Aside from focusing on a heart healthy Thanksgiving, there’s also the serious matter of a global pandemic to consider. WakeMed’s Infection Prevention Specialist Jessica Dixon, MPA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, offers some guidance as we prepare for the upcoming holiday.
Dixon starts by saying that for families who are fully-vaccinated without anyone at high-risk, it’s fairly reasonable to think you could have a relatively ‘normal’ holiday. “For everyone else, I recommend doing a personal “risk assessment” before making plans to gather with others during the holidays,” explains Dixon. “Start by evaluating whether you’re at high risk and if you and/or your loved ones are vaccinated. Plan how to spend the holiday (indoors vs. outdoors, masked vs. unmasked, etc.) – and then make the decision you believe is best for you and your family.”
With that said, here are some considerations to help you make this very personal decision.
What is everyone’s vaccination status?
It’s clear that those who are vaccinated have a lower risk of transmitting COVID-19 and/or becoming critically-ill if infected. If you or your loved ones aren’t vaccinated (including children who may not be eligible and/or not yet vaccinated), you may want to be more careful.
How will you gather?
Gathering indoors comes with higher risk, as does bringing together a larger group of people. If you have at-risk or unvaccinated loved ones, you may want to consider limiting the size of your group, reducing your time indoors and wearing masks when you’re not eating or drinking. If you’re indoors, take steps to improve ventilation (opening windows, doors, etc.) that can reduce the risk of transmission.
Where will you be?
Different regions or areas of the country will always have varying degrees of risk. You can check the CDC maps to determine the level of COVID-19 transmission, percentage of positive tests, and/or vaccination rates to get an idea of the risk in a specific geographic area. For some, this information can be helpful in making an informed decision.
Is everyone healthy?
During a pandemic, even a minor case of the sniffles, a scratchy throat, or a bad headache should be reason for pause. Talk to your
loved ones ahead of time to set expectations about any symptoms that may arise before your gathering – particularly if you will have high-risk or unvaccinated attendees. While it can be an emotional decision to change plans, it’s important to protect yourself and the people you love most.
Should anyone get tested?
COVID-19 testing before gathering can provide peace of mind for high-risk family members. Discuss whether or not your Thanksgiving group would prefer everyone to get tested before turkey day. If testing is preferred, our team recommends a PCR test either Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving to allow adequate time for processing. Remember that even if your test is negative on Monday – if you develop symptoms Wednesday or Thursday, it’s still best not to gather.
What else should we consider?
Other strategies that can help reduce the risk of transmission include frequent hand-washing and assigning one person to serve the meal to reduce sharing of utensils.
Regardless of what you decide, WakeMed wishes you and your family a happy Thanksgiving holiday!
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