Talking turkey about holiday get-togethers

Thanksgiving is typically a time of turkey and travel. Either you travel to the house that’s serving the turkey, or people travel to your house and you serve the turkey. This year, although the turkey will be the same, travel won’t. With the high number of positive COVID-19 cases across the state and country, officials are recommending that everyone stay home for Thanksgiving. If travel outside California is essential (work- or health-related), it is recommended to quarantine for 14 days when you return.

A common question is “If COVID cases are high everywhere, why do I have to quarantine if I travel? It’s just as bad here as everywhere else.” The answer is that travel mixes households. Passengers in planes, trains and buses are from different households and share common space for prolonged periods of time. That in itself can cause transmission. Being in terminals, stations and public spaces can also increase the risk of COVID-19. Simply put, by staying home you don’t have the risk of exposures and bringing new cases to California. 

Celebrating the holidays will be very different this year. The safest way is to celebrate with only members of your household, meaning the people who live with you in the same house, and to connect virtually with other family and friends. Public Health also recommends to shop early for groceries and other items to avoid crowds, or have groceries delivered to you.

Guidelines for private outdoor gatherings include that there be no more than 15 people from 3 households (including the host household) and they last no more than 2 hours. If gatherings must be held indoors, they should include members of only your own household.

Yesterday, L.A. County set the record it never wanted: the highest number of new cases in one day at 5,031. Officials warn that cases are increasing at a dangerous pace; the 7-day average increase in new cases is surging at 68%. With cases increasing at this rate, it will be much longer before we can be back at Bellefontaine. As cases increase, so do hospitalizations. If hospitalizations increase at the same rate as cases, our hospitals will be overwhelmed. They will be unable to care for not only COVID patients, but for car accident, heart attack and stroke victims. We need to protect space in hospitals for other illnesses by staying home and stopping the spread.  

Both L.A. County and the City of Pasadena are putting additional restrictions in place on the sizes of gatherings and the hours of operation for some businesses. Health officials have set guidelines for additional actions if cases or hospitalizations continue to rise.

Even though it may be very different this year, we still have much to be thankful for. And we have an important point of gratitude in common—we are all grateful to be part of this loving and caring Mayfield family.

Let’s all stay safe and healthy!

 

Cathy Cota, RN, BSN, PHN