When to quarantine for Thanksgiving

Remember that the people we love can carry the virus as much as strangers. When the level of the virus is very high in the community, it is not safe to gather in person, indoors, with anyone who is not in your home bubble.

If you want to connect with other family members for an indoor Thanksgiving, you need to set aside for 14 days and then test.

CNN: Why is quarantine 14 days?

Wayne: Fourteen days is the maximum incubation time for the virus that causes Covid-19. If you quarantine for less than 14 days, you can get an infection and not know it. I’m sure none of us inadvertently want to spread the Covid-19 we love the most. Taking the test too early – before the 14-day quarantine – will not be able to pick up the infection.

CNN: What can we do during our quarantine?

Wayne: In this case, quarantine suggests avoiding others and minimizing your risk. That doesn’t mean staying indoors in your home. Getting fresh air is good and important for your physical and mental health. So it is better to walk and exercise outside. Try to stay away from others and keep a distance of at least 6-feet when out.

We know that Thanksgiving can involve a lot of cooking, and therefore grocery shopping. Going to the grocery store can also be less risky, however you should try to go during off-time and try to go only once during your 14-day period. You can also try ordering groceries or whole meals to your home.

CNN: What should we not do?

Wayne: Here are the ones that are at high risk and should be avoided during this period. Don’t rent indoor bars or rest restaurants. Avoid the gym. Most importantly: Don’t go out of your house with anyone else for anything – no dinner party, no birthday celebration or go out with someone else inside the house. If you are socializing outside the home, make sure you always keep a 6-foot distance from the other.

If you are meeting with other family members for the holiday, you should discuss what other activities would be appropriate. Many doctors’ office fees have placed a precaution on the site and there is less risk of visiting a doctor. Many workplaces have established many protocols to reduce the risk, and if you can keep at least 10-feet away from others and wear a mask at all times, the risk of going to work can be much lower.

CNN: Does everyone have to be different?

Wayne: Yes. The key is that every member of the household who wants to join must participate in the quarantine for 14 days. If one person breaks the quarantine, that person puts everyone else at their risk. This requires a lot of trust, so set that expectation in advance.

CNN: What about daycare and school?

Wayne: This is a tough one. Daycares and schools may be necessary for many families when it comes to childcare for working parents. They can be relatively low risk for transmission, especially for young children. However, there is a risk of infection, especially given the high levels of coronavirus across the country. I wouldn’t consider a family that still has a low risk of sending children to day care or school to be part of an indoor celebration. But if children now close daycare or school and then test in 14 days, they will be able to see other relatives indoors.

CNN: Can we see each other even if we don’t quarantine for 14 days?

Wayne: Yes, but you can only see them outside, with houses at least six feet apart. You can still safely host and enjoy! But don’t go inside the house all at once.

CNN: Are there any other ways to celebrate if we can’t get together with our family?

Wayne: Yes! Being safe does not mean that we should be isolated. Maybe we can’t meet in person with family. You can plan an outdoor “Friends Giving”. Bundle and bring warm blankets. Be flexible if it turns out that because of the weather we can’t celebrate Thanksgiving that day.

CNN: What if we had to travel to see the family for a holiday?

Wayne: I am less concerned about travel than pre-travel activities. The 14-day quarantine period should take place before the trip. Then do everything you can to reduce the risk while traveling.

CNN: Is driving better than flying?

Wayne: Driving will be safer than flying because you can control who is in your car. Keep the rest to a minimum. Be sure to wear a mask if you are using a public restroom and clean your hands after going out. Flying also has a relatively low risk, with only a handful of infections reported on flights where everyone wears a mask. Make sure to wear a N-95 or at least 3-ply surgical mask throughout the flight, ideally.

Nevertheless, I urge everyone to make the extraordinary journey less. Although the journey itself is less risky, I worry about people coming from all over the country, as almost every part is a coronavirus hotspot at the moment.

CNN: What about college lodge students coming home for the holidays?

Wayne: Has erupted in many colleges. Young people tend to spread asymptomatically, and returning college college students should be considered very risky.

It is not practical for students to be quarantined for 14 days before returning. In that case, they need to be quarantined once they return home. It means living in an area of ​​the home that is completely different from anyone else’s. They should not be in any indoor areas with others for 14 days. He can only socialize outside during that period.

CNN: This is a lot. Is it really necessary?

Wayne: Yes. I know that’s a lot. But we have to go through this winter. There is hope on the horizon, vaccination and therapeutic prospects next year. We need to get to that point. That means we have to take all these precautions. Wear a mask. Physical distance. Wash our hands. Avoid indoor gatherings.

We have already made many sacrifices. We can get together, this winter.