The CDC has issued new guidelines for Americans ahead of the Thanksgiving holidays. They’re recommending that you don’t eat inside with people you don’t live with, that you don’t travel, and that if college students come home they should be wearing masks around other family members. Any returning family member who hasn’t quarantined for 14 days should wear a mask. Cases are spiking all over the US and the numbers are dire.
“CDC is recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving Day period,” Dr. Henry Walke, Covid-19 incident manager for the CDC, told reporters in a conference call.
“Right now, especially as we are seeing exponential growth in cases and the opportunity to translocate disease or infection from one part of the country to another leads, to our recommendation to avoid travel at this time.”
“The reason that we made the update is that the fact that over the week we’ve seen over a million new cases in the country,” Dr. Erin Sauber-Schatz, the CDC’s lead for Community Intervention and Critical Population Task Force, said during the briefing….
“What is at stake is the increased chance of one of your loved ones becoming sick and then being hospitalized and dying around the holidays,” Walke said…
“One of our concerns is people over the holiday season will get together and they may actually be bringing infection with them to that small gathering and not even know it,” Walke said.
“We received lots of questions from the American people about college students or people that were coming home for the holidays that are family members or are a household member, so further clarifying that the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is at home with the people in your household,” Sauber-Schatz said.
“People who have not been living in your household for the 14 days before you are celebrating should not be considered members of your household and so you should take those extra precautions, even wearing masks within your own home.”
Families can also ask college students or other people who would normally be loosely considered household members to quarantine as much as possible for 14 days before arriving.
Safer gatherings can be held outside as much as possible, the CDC recommends. People can wear masks when together, and place chairs and furniture farther apart.
People who do travel should wear masks, keep their distance from others and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, the CDC said.
Read the CDC’s guidelines for small gatherings. There are so many things to consider like frequently disinfecting surfaces, limiting contact with food and utensils and making sure there’s enough ventilation. You’re not supposed to sing or shout, especially indoors, and of course you’re not supposed to hug or get near anyone you don’t live with. Everyone should wear a mask when not eating or drinking, even outdoors.
Eating outside is still dangerous too. Why do that? Just skip Thanksgiving this year and Zoom people you don’t live with. Now is not the time to f’ck around with the virus and hang out eating. Buffet style food is not safe either. I don’t understand why people can’t see that and just skip the group holidays this year. It’s riskier now more than ever and the least we can do is keep our friends and family safe.
On a more positive note, a lot of people are realizing that turkey is useless and are instead baking chicken for Thanksgiving. I asked my son if he wanted to do this, but he said he really likes turkey so I got us some breasts to cook.
photos credit: Askar Abayev, Karolina Grabowska and Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
As a Canadian pls listen to their guidelines. Our cases spiked after thanksgiving and we now have more stringent public health measures for our province because of it.
Use our crappy judgment to make better decisions for yourselves. Stay safe!!
If our Canadian neighbors had issues, then “hold our beer”. We (U.S.) seem able to ignore science and wisdom better than anyone else as of late.
Our state’s numbers are high because (per the White House task force memo) of Halloween-related activities. I am not aware of a lot of trick or treating, but we have a lot of corn mazes and “trunk or treat” gatherings. Thanksgiving could make that look like a minor wave, if we don’t get our act together.
The US is seeing spikes, from what experts say is Halloween and fall related events. My neighbor hosted a party, a teacher no less, with about 30 people and no one – NO ONE was was wearing a mask. AND IT WAS HALLOWEEN. These selfish and stupid acts make me really become anti social with people.
Our numbers crept up from Halloween and then spiked exponentially after Thanksgiving. I understand that everyone is exhausted by staying at home and quarantining. However, i really hope that teacher is reconsidering large events for thanksgiving.
Covid used to be this terrible thing that we were trying to avoid but it never affected us. Since those events I’ve known 2 people who’ve died of covid: one senior and one middle aged man. Shit’s getting real.
I had been wondering if there was a definite Halloween spike. Our sons preschool hosted a party for kids+parents and even though it was outside and the kids are already playing with each other daily my husband and I thought it sounded like a not great idea and stayed home. You have a 5-hour party in your yard with food….first, people are going to have to use the bathroom so of course they will be going in and out of the preschool building and possibly hanging out chatting and second, there’s no way that the parents are going to stay masked that whole time, they’re going to want to eat and drink!! And if you say oh, well, we’re already a pod…young kids do not spread the virus as easily as adults so having 12 kids hanging out together with 2-3 adults (standard school day) is a different risk from having the same 12 kids, 2-3 adults, and 12-24 parents from the same 12 households added into the mix.
