One-third of American parents feel that the benefits of getting together for holiday is worth the risk of spreading or catching COVID-19.
What the poll found:
The new results come from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at Michigan Medicine.
- The poll found one-third of parents say gatherings are worth the COVID-19 risk.
- About 90% of parents said grandparents — who are at risk for severe infection of COVID-19 — will be at their Thanksgiving gatherings.
- Half of parents said COVID-19 has cut down time spent with between children and extended family.
- The poll results were based on about 1,500 responses from parents with at least one child 12 years old and younger, according to CNN.
What it really says:
Mott poll co-director Sarah Clark, M.P.H., said in a statement that the poll reveals that families are willing to risk COVID-19 for the holidays.
- “As COVID-19 cases spike, many families are struggling with whether and how to continue their holiday traditions while balancing risks and benefits,” Clark said.
- “For many parents, holidays mean sharing special rituals across different generations and opportunities for children to connect with grandparents, cousins and other relatives.”
- “Our report suggests that while many children have spent less time with relatives during the pandemic, some parents may have a hard time foregoing holiday gatherings in order to reduce COVID-19 risks.”