A COVID-19 Thanksgiving

When I was a child, Aunt Ethel, Uncle Jack, Uncle Charlie, and Cousin Joni would come over for the Thanksgiving feast. As an adult with two daughters, we’d visit Uncle Harry, Aunt Stephanie, and Cousin Melanie for Thanksgiving where Harry would cook the turkey and Stephanie would prepare all the fixings. When they all moved to Kernville, we celebrated with the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains as our backdrop. It was always fun. This year my niece invited us up to celebrate again, but my brother nixed the idea because of his pre-existing health conditions. His behavior made me realize that the Thanksgiving of 2020 will be unlike any we’ve experienced in our lifetime.

Coronavirus cases are rising during this fall’s second wave. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that gatherings for Thanksgiving and other holidays will worsen the surge in COVID-19 cases. Their suggestion: Stay isolated in your own household. Consequently, difficult decisions are in store for all of us. On the one hand, we miss our families and friends. We are bored, depressed, and or need to get out from an environment we’ve been cooped up in for the last nine months. (Enough is enough!!) However, we don’t want to get sick from this horrible disease that can cause weakening of the heart, long-term breathing problems, and brain damage in the form of strokes, seizures, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (an immune system disorder where nerves are attacked by immune cells).

With that said, everyone’s tolerance for risk is different. For example, Harry and Stephanie will celebrate Thanksgiving with Melanie and her family. This will be their smallest Thanksgiving celebration, ever. Fortunately, Daphna, my x-wife, heard about our conundrum and volunteered to celebrate Thanksgiving in her home. 

A few friends of mine are extremely frightened of the virus due to their age and pre-existing conditions. They plan on celebrating the holiday alone. And who can blame them?

Look at Canada. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October. The aftermath of this year’s festivities spurred a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases. The CDC says, “Travel increases the chances of contracting and spreading COVID-19.” They suggest we all stay home to protect ourselves and others. If you are old, frail, have pre-existing conditions you are especially vulnerable to the virus.

One really nice thing you can do for people choosing to stay isolated is to bring them a delicious serving of your Thanksgiving spread. Also, some families may decide to use Zoom so they can have a virtual holiday celebration. 

Daphna is incredibly sweet inviting all of us to celebrate a holiday she never felt connected to. (She was born and raised in Israel.)

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the Thanksgiving holiday, the CDC suggests:

1. Wear a mask.
2. Stay 6-feet apart from anyone not in your household. 
3. Wash your hands frequently.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
5. Try to celebrate outdoors, and if that’s not possible, open windows to keep the dining room well ventilated. 

Daphna and her husband, my daughters and their families have all been careful since the pandemic began, so I’m sure the environment will be safe. Talk to your family about your COVID-19 holiday wishes and plan together to make 2020 Thanksgiving memorable. 

Michael Thal is the author of The Abduction of Joshua Bloom, a science-fiction saga of a teen abducted by aliens from a far-off star.