
Like everything this season, Thanksgiving will appear a different. With Covid-19 cases surging across the state, doctors are urging to keep things quaint.
“Despite the strain and isolation experienced this year, there's always something to become thankful for,” says Ellsworth Buck, V . p . of Insurance, Florida's largest independent homeowners insurance agency.
Thanksgiving is about generosity and gratitude. Just because it is different does not mean it cannot be celebrated. If you are looking for guidance on how you can safely celebrate, the Cdc and Prevention (CDC) has recommendations broken into three sections: low-risk activities, moderate risk activities and high-risk activities.
Low Risk
- Having a small dinner with only people who reside in your household
- Preparing traditional family recipes to see relatives and neighbors, particularly those at higher risk of certain illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn't involve connection with others
- Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family
- Shopping online instead of personally on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday
- Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home
Moderate Risk
- Having a small outdoor dinner with friends and family who reside in your community
- Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where individuals use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people can maintain social distancing
- Attending a little outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place
Highest Risk
- Going shopping in crowded stores right before, on, or after Thanksgiving
- Participating or just being a spectator in a crowded race
- Attending crowded parades
- Attending large indoor gatherings with people externally of your household
- Using alcohol or drugs that may alter judgment and make it harder to rehearse COVID-19 safety precautions.
Your plans rely on your level of comfort. If you plan to get together with those beyond all your family members the CDC stands out on the following:
- Wearing a mask
- Social distancing, stay six feet apart
- Washing your hands
- Share an outdoor meal
- If celebrating indoors, open a window
- Bring your own utensils, cups and plates, food and drinks
- Avoid moving in and out of an area where food is prepared
- If sharing food, have one person serve the meals and
Have a conversation with guests in advance to set expectations. You may decide this can be a year to explore new traditions.
Real Simple suggests instead of isolating yourself, go virtual. You are able to host a virtual Thanksgiving and enable as much as your bandwidth allows.
- Set a place for your computer
- Schedule a time
- Coordinate the menu or make a similar dish
- Create a decorating scheme
- Get creative with family traditions, find games online to experience together
Different can be exhilarating. Most importantly, don't let the pandemic steal your joy.
“I wish to express my appreciation to our extraordinary independent agents and their staff for his or her hard work during an unusual year. Thank you for making Insurance a success. Also, a large thanks to all of our customers. It is our honor and pleasure to serve both you and your families,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of Insurance.