As a Canadian who did a distanced Thanksgiving – it honestly wasn’t so bad. Fewer people meant I tried new, fancier recipes, and spent way more money on wine. My philosophy was that if I couldn’t be with a crowd of loved ones, I was going to love myself twice as much.
Just saw pictures from what I believe is O’Hare airport and people were practically butt to gut. It’s going to get so much worse in two weeks. I am so ashamed of my county because people would rather be selfish than give up their holidays. There will be other holidays in the future and I intend to be alive to greet 2021 when she finally turns up.
LOL, I was going to make roast chicken (two of them so we would have plenty of leftovers) but my husband is being really weird and insisting on turkey. I say “weird” because he doesn’t really like turkey so I’m not sure why he picked that hill to die on lol. But we got a small 9 lb one yesterday and we’ll do that with mashed potatoes and dressing and an apple pie, and watch lots of football. It will be quiet but I’d rather have a quiet year this year so that we can see everyone next year.
Yes, we originally we’re going to make turkey either but then my husband decided we should have it since it would be the only aspect of the tradition intact this year. And he and my boys like it so I got the smallest one I could find. I agree that having a quiet day with just our immediate family is fine, its just one year (knock on wood).
I can’t think of any other reason why so many people are insisting that they have their usual large Thanksgiving except selfishness. They are not willing to be inconvenienced or make minor sacrifices AT ALL and we are all paying the price. Sigh.
I am looking forward to it being just my family this year. I, too, will take quiet this year.
I figure it gives me an excuse to stay in my PJs all day which means ELASTIC WAISTBAND lololol
This is the first year in 22 years I won’t spend Thanksgiving with friends. I can’t believe they are still hosting – a much smaller group – but still worrisome. We’re all high risk, so it makes no sense to me. I live alone, have mobility and pain issues, so I am picking up turkey, gravy, green bean casserole and two slices of pumpkin pie (you have to have one for the day after!) from a catering company, and will make my own cranberries, crockpot stuffing, and mashed potatoes, all of which can be done ahead of time. I have a bottle of really good champagne, from which I will make a toast to being together next year, and I plan to stay in my usual retirement attire of stretchy clothes, and binge watch The Crown. Somewhere in there, I might even set up my Christmas tree. I am not thrilled about spending the day alone, but it won’t be the first holiday where that’s happened. There are worse things.
@Babz – I think your day sounds wonderful – very relaxing and full of good food!
@Babz, I too think your day sounds wonderful and I too may do the same with some changes. The most important part is that we are able to get together with our friends and family in the future.
I thought about doing a family zoom dinner but does anyone think that’s actually going to be fun watching other people eat on a screen and not really be able to hear them talking amongst themselves unless they’re PROJECTING THEIR VOICE. I guess I’m just a zoom hater – it’s too hard to read people and make little jokes and you can’t just talk to the person next to you, like I would normally do in a social gathering, everything you say has to be spoken to the entire group.
We’re going to Zoom with out of state relatives but not while we’re eating.
I uninvited my brother and his kids yesterday. It’s his year to have them on thanksgiving and it’s too bad but necessary. I told him I’ll pack up food and he can pick it up to go. We are usually in Philadelphia for thanksgiving but that was canceled months ago. I’m still buying a huge turkey though. We can freeze what we don’t eat. Our co-op has local free range, organic birds. With the money I’m saving not traveling I’m going to spring for a $200 heritage turkey. I’ve always wanted to see if they really taste different.
Oh wow, keep us posted on how it is!
My splurge this year is ordering two pies and bread from an amazing bakery about 30 minutes away. Normally I bake everything but I’d rather support the local businesses and their pies are much better than mine anyway!
Most of the people I work with aren’t doing anything for Thanksgiving this year. My step kids in college have been acting like Covid doesn’t exist. One is at Notre Dame where the students could care less and spend their time at the bars all night. I’m happy they won’t be here for Thanksgiving. I ordered a Publix premade dinner and not cooking a thing.
Ok.
I’m supposed to have heart surgery next week. I’m not happy about that. Or about covid.
