Keep Thanksgiving Virtual Or Within Own Household In IL: CDC

ILLINOIS — The best way to keep yourself and your family safe during the worsening coronavirus pandemic is to limit Thanksgiving celebrations to virtual gatherings or gatherings within your own household, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With more than 10.5 million COVID-19 virus cases and over 242,000 deaths in the U.S. as of Friday, plus several days of record-setting cases in Illinois, gathering with the extended family is not a good idea, health officials said.

In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a stay-at-home recommendation — not an order, though that may be coming — for the next three weeks as cases continue to rage across the state. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has also issued a stay-at-home advisory for the city for the next month. Residents are urged to work from home if they can and avoid leaving the home for nonessential trips.

On Friday, a stay-at-home advisory was also issued in suburban Cook County.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people," the CDC said. "Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. ... Unfortunately, the COVID-19 epidemic is worsening, and small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases."

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Instead of the traditional family gathering, the CDC recommends keeping celebrations within one's household with those who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But that also means potentially excluding students who are currently away at college, according to the CDC.

"People who do not currently live in your housing unit, such as college students who are returning home from school for the holidays, should be considered part of different households," the CDC said.

If you do gather

"If you do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, take steps to make your celebration safer," health experts said. Those steps include wearing a face mask with two or more layers; staying at least 6 feet away— about two arm lengths — from people who do not live with you; and washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and keeping hand sanitizer handy.

For people who are attending a gathering, the CDC recommends that you bring your own food, drinks, dinnerware and utensils; avoid going in and out of areas where food is being prepared or handled; and use single-use options for things such as salad dressing and condiments and disposable items such as food containers, plates and utensils.

The CDC also suggests having a small outdoor meal with family and friends, limiting the number of guests, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and items between uses, and having guests bring their own food and drink.

While Thanksgiving weather in Illinois can be on the chillier side, the agency said that, if celebrating indoors, people should make sure to open windows.

Additionally, the host of the gathering should have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.

If you intend to travel for the holiday, the CDC said to check travel restrictions before you go and get a flu shot before leaving. Keep in mind the influenza vaccine takes about two weeks to take effect.

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You should also wear a face mask in public settings and on public transportation, and stay at least 6 feet away from people who aren't in your household. Washing hands and using hand sanitizer is also urged.

'Healthy Holidays To You' in Illinois

In addition to the state's COVID-19 holiday safety guidance, the governor also announced a new seasonal advertising campaign called "Healthy Holidays to You."

With riffs on holiday songs such as "if you're going to jingle, jingle 6 feet apart" and "Over the Wi-Fi and through the Zoom to Grandmother's house we go," the ads will be featured on billboards, on television, online and in print as part of the "All in Illinois" public awareness campaign.

"If you do choose to have a small, in-person Thanksgiving, the safest way to do it is to have every single person in attendance quarantine, or come close to it, for the two weeks prior, so that would start (Thursday, Nov. 12)," Pritzker said.

"This is the moment to step up and get it right. Winter is coming," Pritzker said earlier this week. "We're running out of time, and we're running out of options."

How do you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year? Tell us in the comments.

Michael Woyton, Patch Staff, contributed to this article