By Melissa Hawkins -
The Conversation
Editor's Note: Following the publication of this article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel guide during the coronavirus. The new guidelines, announced Nov. 19, recommend that people not travel on vacation and only meet with those already living in their homes.
The author of this article modified her plans to accommodate the new guide. His aunt and uncle did not attend his family celebration for Thanksgiving, but instead came together virtually in an effort to keep everyone safe.
Like many people during this very unusual year, I am adapting my family's vacation plans so that we can all be safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
I am an epidemiologist, mother of four children, and I also have a large extended family.
Due to the
serious nationwide resurgence of COVID-19 infections
, holiday gatherings of family and friends have the potential to amplify the spread of the virus.
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Additionally, several recent studies have confirmed that socializing indoors carries a significantly higher risk of viral transmission than outdoor activities.
Health officials, including Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned that much of the transmission last fall - across all age groups - happened in small gatherings held indoors.
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For the past 15 years, my family's tradition is to travel from Washington, DC, along with both grandparents, to sunny Florida to celebrate Thanksgiving with cousins.
This year we decided to suspend the trip and we will have fall and winter celebrations at home.
This does not mean that we cancel the holidays but,
to preserve our safety and that of others, we try to keep plans small and flexible
and we remember that the health of the people we love is the most important thing in this season of celebrations and solidarity.
Before the meeting
It is important that everyone who attends any holiday celebration accepts the precautions that they must follow before meeting.
The idea is to reduce the risk of infection in the weeks leading up to the holidays and then run tests to confirm.
In general, everyone should plan ahead and be vigilant about public health guidelines, especially
since grandparents are at higher risk.
In my family, we have agreed to limit contact with other people as much as possible in the week before Thanksgiving.
We have also agreed that everyone should be more cautious around close people we see regularly.
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In addition to quarantine, testing is the second strategy.
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Research has consistently shown that people are most contagious a day or two before they develop symptoms, so everyone plans to have a PCR test about 72 hours before Thanksgiving so they can get results sooner. for us to meet.
If the demand for tests is high and waiting times are long, we will use quick tests.
But they will be a second option as they are less reliable and can be expensive.
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How and where to eat and socialize
No matter how careful we are, there is always some risk that someone will catch it.
With that in mind, the goal is to reduce the conditions that lead to viral spread.
The biggest risks are poorly ventilated indoor spaces, large groups, and close contact.
So we are planning the opposite: a short outdoor celebration with a small group of people and lots of space between everyone.
To reduce the risk of infection from flying and keep the gathering small, the only people who will attend the gathering at my family's home are my mother, my aunt, and my uncle, who live a short drive away.
When deciding how many people will attend meetings, insist that they be small groups
and consider the amount of space you have to maintain social distancing.
If the weather is nice, we plan to be outside for trivia games and turkey food.
Instead of eating around a large table, we will have individual tables, separate cutlery and heaters around the space where we sit.
I plan to hand out a mini care pack for each guest so that everyone has their own blanket, hand sanitizer, utensils, and a festive mask
.
My mother won't be helping in the kitchen this year, and unfortunately that goes for cleaning too.
We won't be taking a group photo, but I'll be sure to capture some of the special moments.
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If the weather conditions are not benign, plan B is to meet in the great family room with as many windows open as possible and get everyone as far apart as possible.
Being outside is safer, but if you have to celebrate indoors, improve ventilation by opening doors and windows.
It also helps to turn on exhaust fans and use a purifier.
All the people who live in my house will be in a section, while my mom will have her own individual zone, as will my aunt and uncle.
Although we will not hold hands before sharing food, we will still say that we are "thankful for family, friends and food."
Both indoors and out,
everyone will wear a mask when not eating, keep a distance of 6 feet (1.80 meters),
and use hand sanitizers that will be available throughout the home.
It is also important to consider the consumption of alcohol, because a pandemic is not the time to lower inhibitions and commit excesses.
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After the conference
After everyone has enjoyed the food and quality time spent together in this melancholic year, the work isn't done when the dishes are clean and everyone is home safe.
We will all get another COVID-19 test one week after lunch.
Also, a few days later, I plan to call everyone and discuss what worked well and what didn't.
If all goes well, I hope to repeat all these rules for subsequent celebrations.
The end of 2020 deserves to be celebrated, due to the characteristics of this difficult year.
These parties will be different from those of other years, and my children understand that they must control their expectations.
But we still plan to keep our tradition of writing down everything we are thankful for and reading our messages aloud.
We will continue to share love, some laughs, and a good meal as we all work together to protect ourselves.