Biden and Kamala prepare food for the underprivileged 0:54
(CNN) -
This Thursday marks the second Thanksgiving Day during the coronavirus pandemic.
Many grandparents are excitedly planning to see their grandchildren.
The friends are dressing their dining tables for the turkey and their loved ones.
Some people have booked flights or scheduled road trips.
But deep down, the number of COVID-19 cases is slowly increasing in the United States and millions of Americans remain unvaccinated, leaving some people concerned about the potential COVID-19 risks that could come with their plans. of 'Thanksgiving'.
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If you have concerns, experts say there are some important questions to ask to help weigh your risk: Are the people around you vaccinated?
Have you had a test recently?
Should you open the windows when you're indoors?
The results of a new Axios / Ipsos survey, released Tuesday, found that among 682 American adults who plan to see people for 'Thanksgiving' this year, 31% said they consider there is a "large or moderate risk" in meet friends or family, compared to 64% who said the same a year ago.
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Among those planning to meet this 'Thanksgiving', 30% said that the guests will include unvaccinated people and another 17% said they do not know if the guests are vaccinated or not, which means that almost half of those surveyed, 47 %, could be around unvaccinated people during the holidays.
Unvaccinated people are six times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. during a briefing at the White House on Monday.
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"Infections among the unvaccinated continue to drive this pandemic, hospitalizations and deaths, tragically, at a time when we have vaccines that can provide incredible protection," Walensky said.
"As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we were a year ago. I remember looking forward to the life-saving vaccines we currently have at our fingertips."
He added: "We encourage people who come together to do so safely after they have been fully vaccinated, as we have been saying for months."
To celebrate safely, here are four questions to ask your friends and family before Thanksgiving gatherings:
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Question 1: Did you get vaccinated?
Knowing the vaccination status of the people around you can help you determine whether to take certain precautions during holiday gatherings, such as wearing a mask or keeping your distance.
Since his family members are fully vaccinated, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Health, said he will be spending the holidays with his family and that it is okay to remove the masks when everyone is vaccinated.
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"That's what I'm going to do with my family," Fauci told CNN's Dana Bash on State of the Union on Sunday.
But he added that when you are traveling or are unaware of the vaccination status of the people around you, then wear a mask.
"That's the safety net, it's vaccination," Fauci said.
"Get vaccinated and you can enjoy the holidays very easily, and if you are not, be careful," Fauci added.
"Get tested if you need to when you are together, but that is not a substitute for vaccination. Get vaccinated and you can continue to enjoy interactions with your family and other people."
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna coronavirus vaccines or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Almost 60% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, but about 82 million people - more than a third of those eligible - have yet to receive their first dose, a CNN analysis of data shows from the CDC.
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Question 2: Have you had a test recently?
Some families may be trying to determine whether to ask guests arriving at the Thanksgiving celebration to get tested, especially if the guest has not been vaccinated.
"I think it is a reasonable idea for that extra level of protection. It is not a firm requirement, but I think if you want to take that extra step, particularly when you are in a region where there are a lot of infections and people who are traveling, it is not unreasonable to tell him people to get tested, one of those quick tests, 24 hours before going indoors with people, "Fauci said Monday during an appearance on CBS This Morning.
"You can take an antigen test," he added.
"It is not the most sensitive of tests, but it can tell you when you have enough virus in the nasopharynx to transmit it."
CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta says that covid-19 testing at home is "one of the best tools we have" right now to stay safe during the pandemic.
"I don't think we talk enough about these tests. I don't think we think about them enough," Gupta said on the latest episode of his Chasing Life podcast.
"Keep in mind, let's say you are vaccinated, but you still want to make sure you are not a carrier of the virus, which can happen. What you can do is take a rapid antigen test that can tell you quite accurately the answer to the question. What are you really doing? Are you contagious? That's what you really want to know, "Gupta said, adding that such a test can be purchased over the counter for about $ 20.
Question 3: Should we open a window?
It's important to think about air ventilation during large gatherings, Gupta said on his podcast.
"We know that this virus is spread through the air. It is spread through the air. So the more the air can be made to move, the better," Gupta said.
"In fact, the way of thinking is to think of the virus as smoke. If there is smoke outside, you will be less likely to breathe it, right? But indoors, if you have the same smoke, it will increase the chances. that those particles are inhaled, "he added.
"Even just opening a window a little can help."
Question 4: Is there anyone at serious risk who needs to wear a mask?
Even when certain mitigation measures are in place (knowing who is vaccinated and who is not, testing guests, and improving air ventilation), it can also be helpful to know who at the Thanksgiving table is at high risk for COVID. -19 severe to help protect them.
Some guests who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, due to their age or an underlying health condition, may prefer to keep their masks on and have others wear masks.
"If everyone is generally healthy and vaccinated and even has booster doses, it's probably okay for everyone to remove their masks and enjoy a very normal Thanksgiving meal," said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen. , to CNN's John King on Tuesday.
"On the other hand, if there are unvaccinated young children or severely immunosuppressed people, you may want to have an extra level of protection: be outdoors, open all windows indoors, or get a quick test," said Wen, a physician. emergency department and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
"That helps ensure everyone stays healthy and safe from covid this Thanksgiving."
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In general, "no one wants to pass COVID on to their loved ones," Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the CDC and current president and CEO of the global nonprofit Resolve to Save Lives, wrote on Twitter Monday.
"It's crucial that we make sure everyone at the Thanksgiving table is vaccinated and consider other layers of protection, including wearing masks when you're not eating, opening windows, and testing for those who might have been exposed," Frieden tweeted .
These types of conversations can be difficult for some, but being open with loved ones about your concerns is key, Gupta said on his podcast.
"I think the key is to remember to have an open conversation with those you want to spend time with during the holidays. To have that conversation now," Gupta said.
"Let them know your concerns, what might be necessary to make you and your family feel more secure, and basically go from there."
CNN's Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report.
