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How to Give Thanks During a Pandemic

By November 25, 2020February 28th, 2024From Susan

Here’s How Women Can Create New Thanksgiving Traditions.

We love our traditions. We long for normal. We yearn to connect with family and friends over a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

But this year, Thanksgiving will be different.

Coronavirus cases are on the rise and the last thing we want to do is create unnecessary risk for our loved ones. It only takes one sick person– someone who may not even realize they are sick– to spread the virus. This is not the time to let our guard down.

The CDC is strongly recommending against travel this year. Risk comes not just from the mode of travel but from transportation hubs that can make physical distancing more difficult.

The best thing to do? Stay home and celebrate with just the people you live with.

Those who have not been actively living with you for the 14-days before you’re celebrating are not considered a member of your household, according to CDC guidelines. If non-household members attend, you will need to take extra precautions, even wearing masks within your own home.

Still planning on a gathering? Here are some tips that can help minimize risk:

  • Eat outside if you can. If that’s not possible, improve ventilation by opening windows.
  • Reduce the guest count and keep the party short. Smaller gatherings for briefer periods of time will help limit exposure.
  • Make sure everyone agrees that anyone who has symptoms or as been exposed cannot come. You might even require that attendees test negative before coming.
  • Limit the number of people preparing and serving food.
  • Arrange seating so that there is at least six feet between guests who don’t live together.
  • Keep your masks on when you aren’t eating and can’t be six feet apart.
  • Have hand sanitizer handy.
  • Avoid crowded sporting events or shopping trips.
  • And finally, the hardest one of all… No hugging!

But just because Thanksgiving looks different this year doesn’t mean you can’t get creative!

Generate new ways to stay connected with loved ones. Here are some thought-starters:

  • Leverage social platforms and Zoom. Note: Zoom is lifting its time limit on free calls for Thanksgiving Day!
  • Set up a Webcam at the dinner table and have a virtual Thanksgiving meal.
  • Watch movies together through video chat.
  • Let the kids FaceTime their cousins and play a board game with them.
  • Encourage the kids to write stories and read them to their grandparents via Zoom.
  • Show off your best holiday masks on Zoom and vote on the best.
  • Send Thanksgiving cards or letters to family and friends.
  • Go for a post-dinner walk.
  • Play outdoor games.

Or maybe shake up tradition completely and take a long weekend at a cabin. Sure, this year is going to be different, but there are plenty of good times to be had. With a little planning, this Thanksgiving can be fun, festive, and most of all, safe.