Will You Follow the CDC Guidelines for Thanksgiving?

How many times have we all complained about having to get together with the family on Thanksgiving? Maybe you've dreaded the awkward conversations with relatives you barely know. Perhaps it's the inconvenience of having to travel to a family member's house when you just want to enjoy your extra day at home. Too many kids running around? Judgmental elders? You get what I'm talking about. You can't help but chuckle just a bit when you really think about it - now that we're not supposed to get together with the family - everybody wants to!

Coronavirus cases saw a decent spike after the 4th of July holiday. Then they warned us that another spike would be coming in the weeks that followed Labor Day - and they were right. And as we've seen numbers climbing across the country, the CDC is recommending that people don't travel during Thanksgiving. I don't know......it seems like a tough task when you try to keep Americans away from their food and family.

You can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to see more of their recommendations. But I'll just lay out some or their suggestions in bullet point form for you below.

They suggest to:

• Celebrate at home with members of your household
• Minimize travel to lower the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19
• Wear a mask and wash hands if you travel
• Social distance
• Carry extra masks and hand sanitizer
• Get a flu shot
• Bring your own utensils, plates and cups if you celebrate with a group
• Limit the number of guests
• Eat outside or open windows and doors if eating inside

It's no fun to miss out on a holiday you would normally spend surrounded by family and friends. But ultimately, the CDC suggests the safest way to celebrate is virtually or with our immediate households.

Will your Thanksgiving (and Christmas) plans be altered this year because of the pandemic?