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Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 
Coronavirus U.S. & World

4 questions to ask on Thanksgiving to avoid COVID-19

How to avoid COVID-19 exposure on Thanksgiving

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
SHARE 4 questions to ask on Thanksgiving to avoid COVID-19
A photo from Crossroad Mission’s “Three Days of Thanksgiving” celebration.

A young girl enjoys a free lunchtime meal during Tuesday’s opening event of Crossroad Mission’s “Three Days of Thanksgiving” celebration at its main campus, in Yuma, Ariz., on Nov. 23, 2021.

Randy Hoeft, The Yuma Sun via Associated Press

Thanksgiving is officially here, and that likely means you’ll be spending more time with your family or loved ones around a table.

Not to bring down the mood, but family gatherings could increase your exposure to the novel coronavirus.

CNN recently reported that there are four essential questions to ask before you meet up for dinner with your family on Thanksgiving.

  1. Have you been vaccinated?
  2. Have you been tested for COVID-19?
  3. Should you open a window?
  4. Should you mask up to protect those at severe risk?

These four questions will help you understand how to spend your holiday. Experts agree that fully vaccinated people can have a normal Thanksgiving dinner together. Unvaccinated people and those who traveled can also stay safe and keep others safe by being tested for COVID-19. Opening windows and wearing masks can help prevent exposure to unvaccinated family members or anyone at high risk.

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These four questions will help you understand how to spend your holiday. Experts agree that fully vaccinated people can have a normal Thanksgiving dinner together. Unvaccinated people and those who traveled can also stay safe and keep others safe by being tested for COVID-19. Opening windows and wearing masks can help prevent exposure to unvaccinated family members or anyone at high risk.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” over the weekend that fully vaccinated people can gather without masks. But you can still take steps to be protected.

  • “Get vaccinated and you can enjoy the holidays very easily. And if you’re not, please be careful,” Fauci said. “Get tested if you need to get tested when you’re getting together, but that’s not a substitute for getting vaccinated. Get yourself vaccinated and you can continue to enjoy interactions with your family and others.”

Experts have been warning about the coronavirus surge that could come from Thanksgiving gatherings for weeks, especially as the winter months arrive and people spend more time indoors.