But should I cancel it because for the love of GOD- I don’t want to go to the place where all the covid is!!!!!
Everyone keeps saying – they have protocols in place etc etc and I just want to stay home until June.
I completely understand your reservations. My husband had to take his mother to the hospital ER two times during this pandemic, including a couple of weeks ago as our region’s cases spiked. He is high-risk, and we’ve tried to keep him protected. Each time, he tells me that he has felt safer at the hospital for those few hours than most anywhere else. He said they follow careful protocols and would call someone out if they were sitting too close or not wearing a mask properly.
WIshing you the best, whenever you have your surgery.
I echo this. My parents both are high risk but have been going to their appointments per usual if they felt they were necessary. They’ve felt very safe – my dad is actually going for eye surgery soon.
I’ve canceled unnecessary appointments like eye doctor and dentist for now, but still got a flu shot and will go to by annual exam in February. I think hospitals are taking every precaution!
@Case – I’ve delayed my eye exam this year as well. I just cannot get comfortable with that one right now. Their office is small and my gut tells me they are probably willy-nilly about protocols. I did go to the dentist for a six-month checkup. They had slightly increased protocols, wore surgery-style hair caps, etc., but what made me sad was that the hygienist seemed to be skeptical of the virus.
So if your eye prescription runs out and you need more contacts or glasses. 1-800-contacts has a free online eye exam you can do. I did it and I’m sure it’s no substitute for going to the eye doctor but if you need to order supplies it helps.
@CB – Thank you for sharing your experience. I ordered more contacts from them days before my Rx expired, but will need more supplies early next year. I wasn’t sure if I’d like the online exam and didn’t know of anyone who had done one. I already order my eyeglasses online from another company and never have to worry about the Rx running out.
Nurse here. Please don’t cancel your surgery. The hospitals are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of their patients. I would have the surgery now because if you put it off, the numbers may keep rising. Take care of yourself. You matter!
Have your surgery! Don’t wait. Thinking good thoughts for you.
I’ll add my two cents: have the surgery. As others have said, hospitals are taking lots of precautions, and your operation sounds like it’s serious / important (as opposed to an elective or minor surgery.)
If it helps, a very good friend of mine lives in the UK and his father has bowel cancer; he had an operation about 2 weeks ago and everything was ok…they had separate entrances for Covid cases, everyone was wearing PPE, and etc.
Sending you good thoughts and virtual hugs!
Thank you all so much. This helped me tremendously. Truly. Thank you. I screen shot your comments so I can read them when I get nervous. Thank you.
I just had surgery last Wednesday, and I second what everyone has been saying. The hospital folks have their A game on for their work. Everyone is masked and takes precautions. Having said that, I wouldn’t wish to work there, because Covid spread among health workers is often related to them lowering precautions during eating and meeting together on breaks.
I was in and out the same day (about 6 hour total) but I’m still isolating for some time from the rest of the family out of an abundance of caution! It’s boring and I hope to get tested after 7 days to see if I’m in the clear, but I’d rather do that than take the risk I might be contagious. Good luck with surgery, and don’t worry about it. You can be home and recuperating quietly through the next few months!
@moxylady Have your surgery and know that prior are all around the world giving you good wishes on the best recovery. You have our strength! And all the medical staff here too!
This is truly a global pandemic and every country needs to pull through and that’s it’s imperative for all our networks – you can do it US & all every other region. I love how here is a site that we have a shared purpose and respect science 😫😂 – “Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path”
Moxy, I don’t know if you’ll see this, but here it is:
In late March (when we were all panicking about the new virus) my dad (92 at the time) had a fall, which necessitated calling EMTs to help get him off the floor. As he is on blood thinners, his wound was too much for me to dress, so we had to take him to his doctor. On one of those visits (beginning of April), the dr. discovered dad had dangerously low blood oxygen. He admitted him immediately to the hospital. My sister couldn’t even go up to the room with him due to Covid restrictions.
My dad was in the hospital for 3 wks (Thank God it wasn’t Covid, but they discovered 2 blood clots in one lung, and one in his leg, perhaps due to that fall). He was tested for Covid FOUR TIMES, and was negative all four times. The nurses and drs. took ALL precautions as if he did have it, fully gowning up every time they went into the room. My dad then had to go to a Rehab place for a week afterward, to get stronger…they almost wouldn’t admit him but finally did (after ANOTHER neg. Covid test). We also couldn’t visit there. They take it really seriously!
