Don’t go over the river. And don’t even think about going through the woods.
Grandma’s house will still be there in a few months.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control advises Americans to just say no to Thanksgiving travel, saying Thursday that the spike of a million new coronavirus cases over the past week ramps up the urgency to avoid family gatherings that could further spread the virus.
“Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year,” the new guidelines state.
On Wednesday, the U.S. surpassed 250,000 deaths from the novel virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The agency is asking people to think about how their holiday plans could affect those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
“We are really asking people to be flexible in their plans for Thanksgiving. In the last week we’ve seen over a million new cases, [and] Thanksgiving is a week away,” said Erin Sauber-Schatz, the head of CDC’s Community Intervention and Critical Population Task Force. “And so if you are showing any signs and symptoms of COVID-19, we are strongly recommending that you do not travel, be flexible and make those decisions, moving forward in the next week.”
Dr. Henry Walke, the agency’s COVID-19 incident manager, seconded Sauber-Schatz, adding that those who do decide to travel should wear a mask while in public, maintain social distancing, and wash hands often with soap and water.
An important caveat for visitors to your home – especially those staying overnight: “Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”
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