Important information about Thanksgiving and COVID-19

[VIDEO DESC: Michelle, a white female, is wearing a v-neck olive green shirt and a pair of dark eyeglasses. Behind her is a sage green background with a gold framed picture between a pair of mirrors.]

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As many people across the United States are getting ready for upcoming holiday celebrations, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers the following tips to help protect yourself and your families, friends from COVID-19.

Thanksgiving is a time when many families travel long distances to celebrate together. In-person gatherings do have some risk involved. Traveling also increases the chance of getting and spreading the COVID-19 virus. Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses low risk for spread. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.

TIPS FROM CDC FOR ACTIVITIES DURING THANKSGIVING AND THE RISK INVOLVED:

Low risk activities – Green Light
• Host a small dinner with only the same people who live in your household such as family or roommates
• Contactless delivery of traditional family recipes for your family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• Host a virtual dinner and share recipes with friends and family over a video conference platform such as video phone or Zoom meetings
• For Black Friday or Cyber Monday, do your shopping online instead of in person
• Watch sports events, parades, and movies at home

Medium risk activities – Yellow Light
• If you are planning on hosting a gathering or cook-out, lower your risk by visiting CDC’s website and follow their recommendations
• Host a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community
• Visit pumpkin patches or orchards where hand sanitizer, face masks and social distancing is enforced.
• Attend a small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place

High risk activities – Red Light
• Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving
• Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race
• Attending crowded parades
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
• Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household

***CDC recommends that you avoid these high risk activities to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.***

PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NOT ATTEND IN-PERSON THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS

People with or exposed to COVID-19
Do not host or participate in any in-person gatherings if you or anyone in your household

• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others
• Has symptoms of COVID-19
• Took the testing for COVID-19 and waiting on the test results
• May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19

People at increased risk for severe illness
• If you are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, you should
• Avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household.
• Avoid larger gatherings and consider attending activities that pose lower risk (as described throughout this page) if you decide to attend an in-person gathering with people who do not live in your household.

If you have more questions or need clarification, please contact our front desk at info@dcara.org or 510-343-6670.

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SOURCE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#thanksgiving