Long story short: Drs know SO MUCH MORE NOW than they did at the beginning. They are taking SO many precautions, I think you should trust your drs. to keep you safe, and know you will be better off, healthy wise, if you take care of heart!!
Turkey is actually delicious if you get a small one, or just Turkey breast, and cook it in a crockpot with broth and seasonings for a long time. Moist, tender, juicy. Turkey out of an oven is like cardboard to me.
OOh I can cook the turkey breast in the crockpot! I didn’t even realize this it will be so easy, I’ll just pour chicken broth over it. Thank you Juls that helps so much!!
Update: Found a good recipe!
You’re so welcome! Let us know how it turns out! There are so many great recipes online. Most don’t use broth, and I only use a little. I will check out the one you found. The great thing about this, it frees up the oven for all those yummy casseroles!
Good tip, I will keep that in mind for future meals. I love the crockpot. My husband likes to cook our turkey on the grill but sometimes he mis-times it and it can be dry.
Yes! Turkey is delicious as long as you keep it moist, last year I used a roasting oven and it was the best.
I did a turkey breast for my husband this summer. I brined it and then slathered an herb butter under the skin and olive oil on top, then threw in the oven. It was delicious. And I typically don’t like turkey – well, as far as how my mom prepared it.
Jules we always use a roaster oven. It frees up the regular oven for sides and the turkey comes out super moist.
I’m having issues with finding a good turkey recipe. Usually I use Pioneer Woman’s, and its good, but I wanted to try a dry brine this year. Anyone have experience with that?
Staying home this year with just my husband and dogs. My in laws are hardcore quaranting and suggested we have a big feast to celebrate when the pandemic is over. That’s a fantastic idea. Much better reason to celebrate. My younger brother posted pics of an outdoor maskless wedding he attended and Halloween party. He already had covid in the spring so he may be immune (scientists aren’t sure yet), but I’m not taking any chances. He’s not even a covid denying trumper. So many young people just don’t want to quarantine.
We will be home bound, decorating for Christmas, and letting me have a Thanksgiving off from cooking a big meal. We’re going to smoke a chicken on the grill.
I had to tell my parents yesterday that I don’t think it’s safe for them to join us for Thanksgiving. My kids are all in hybrid school, and with my parents’ age and pre-existing conditions, it’s just not safe. My dad was heartbroken. He is the primary caretaker for my mom, who is mid-stage Alzheimer’s. Distancing and isolation has been SO hard on him, and now I had to take away the family holiday. It was the right decision, but I feel terrible about it. Not as bad as I would feel if they contracted COVID because of us, but still sad and disappointed.
It’s hard. I’m lucky my parents were very understanding about not getting together for Thanksgiving. I actually feel like they might even be a little relieved, lol, for just another quiet day at home.
I live in Utah and our governor just removed restrictions on social gatherings for Thanksgiving. We are at 24% right now and rising. It’s sickening. People aren’t listening and it’s only going to get worse. Our governor only really cares about the economy.
It’s going to be just three of us this year. We are cooking a 15 lb. bird because of leftovers. Turkey soup, thanksgiving egg rolls (turkey, mashed potato, stuffing & cranberry sauce in egg roll wrappers) and I saw a turkey “lasagna” which is comprised of layers of Thanksgiving leftovers in a pan.
Christmas has already been canceled with my extended family. I am all right with this. We can do it if it means everyone will be around in 2021.
I’m having dinner with my parents. I don’t live with them, but we’ve all been working from home and order our deliveries so there’s no risk there. Our usual Thanksgiving is around 25 people so it’ll be strange, but I’m actually looking forward to a quiet holiday season (we’ve called off a big family Christmas, too). I miss my extended family, but I think it’s good to make the most of what will (hopefully) be a one-off strange year.
Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday, so I’m fully aboard the ‘cancel Thanksgiving not just this year, but every year’ train.
Same. I’m letting my ex have our son even though it is “my” year and I practically begged to be allowed to work on Thanksgiving. I work at a hotel so I only have a few people to check in. Otherwise I am chilling in our lobby with my mask on, watching football and reading books.
Hopefully our company still gives time and a half for Thanksgiving. I feel lucky that I didnt take a pay cut so I havent asked.
