COVID-19 and Holidays

Hello All- It's that time again to think about the holidays this year. It's so much different than last year. My family and I will have a tailgate Thanksgiving and includes just my sister and brother-in-law. All of our kids are out of state and RI has a very high COVID-19 resurgence so we have to keep this local, per our Governor's request. We can back up our cars so that we are within voice range, have a bit of protection from any wind or snow, and have a grand ole feast. There will be no need for fancy dressing fancy or needing to make pretty food. We will be outside and can park our cars in directions that will protect us from inclement weather if needed. Oh, I can smell the stuffing and turkey already!

There is also a change in mask-wearing and what is considered "close contact" and how that affects infections. Dr. Gregory Poland explains this expertly. I really do think that this needs to be watched. It might help prevent us from getting COVID-19 or giving it to someone.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/cdc-updates-close-contact-guidelines/
What will you be doing for Thanksgiving? Will you be having a modified dinner, outside?

HI Merry -
We just had this discussion. In MN, outdoors is possible only about 1 in 10 Thanksgivings, and winter has already arrived, so probably not an option with our little guys. We will have a 2 table meal - daughter & family in dining room, our other daughter & us in living room. Food will be served out of kitchen by 1 masked person. We should be able to augment our house ventilation with an open window with an exhaust fan in another room. Then we'll mask back up and if possible, play outside.

We always do Thanksgiving with my sister and her family - depending on health, we are considering some kind of non-food, masked activity with them that weekend. They are also very careful & limited in their contacts with the world due to elder-Mom-in-law care & fragile grandson.
Sue

Thanksgiving Update
This is hard for me to write, but after discussion with our kids, and a close look at the rate of infection in the Twin Cities, we have sadly altered our Thanksgiving plans.
As the experts keep telling us, even limited indoor gatherings are becoming spreader events because so many people are either totally asymptomatic, or are pre-symptomatic. Our ICU's are, and have been at over 95% of capacity for more than a week. Our positivity rate is at 10% and climbing. We each have elevated risks due to health and/or age.
As a result, even our small family will change our plan. Unless weather permits a picnic (about a 5% chance here), we will each prepare part of the feast, then exchange offerings at the door of our home and eat separately in our own homes while chatting on Zoom. After dinner we will partake in an outdoor activity together - walk, scavenger hunt, etc. If it's raining, we will engage in a toddler-friendly game over Zoom instead. Later, after the kids are in bed, the adults - including a few cousins & my sis - will raise a glass and play a game of Farkle via Zoom.
You do what you can!
How is everyone else planning to celebrate?
Sue

@sueinmn- RI's rules have become stricter recently so I guess it will depend on the weather for us. I think that most feel the way you do, very sad and angry. Our hearts are definitely broken.

Angry & heartbroken, but trying very hard to stay as positive as I can. Some days are harder than others.
We have terrific weather this week, so are hosting 3 patio gatherings while we can. Then all the furniture will get tucked away and the pond covered before next Monday, when the next snow is forecast,
Sue

@sueinmn. Sadly this is the case with us too. Our Governor has mandated 3 households only for gathering, that effectively ruled us out. I think with the uncertainty ahead of us, it's better to be safe than sorry. We have come a long way this year, let's look ahead for better days. Hopefully next year, this will all be behind us, and we can have a bang of a party for all the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, Mother's day, Father's day, etc that we miss. I know I'm still going to give thanks to all my friends and families, and my new connect friends here who have given me support and cheers when I feel like I'm in the dumps and needed to vent. Have a great Thanksgiving to you all, no matter how you celebrate it.

Sue- Have you decided to stay in MN?

We still don't know. Waiting for reports from friends who are on the way there now.
Sue

Love your positivity sueinmn. Better days ahead for sure. I know our family won’t be gathering for Thanksgiving and may end up doing a Zoom Christmas. My nephew graduates in 2021 so that is our hope the virus will be under control by then. I work in healthcare and our hospital has now activated their surge plan as hospitalizations increase here in Northern MN. Be safe everyone.

I'm trying - some days are better then others - this week is really great. We're having Indian Summer and taking advantage by hosting 3-4 patio lunches this week before we pack up the furniture. Nothing makes me happier than the people I love!!!!

Also continuing my cleaning/giving away project. Yesterday I gifted my no-longer-used sewing machine to a person who wore hers out sewing masks and charity quilts. I don't know which of us was more delighted - especially because she also went home with a 2 boxes of no-longer-needed fabrics. And next week I should have another carful for the local charity that finds permanent housing for homeless families. Sorting through extra household supplies - nobody thinks about how much it costs to set up with all new sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, dish cloths - since we no longer host housefuls of visiting cousins with their kids, it's time to pare down.
Sue