By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
(Nov. 24, 2020) — With the Thanksgiving holiday drawing near, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning to the public to avoid traveling. While not a mandate, meaning free travel will remain available to any and all Americans pending regional restrictions, the CDC heavily recommends members of the public who can avoid travel to do so, citing exponential growth of the virus in many parts of the country.
If traveling, the CDC recommends wearing masks in all public places and on public transportation, social distancing when possible, and washing hands frequently. It also advises anyone not living in a household at least two weeks before the holiday stay in a separate area of the house with a designated bathroom, if possible, and to wear masks while indoors. Other recommendations to limit viral spread include guests bringing their own food, drinks and plates; offering disposable food containers; avoiding congregations in kitchens and other busy areas; hosting gatherings outside, with few people invited; and discussing mitigation efforts with guests ahead of time.
Traveling Safely by Car for The Holiday
If you are traveling by car this Thanksgiving, there are mitigation steps that can reduce or limit your chance of catching or spreading COVID-19. If you or anyone in your family falls ill in the next week, cancel plans, and keep an eye on infection rates in the region you plan to visit. Prepare your car in advance by getting it serviced or having an emergency kit. A first-aid kit and high-quality masks are also musts, as well as hand sanitizer if possible. If driving, planning your route to limit stopping is key; the fewest gas, food or bathroom breaks possible will limit potential vectors of exposure. If traveling with individuals outside of your immediate quarantine bubble, everyone should wear masks, with cracked windows for increased ventilation if possible. Once you arrive, take precautions, especially if individuals you may see are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Visiting Loved Ones in Long-Term Care Communities this Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, health officials are reminding residents about the current guidance when visiting a loved one in a long-term care facility. The federal government has directed that nursing homes that are free of positive COVID-19 cases for the previous 14 days be open for in-person visitation with residents. Right now, Connecticut is currently experiencing higher community-based transmission levels of COVID-19 and this could increase the risk of that with in-person visitation. To lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission, here are examples of ways you can celebrate with your loved one this holiday season:
- Low risk: Celebrate virtually with your loved one using methods such as Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Google Duo. You can also drop off a meal for them to enjoy.
- Low-medium risk: Visit your loved one at their residence. Bring a favorite Thanksgiving food or a holiday treat that meet individualized needs while, following safety guidelines including mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing. The risk level of a visit to the facility or residence depends on the number of visitors and the potential exposure to COVID-19 that any of the visitors may have had.
- Medium-high risk: Bring your loved one home to celebrate with just your household, following safety guidelines including mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing, and frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces. For two weeks prior to your holiday gatherings, limit exposure to COVID19 by avoiding indoor settings with people you don’t live with where you cannot socially
Zoom Pauses 40-Minute Limit for Thanksgiving
Zoom announced it will lift its timed meeting limit on Thanksgiving for families. The 40-minute limit that is usually placed on its free meetings will be lifted globally on November 26 so family gatherings don’t get cut short. This announcement comes after the CDC updated guidance on small gatherings during the holiday season to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Local Food Pantries Seeking Donations
This week, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, we must remember that many in our communities are struggling, especially considering the continued risks of COVID-19. If you can, please consider making a donation to a local food bank or pantry. Some aspects of donating may have changed due to COVID-19 precautions; please check websites, linked below, to see if anything is different.
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries is an interfaith service with food pantries located in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Old Lyme and East Lyme and meal sites in those towns, excluding East Lyme, as well as Essex, Centerbrook, Deep River and Chester. You can make monetary donations online, as well as volunteer to donate your time serving others or learn where to donate food, at its website.
The Haddam Social Services Emergency Food Bank provides assistance to new clients for three weeks, then on a monthly basis if a family still needs help. To donate, please visit its website or visit Haddam Social Services at 11 Jail Hill Road in Haddam.
East Haddam’s Food Bank is located in the lower level of Grange Hall at 488 Town Street in East Haddam and operates every Tuesday, with food donations accepted on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Additionally, donation bins are located at Liberty Bank in Moodus and the East Haddam and Moodus post offices, with further assistance provided by local churches. Financial donations can also be sent to the East Haddam Food Bank at PO Box 572, 387 East Haddam/Moodus Road in Moodus, CT with zip code 06469.
