How to Gather Safely This Thanksgiving

We all feel pretty good about celebrating Thanksgiving together this year, right? Dr. Fauci told us to go ahead and feel good about getting together indoors with family and friends, maskless, as long as we’re vaccinated and this news is so very uplifting after really feeling this pandemic fatigue for a long time. It feels right to go ahead and reboot the Thanksgiving celebrations!

Along with this good news, though, we need to keep in mind that there are still risks, especially for vulnerable populations like adults who aren’t vaccinated, young children who aren’t fully vaccinated or are too young for a vaccination, or those who have weakened immune systems. It’s not time to let our guard down!

So what can we do to make our celebrations safer for all of us?

Get vaccinated – it’s the best defense we have, the number one measure to limit the spread of Covid 19!

And if you’re already vaccinated, get a booster shot if you’re eligible–– a nice added insurance policy, especially if you’re traveling.

We all seem to feel safer in our own homes but most of us have pretty poorly ventilated houses––sealed up tight to be more energy efficient. We may be saving on heating costs but just think about those invisible viral particles floating around the table. The best thing we can do to avoid breathing in those particles is to open windows in all rooms, and the wider, the better! Turning on exhaust fans, like the ones above stoves and in bathrooms can help too.

It’s still smart to keep our gatherings small.

If you are considering traveling for Thanksgiving, visit CDC’s Travel page to help you make the best decisions for you and your family.

Ask guests to be sure to reduce their contacts and potential exposures for at least a week.

Wash your hands! And be sure to have paper towels in the bathroom so guests can avoid sharing the same towel.

Obviously, a fully vaccinated guest list is the safest way to go and experts agree that it’s perfectly reasonable for people to require their guests are vaccinated, especially if you have children too young or those who are compromised.  We need to do our part to ensure this population stays safe. You can also ask guests to test before they come––a PCR test 24 to 48 hours before if they're able to get the results back in time or a rapid antigen test just before their arrival.

If you’re planning on celebrating Thanksgiving in one of our island restaurants (see a list of our favorite spots for a Thanksgiving feast here) keep in mind wearing a mask and practicing social distancing is key. Especially the distancing part since you can’t keep a mask on while eating. Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated spaces and you can always call and ask your favorite restaurant what safety protocols they have in place.

If you have even minor symptoms that could be shrugged off as allergies or a cold, stay home and get tested.

We have promising evidence from last holiday season that our efforts to slow this thing down can make a difference!