The holidays have become a hot topic this year! The CDC recommends that you celebrate in your home with the people you live with. Of course, for those who live alone, this is a lot to ask. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the one day a year where Americans make the effort to actually see their extended family in person. While we all know that the pandemic is a huge threat to public health and safety, it still seems to be a big ask for people to stay in their homes.
What about my bubble?
Over the summer, many people opened up their bubbles to include friends and family outside of their homes. No one is saying that you can’t invite those people over, but keep in mind that states like New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Rhode Island, all have rules limiting private at-home gatherings. So, you definitely can invite these people to your Thanksgiving dinner, but make sure you’re all tested, safe and you’re adhering to the rules in your area.
Spending the holiday alone
If you have no one in your bubble, make sure that you prioritize your mental health this Thanksgiving. Being alone for long periods of time, like many of us have in 2020, can be taxing on your mental health, and this time of year is even harder as it starts getting darker earlier. To keep us all connected, Zoom is allowing users to spend an entire Thanksgiving feast with their loved ones for as long as they want instead of the usual 40-minutes for free accounts. If you’re not a Zoomer, there are so many other ways that you can connect with others in this day and age. Connect with others, take it easy and make it a nice day for yourself as much as you can.
Travel safely
At the end of the day, all we can recommend is that you do what is best for you. If you don’t suffer from any pre-existing conditions, or have COVID-19 antibodies and therefore feel safe traveling, then you should do so safely. Make sure that you wear a mask, wash your hands and stay at least six feet away from other travelers whenever possible. Also, make sure you check travel restrictions before you go! Some states require a 14-day quarantine upon arrival, so be aware of what is expected of you. The CDC also recommends that you get a flu shot before traveling. Better safe than sorry!
