COVID-19 update, Monday October 26th

Thanksgiving planning.

I have been getting some questions regarding Thanksgiving and if I think it is safe to spend the holiday with family and friends so I thought I would dedicate today’s post to that question. First and foremost, let me say that there is no “one size fits all” answer – and honestly, there isn’t even a “right” answer. The decision is very personal – but I can help you make it and offer some tips.

I like to use a color code system for these things and rank risk accordingly. Here is a sample you can use if you find it helpful:

Green = low risk

Yellow = mild risk

Orange = moderate risk

Red = high risk

Identifying the Risk.

First, you want to evaluate your households’ risk and your risk tolerance. Consider your personal risk tolerance – how much risk are you willing to take? Are you looking for a green experience, an orange? Then rank your personal risk for developing severe COVID. So, things like pre-existing conditions (particularly high blood pressure and or heart issues), then age, then male/female etc. Look at each person's personal risk. For each member of your immediate family or those in your household, rank them as green, yellow, orange, or red. Then, rank each of the people who will be gathering for the holiday using the same system.

If you are a high risk (red) individual, you may want to forgo any Thanksgiving celebration that involves anyone outside of your immediate household. Only you can make that decision of course, but determine your current risk level and what risk level you are willing to be for the holiday.

Once you know what your risks are, then take a look at each person’s current exposure risk. For this, we are concerned with how at risk they are in their day to day functions. For example, are they working in a high-risk environment? What level of precautions have they been taking, how will they be traveling to the gathering, do they live in a hot spot, have they been tested, have they had a known exposure to COVID etc.?

You may find that you are a green and would like to stay a green throughout the holiday. Perfect. Keep Thanksgiving within your immediate family this year. You may find you are an orange, and are willing to remain an orange. Consider what you need to do to keep your risk from reaching red. Also think about how your interactions during the holiday may impact others, what level of risk are you willing to put yourself in and what level are you willing to create for others?

Next, consider the activities you have planned and rank them as well. Will everything be inside? How crowded will the venue be? Will you be able to space out? Rank each activity according to its level of risk. Think about what the day will involve and identify the risky moments.

Once you have identified all the risks, Consider what, if any, changes need to be made in order to reduce those risks to the level you would feel comfortable with. Look at each person and think about if you need to reconsider who is attending, where it will be held, or what activities will be part of it. Make a plan and communicate it with everyone who will be attending so there are no surprises. This is part of 2020 so don’t be shy about having the discussion. Talk openly with your family and loved ones about the risks and what everyone will be doing to prevent becoming a super spreader event.

Remember that everyone has to do what they are most comfortable with or what is right for them. So if people don't come to a gathering, do your best to help them feel comfortable and at ease with that decision. There should be zero guilt associated with the decision. Plan for and schedule a time during the holiday to video visit with anyone who isn't able to attend in person.

Below are a few risk mitigation strategies, I am sure you have a list of your own, feel free to share things you are doing to help reduce risk - other people will surely find them helpful.

1. Split the gathering into two different places if you have a particularly large group. You can do a virtual gathering at some point during the day to see each other but it will reduce the overall risk if you keep things smaller rather than larger.

2. Drive instead of fly when possible.

3. Pack food, drinks, and snacks during transit to reduce the risk of having to eat in restaurants or spend more time than necessary in gas stations, populated airport areas, etc.

4. Pay at the pump for gas. Avoid going into the gas station unless you need to. Wear a mask when you do and get in and get out as quickly as possible. Less time inside public places = less risk.

5. If you fly, wear your mask, and carry hand sanitizer with you. Use it frequently. Take shorter flights when possible even if it means taking more of them – longer flights create a higher risk.

6. Serve the food buffet-style instead of passing it around.

7. Have designated handwashing times, such as upon arrival, prior to cooking, prior to eating, after eating, prior to leaving, etc. The more you wash your hands the more you reduce risk.

8. Serve the meal on a fresh pack of paper plates. I know-I know… but this will reduce the number of hands that touch the plates and it makes clean up easier. Have one person set the table and have them wash their hands first.

9. Encourage and support mask wearing for anyone and everyone who wants to wear them. Make this something that is ok for people who want to wear them especially if you have high-risk individuals (either high risk for developing COVID or high risk for spreading it).

10. Plan some outdoor activities so you do not spend as much time inside.

11. Space out within the house as much as possible and is reasonable.

12. Recognize that some people may need to adhere to different “rules” than others. For example, perhaps you have an uncle who is at high risk but really wants to be there. Have him wear a mask and/or others wear a mask when in the room with him. Take the time to think about each person who will be in the gathering and plan accordingly.

13. Have people significantly reduce their interactions with the public prior to coming to the gathering. Two weeks would be great, but not everyone can quarantine for two weeks. Five days would be acceptable. But if that is not reasonable then just reduce activity as much as you can. The more everyone can limit their exposure to people outside their household in the 2 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving the better.

14. If you are hosting, considering purchasing air filters with high HEPA ratings to catch and eliminate the virus from traveling through the vents.

15. Stay home and celebrate with the members of your immediate family.

16. Shop early to avoid large crowds in the grocery store.

Finally, relax and enjoy yourself. In the midst of this wild year, it is easy to lose sight of all that we have to be thankful for, but there is so much. Once your decision is made, feel confident that you have done what is best for you and your loved ones and just enjoy the day. Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t second guess your decision, and don’t’ beat yourself up if someone gets sick.

FINAL THOUGHTS: We are heading into a difficult season. Yes, I know we have been in a challenging season, but the next few months are looking like they will be particularly difficult. We need each other. We need to love each other and build each other up. So look around, assess the situation, and then do what is right for you and your loved ones – let others do the same. Let’s just vow to love each other and if that is all we ever do, it will be enough.

Thanksgiving.pdf

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