When you think of the holidays, you think of families traveling by plane or car to celebrate with loved ones in different cities and states. In light of the pandemic, many people will be playing it safe and celebrating Thanksgiving 2020 in the comfort of their own homes, which is the best way to protect yourself and those you love. This year, along with worrying about how to navigate hot topics at the family table, we have to consider the virus and health of those we love.
Travel
It’s been a long time and we are all tired of social distancing. It would be easy to drop your guard and convince yourself that large gatherings are part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Remember that travel increases your risk and puts friends and family members at risk, as well. You may feel perfectly fine with no symptoms but you can still spread the virus to other people. At a minimum, check your state’s cases, as well as your travel destination, before leaving home to determine if the risk of getting sick or potentially spreading the virus is worth the visit to see a loved one.
Go Outside
The best ventilation is the fresh outdoors. If you decide to host a Thanksgiving feast, consider outdoor tables and limit the number of guests you invite. Encourage each guest to bring warm clothes and whatever they will need to feel comfortable outside. While it might sound sterile, checking everyone’s temperature before they enter is a good safety measure.
Provide Added Layers of Safety
Don’t rely on everyone to follow the rules. Avoid hugs and kisses and make sure everyone is wearing their masks (properly) if you have people over outside of your household. Have hand sanitizer readily available at the door and different locations around the house and outdoors. Encourage everyone to wash their hands and sanitize often. Steer clear from high contact sports (the annual touch football game is off limits this year) and situations where there will be loud shouting or singing.
Be Mindful of How to Serve the Thanksgiving Meal
Avoid buffet-style serving. Use single-serve options or designate one person to be responsible for serving guests. Offer disposable utensils and avoid anything that has been used previously. Such as table cloths, seat cushions or anything that has not been thoroughly disinfected between uses.
Take Your Own Health Seriously
You may think you are less likely to get the virus since you are generally a healthy person with no underlying health issues. But younger adults and children are at risk as well. Get a flu shot and do what you can to stay healthy and strong. Which also means using sound judgment when it comes to risk factors.
Shop Differently on Black Friday
One of the favorite holiday activities for many people is shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Do your homework now to research safe alternatives. Some stores are already offering cost-effective shopping options and will take the place of going into the store and exposing you to large crowds.
You may also like Celebrating Thanksgiving 2020. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
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