Limit Thanksgiving Gatherings, Cuomo Advises: 'Don't Be A Turkey'

LONG ISLAND, NY — As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and numbers of coronavirus cases continue to spike, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a message for residents: "Don't be a turkey."

Cuomo added that he believes: "You will see a tremendous spike after Thanksgiving. This living room spread is the new problem."

Individuals hoping to gather with their families will say, "'You can't tell me, 'Don't socialize with my family,'" Cuomo said. "It's going to happen because it's human behavior."

Cuomo set new restrictions recently stating that indoor gatherings at private homes can be comprised of no more than 10 people; bars, restaurants and gyms must close at 10 p.m.

His mother said she wanted to gather with Cuomo and his siblings; family members, many think, are believed to be "safe," he said. "'No, Mom, we can't do that,'" he said. "Your family sounds safe, your home sounds safe, your dining room table at Thanksgiving sounds safe. You think, 'I'll be safe.' No, you won't be safe. It's an illusion. It's a dangerous situation."

He added: "You know what love is on Thanksgiving? I love you so much and I'm so thankful for you that I'm not going to see you."

Cuomo acknowledged that those restrictions on home gatherings are hard to enforce. Many will leave bars and congregate at homes, he said. "It's very hard to police. Don't invade privacy. But if you see it, stop it."

On Wednesday, positivity rates in the state's micro-cluster areas was 4.7 percent; the statewide positivity rate without micro-cluster zones was 3.1 percent; and the state positivity rate with micro-cluster zones included was 3.4 percent, Cuomo said. A total of 35 people died over the past 24 hours; and 2,200 are currently hospitalized, with 423 in ICU and 192 intubated, Cuomo said. The statewide's seven-day rolling average was 2.97 percent.

Long Island's positivity rate stands at 3.2 percent, he said.

Currently, Cuomo said, New York has the fourth lowest positivity rate in the nation, with other states surging. South Dakota, he said, has a positivity rate of 56 percent.

New York was at its highest positivity rate on April 8, at 46 percent, Cuomo said.

Numbers are higher in western New York, Cuomo said, because he believes when New York City and Long Island saw spiking rates in the spring, those numbers "weren't real" to those in other parts of the state and nation. "There can be a sense of denial that we are immune from this," he said. "They didn't think it was a real problem eight months ago and they didn't take precautions and adapt their behavior and now it's real. Western New York never lived the pain of COVID's wrath."

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated celebration guidelines, including having a small outdoor meal with family and friends, limiting the number of guests, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and items between use and having guests bring their own food and drink. Since Thanksgiving in New York can be on the chillier side, the agency said that, if celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.

On Tuesday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone also warned against Thanksgiving celebrations as he announced a new cluster in Riverhead.