It’s just me and it’s far from the first holiday that I’ve spent on my own. I’m single (middle-aged and not really all that interested at this point in my life so that’s unlikely to change). I only have one family member that I’m close to but they don’t live nearby. Anyway, the only difference for me this year is that on other years when I didn’t feel like cooking but wanted a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the sides, I’d just bop over to my local Whole Foods and they’d have everything that I wanted at the hot bar. Obviously not going to happen this year. I’ve thought about supporting a local restaurant and getting a prepared meal but they all come with pumpkin pie (which I hate). Or I’ll just pretend that it’s just another Thursday and eat whatever I have on hand and be grateful that I have a job that I can do via telework, food, and a roof over my head and that, thus far, no one that I know has contracted Covid.
I’ve never been much of a traditional Thanksgiving eater, and I appreciate not having to do the family sit-downs. A turkey or club sandwich from a deli or making it myself would be OK with me. I love a little bit of cranberry jam/jelly on any ham or turkey sandwich. I may also pull out some pasta for the day.
As you say – it’s more about being thankful than one’s personal meal matching whatever expectation is out there.
I bought a turkey for me, my husband, and our two sons. We’re staying in our little bubble for the holiday and we’re fine with that notion since we’re staying home anyway. We’ll have plenty of leftovers and full bellies while calling our family members throughout the day.
Please stay home. It’s just an overrated meal for a few hours. Our lives do not depend on one simple day.
My state is going into a stay at home order starting on Saturday. I’m not sure if the gov realizes that covid has no sense of time and the hours between 10pm and 5am mean absolutely nothing to it. Also, how can it be enforced? Do the police just drive down the street and cite everyone who has let their wild turkey day extend into 10pm?
This year I’m staying home and making a thyme cornish hen for myself and for my mother to pick up next day. She’s doing pre-cooked turkey breast day of for herself and her husband but she will have cornish game hen on Friday. I’d go over and cook it at their place but she’s not fond of her oven so she uses it as pot and pan storage.
The thanksgiving holiday has always been my favorite – not for thanksgiving (I think it’s kinda bullshit) but for the fact that my birthday is the 23rd and I lived for getting a week off for my birthday. Hehe.
This year my family (the people in my household) will be grilling on Wednesday and enjoying movies and hanging out for a long weekend.
My family (humans I am more closely related to by dna than other humans) are going to have a big gathering. Basically everyone will be there other than my small group.
🙄
Amen. I sure hope people take heed. I’m sure most Democrats will, but the Trumpies won’t, & that breaks my heart (NOT!).
It’s just going to be me & my mother this Thanksgiving. Every Thanksgiving we usually invite guests that we know don’t have a family to celebrate with, but not this year. Too risky. Mom & I R gonna do a non-traditional Thanksgiving & fry shrimp that’s a family recipe that goes back like 3 generations. It’s to die for! I cannot wait.
Um… how rude to tease us with a 3rd gen shrimp dish and not share details! 💗 I am so jealous!!!
People don’t want to listen. At my job only a handful of us wear a mask, even though it’s strongly suggested that they do. And several people I know said screw the CDC recommendation and are going to have big thanksgivings and travel. All I can do is shake my head and stay away from these people.
We got travel restrictions in BC yesterday, we’re being encouraged to not leave town, and under no circumstances should we gather in group. Stick to the family bubble only.
At my job, we work in single cubicles along a hallway, with attorneys in offices with windows on the outer edge of the building. My office put up plexiglass in front of our desks, and masks are mandatory for everyone not behind their plexiglass or in their office.
I’ve been impressed with the way my office is handling it.
New Orleans had it particularly bad in the beginning, so we worked from home until mid-June.
My friends are still gathering for our usual 10-15 thanksgiving, but i declined the invitation.
I asked my boyfriend (who does not enjoy hoildays) to have thanksgiving dinner with me, and he agreed.
I eat ham, he’s a pescatarian so he’s getting tuna steak, and i am cooking a few sides and probably picking up a dessert and maybe some sweet potato casserole.
Just like usual i will watch the Macy’s parade for the awesome floats, and later enjoy some football.
The dogs are the real winners as i will be home with them all day, and in the kitchen for part of that day.
I expect it to be a very nice thanksgiving.
I will miss the gathering with my friends.
But i don’t want to risk myself or the nice man i live with, who is 64, for that dinner.
