We’ve heard it time and time again – we need to mask up, maintain social distance, wash our hands and avoid large gatherings. However, as evidenced by our ever-growing case numbers, COVID-19 fatigue has set in across our community.
These cases are growing despite the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who have died from this virus. Every day, families are mourning loved ones who have died from COVID-19. Health care professionals across the country continue to be passionate about urging people to protect themselves and others because they are witnessing this heartbreak firsthand.
The idea of social bubbles has given us a false sense of security. The size of our bubbles has grown as people become weary of feeling isolated. And the larger the bubble, the more likely people are to come into close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive but asymptomatic. This is one way COVID-19 spreads from bubble to bubble and across entire communities.
Unfortunately, this is our reality right now. Our public health officials have confirmed that COVID-19 will continue to be a significant issue as we plan for the holiday season.
Therefore, we need to act now and take bold steps to save lives right here in our communities. That means it’s time to rethink Thanksgiving.
The decision to protect your loved ones is simple, although it may feel difficult:
- Consider a smaller gathering with only your immediate household.
- If you feel strongly about including loved ones outside your household, consider gathering outdoors.
We’ve seen the damage COVID-19 can cause as we gather together, and Canada provides a cautionary tale specifically for this upcoming holiday. COVID-19 case counts are climbing across Canada, even in areas under new restrictions. Canadian officials point to their Thanksgiving holiday, which took place on the second Monday of October, as the reason for the spike.
Imagine the loved ones you’d have around your Thanksgiving table. Observing a holiday differently now is a small price to pay to ensure you can celebrate with them in the future.
This Thanksgiving, let’s all rethink our plans. Let’s put the safety of others first as an act of love and gratitude for everyone we care about. We must also continue to wear our masks and practice all the tried and true safety measures we know to be effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19. If not for ourselves, then let’s do it for the sake of those we love.
The time to make a change is now.
Stay updated on what Mercy Health is doing related to COVID-19.
