 still lingering.

All you really need is your family or maybe a few very close friends, some fun activities, food, and that heartwarming and nostalgic feeling will come back once again on the fourth Tuesday of November.

With the holiday approaching fast, millions of people have to decide if they’re going to distance themselves this Thanksgiving to stay safe or if they will increase the risk of spreading the virus among friends and families by continuing with their annual traditions of dinner gatherings. We can see that the number of people testing positive continues to rise with a baseline of 40,000 to 50,000 new cases every day. This virus has taken control of our everyday lives and affected how we go out, what precautions we take, and much more.

So how will Covid-19 affect Thanksgiving this year? Dr. Fauci, the nation’s foremost authority on infectious diseases, shares in an interview,¨we have to be careful, and each group and individual needs to assess the risk and benefits of traditional gatherings this year—especially if people are coming from out of town, where they may have been on airplanes and other public transportation.¨
With the weather getting colder into the fall and winter season, the risk of illness and flu cases is likely to increase, which could spread like wildfire. Although having a small dinner party is a moderate risk activity for getting Covid-19, larger parties are considered a high-risk activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A few ways to uphold family traditions and lower the risk of testing positive is to have gatherings outside, encourage social distancing as much as possible, wear masks, and wash your hands frequently. Having the gathering outside allows for more ventilation compared to crowded and indoors spaces, however, keeping people apart will be proven to be a more difficult task.

Covid-19 is an airborne disease that can be spread through coughing, sneezing, and even something as simple as talking. Masks don’t guarantee protection against Covid-19, but it is a step in the right direction. Everyone has a decision to make on whether or not they want to risk their own and loved one’s health this upcoming Thanksgiving, but the important thing is always to take precautions to stay as safe as possible.