Thanksgiving In MD: Take Patch Survey On Plans During Coronavirus

MARYLAND — Thanksgiving plans this year may be changing because of the coronavirus. Local, state and federal leaders have discouraged large gatherings and encouraged people to take precautions if they are spending the holiday with those outside their household.

"Try not to gather in groups larger than 10 if at all possible," said Jinlene Chan, acting deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of Health.

While she usually spends Thanksgiving with her in-laws and extended family, Chan shared that 2020 would be different, speaking at Wednesday's meeting of the state's joint COVID-19 task force.

"We are not doing that this year," Chan said. "If that is something that families can practice — celebrate in a different way — we would certainly advise to limit the number of social gatherings that they attend."

As coronavirus cases have seen an uptick around the country, Maryland health officials issued a travel advisory urging people not to travel out of state to areas with average weekly positivity rates over 10 percent or case rates greater 20 per 100,000 residents.

"It is an advisory and not an order," Chan said, stating the governor indicated there would be no enforcement.

The Maryland Department of Health also issued an advisory against gatherings of more than 25 individuals in one location.

This week Gov. Larry Hogan introduced new restrictions to keep the pandemic from getting worse as coronavirus-related hospitalizations doubled the first 17 days of November in Maryland, where some hospitals are nearing capacity. Statewide, bars and restaurants will be closed except for carryout and delivery from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and visitation is restricted at hospitals and nursing homes.

The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is with people in the same household, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For those who celebrate with others, the CDC has guidance to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19, such as wearing a mask except when eating and drinking. It advises staying 6 feet from those outside one's household, especially people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

Other suggestions include small outdoor meals with family and friends, limiting the number of guests, offering single-use options like plastic utensils, and opening windows for indoor meals.

With this health guidance in mind, we want to know what our readers in Maryland are planning for the Thanksgiving holiday. Does the pandemic affect how you will celebrate? What kind of measures are you planning to keep family and friends safe?

The survey is anonymous and will be only used to show collective results. It will be open through noon on Friday, Nov. 20. A story based on the results will be shared after the survey closes.

If you cannot see the survey below, click here.