Everybody be safe out there.
We’re doing brisket (slow cooks in the oven for 6 hours). I love my brisket as does my hubby. Picking up sides at Costco or TJs. Done! Happy Thanksgiving y’all. Everyone stay safe.
It’ll be just the 4 of us this year and frankly, I am looking forward to it. My oldest is a senior in high school so we are going to appreciate having our kids all to ourselves this last time before we enter the phase of sending kids off on their own. No one in our house really likes traditional Thanksgiving fare so we are cooking a Prime NY strip roast and sides we will all eat. Our biggest nod to the holiday will be a cranberry apple pie for dessert. There will be some Zoom calls with some family in there, some football, and a solve-the-murder-mystery game/crate. Hopefully it will be a nice day we will look back on as one of the silver linings in a sh*tty year.
We normally do charcuteries, brisket, tamales, etc. and make a huge grazing table. But this year, traditional sort of fell in my lap. I’ll be roasting a bone-in turkey breast and small ham. Dressing, smashed taters in the crockpot, green beans with mushrooms, holiday slaw and a fruit salad. And roles and gravy of course. I’ve done turkey in the crock but we love that crispy skin lol. Since I’m not cooking the whole turkey, I’ll do the seasoned butter under the skin and do injections. Should be fine.
I normally have 14 for dinner, both sides are small so everyone comes to my house and pitches in and it’s fun! However, this year, it’s my husband and I, my daughter who is coming home from college and my other daughter who currently lives with us, she works full time but is paying off some student loans before she fully “adults”…..I tried to pare down the menu but it still seems that I’m making about 12 items for four people because the “kids” still wanted that familiar food, so at least I can give them that much.
I fear Christmas will be the same, but my family is complying. I don’t understand people who value turkey and dressing over human life.
That sounds about right 😀 I’m 40 and my mom is still making traditional Thanksgiving snacks to spread amongst my siblings and I. Somethings just never change 😉
Quiet Thanksgiving here. Just the two of us and Wallace the cat. Buying a small turkey freezing half and brining and roasting the other half. I try to avoid crowds. A friend and I usually go shopping once a week and other than that she stays home. I have worked from home for the last 15 years. A bit different this year but that’s okay. Debating on making a pumpkin roll or a pumpkin cheese cake with a ginger snap crust. Stay safe and healthy. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve spent the last 3 months getting our pop up camper ready for covid camping. We’re lucky that our camper has a shower and bathroom, so we can avoid the park bathhouses. We’ll be spending Thanksgiving week in the state park, isolated to our little camper. We won’t have a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but my boys are satisfied with smores by a campfire.
I’m so excited!
My brother and sil are hosting Thanksgiving at their house and we politely declined the invitation for obvious reasons. Her family thinks COVID is a hoax. :/
Right, and being in the office with complete strangers is safe???!!
We usually do some kind of family get together but this year it’s just the four of us. We’re ordering Thanksgiving dinner this year from a good restaurant and hanging out. Just don’t feel like cooking this year. Will try to coordinate a Zoom call during dinner with family but fine with staying home this year. Unfortunately we do know of people traveling far from home, so will avoid them during the next few weeks.
It’s just me and my son this year-and he works until early afternoon on Thanksgiving. I don’t mind cooking, but I thought I’d throw my $$$ to a local restaurant. They’re doing dinner for 4 for $40, so why not? Lots of leftovers!
And I’ll have time to try to make a cranberry tart (with gingersnap crust) on Wednesday night.
Stay safe, all you Celebitches!
I feel awful. I live in Omaha Nebraska, and we are getting new record cases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths weekly. My husband has gone to see his (elderly) dad, who lives with his dad’s (elderly) ex wife (it’s a complicated story, but a sweet one), and their (obese) 40something son a handful of times since COVID, most recently two weeks ago. They’ve invited us to Thanksgiving. I don’t want to go.
Not as an “Eew, your family” thing (my family isn’t doing Thanksgiving at all this year), but as a “I’m a bartender. I am likely exposed every day. I could be a carrier. I don’t want to carry it into your family’s home.”
Also, our governor, who is a complete Trump toadie, is actually starting to show fear and anxiety over this, and has admitted to not handling it properly. The fact that he can admit to mistakes at this point is frightening to me-it means things are getting VERY BAD.