NEWS

Eight steps to follow for a safe Thanksgiving this year, according to experts

Jeremy Childs
Ventura County Star

Thanksgiving is usually a holiday celebrated by gathering with friends and family members, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, the occasion will look a bit different this year.

Federal, state, and local health officials all discourage gatherings between households, as gatherings are among the most common ways to spread COVID-19. The California Department of Public Health updated their recommendations last week ahead of the expected Thanksgiving gatherings. 

"In general, the more people from different households a person interacts with at a gathering, the closer the physical interaction is, and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk that a person with a COVID-19 infection, symptomatic or asymptomatic, may spread it to others," the department stated.

California COVID:Ventura County records 412 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, over 1,500 in a week

Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County's public health officer, said the only way to guarantee not contracting COVID-19 is to avoid gatherings entirely.

"All you can do is maximize your chances of not getting it and minimize your risk," Levin said. "Everything is about improving your odds."

For those who are planning to gather for Thanksgiving this year, here are eight guidelines to follow in order to ensure the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains as low as possible.

Traditional Thanksgiving plans will have to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic and state restrictions this year.

Do not travel for Thanksgiving

The top guideline from federal and state public health officials is to avoid traveling for Thanksgiving.

Traveling both increases the risk of travelers getting COVID-19 if they do not have it, and the risk of spreading COVID-19 if they do.

To assess the risk of traveling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends asking the following questions:

  • Are you visiting anyone at high risk?
  • Are cases increasing in your community or where you're heading?
  • Are you traveling via bus, train or airplane which make social distancing difficult?
  • Have you recently had close contact with people outside your household?
  • Are you traveling with people from outside your household?

Senior advocate:For 'solo agers,' having a plan is part of the aging process

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," CDC guidelines recommend considering canceling or postponing travel until they are no longer true.

For those who go against guidelines and still decide to travel, experts recommend wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, sanitizing hands often, avoiding touching your mask or face and checking any travel restrictions in place before heading out.

Limit gatherings to three households max

The California Department of Public Health has set the limit of the amount of groups that can gather to no more than three different households.

The limit poses a compromise between allowing people to see others in person while keeping contacts limited to stop potential super-spreader events.

"It's enough to present variety, but small enough that you can stay stable with them over time," Levin said.

The fewer the number of people within a gathering, the safer the gathering is likely to be.

Hold gatherings outdoors

Counties in the purple tier, like Ventura County, are required to hold all gatherings outdoors, according to state guidelines.

Outdoor transmission of COVID-19 has been demonstrably less common than indoor transmission. Levin cited research that found outdoor transmission of the virus was 18 times less likely to occur than indoor transmission, though it was still possible.

"Does that mean once you're outdoors, you're safe and you do not need to wear a mask? No," Levin said.

COVID California:Here's how county's winter homeless shelters are adapting to COVID-19

Hold larger gatherings virtually

Gatherings that cannot take place outdoors or consist of large groups should take place virtually for safety reasons.

Limit time together to two hours max

The California Department of Public Health recommends limiting gatherings to two hours maximum in order to reduce the risk of transmission. The longer gatherings take place, whether indoors or outdoors, the higher chance for COVID-19 transmission to occur.

Wear a mask and socially distance

Masks have been shown to be one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Make sure masks have at least two layers of fabric to filter air. Masks should cover both the nose and mouth, secure at the chin and fit snugly along the sides of the face.

The Vons in Thousand Oaks on Avenida De Los Arboles has signs that you have to wear a mask when entering the store and maintain a 2 cart distance.

Public health officials recommend only removing masks during active eating and drinking, as well as attending to urgent medical needs such as taking medication. While masks are removed, people should remain 6 feet apart from everyone who is not in their household until the mask is put back on.

Avoid singing, shouting, chanting and cheering

Activities that require increased respiration, such as singing, shouting and physical exertion, produce significantly more respiratory droplets and fine aerosols. If a person infected with COVID-19 participates, the amount of virus he or she is spreading increases and poses a greater risk to others.

As a result, the California Department of Public Health discourages partaking in activities such as singing, chanting, shouting, cheering and other similar activities.

California COVID:Curfew in Ventura County to be enforced by conscience, not arrests, officials say

If people do participate in these activities, it's recommended to do so only while outdoors, to wear a face covering during it and to maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet for the duration of the activity.

Skip if you feel sick or are at high-risk

Anyone who is experiencing COVID-like symptoms is discouraged from attending any gatherings, even if they have not tested positive for COVID-19. Symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, body aches, headaches, confusion and loss of taste and smell.

Levin said people who feel sick around Thanksgiving but are not sure whether it's COVID-19 could seek out rapid testing in order to help assess whether the symptoms are COVID-related or not.

Even with all the above precautions in place, COVID-19 transmission could potentially still occur. Members of high-risk groups, such as adults over the age of 65 or those with respiratory issues, should consider avoiding gatherings entirely to prevent the risk of infection.

Learn more

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com. You can also find him on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.