Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner. So if you want to visit family, experts have some advice for you on how to spend the next few weeks.
What you should do this week:
Experts recently told NBC News that Americans who want to travel for Thanksgiving should spend two weeks in quarantine.
Thanksgiving Day is scheduled for Nov. 26. So quarantine should begin on Thursday, Nov. 12, experts told NBC News.
- “The two-week quarantine time frame is called for because that’s the length of the virus’s incubation period — that is, the time from when a person is exposed to when symptoms develop,” according to NBC News.
The two-week timeframe allows people to make sure that they don’t have the novel coronavirus. Otherwise, you’re rolling the dice on someone visiting you and not being asymptomatic — even though 40% of infections are asymptomatic.
How to travel
There might be some questions about how to travel during the pandemic. Planes are an obvious choice, but you might be stuck with people in one space for hours. The New York Times reports that there might be fewer fliers for Thanksgiving 2020, but more full planes.
- Scientists haven’t found major evidence that the coronavirus can spread on airplanes. One study said the virus had an incredibly low risk of transmission on a plane as long as everyone on board wore masks.
Where to travel
The New York Times reports that experts encourage people to travel places where there are less strangers nearby to limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure, like a vacation home rental.
- “Bringing your own food to last during your stay is another way to minimize contact with strangers. Where possible, experts recommend dining outdoors, or even dividing up an outdoor patio into areas assigned to each family bubble,” according to The New York Times.
Where not to travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said that people should avoid traveling to places that have high community levels of COVID-19 spread.
- “Family and friends should consider the number and rate of COVID-19 cases in their community and in the community where they plan to celebrate when considering whether to host or attend a holiday celebration,” according to the CDC.
You should avoid traveling if ...
Attending in-person holiday celebrations might not be a good for those who are at risk for severe complications with COVID-19, according to the CDC.
Anyone who is at increased risk for COVID-19 — or lives or works with someone at increased risk — should avoid in-person gatherings with those outside your household, and gatherings or activities that could pose a giant risk, according to the CDC.