The holidays are a special time of year for millions of Americans. After a long year filled with pandemic panic, controversial politics, and economic instability many people’s hopes for the remainder of 2020 are hinged on being able to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. To do so safely, we need COVID precautions for Thanksgiving.
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as establishing an armistice with a virus. Regardless of the time of year, it is possible for your loved ones to fall ill and even infect perfect strangers that they come into contact with. The last thing you want is for your Thanksgiving dinner to become an origin point for the virus in your community, so you really should take time to carefully consider what precautions you can take this year.
Covid Precautions for Thanksgiving
According to our nation’s leading infectious disease expert, it is vital that every family bases their Thanksgiving Day on an unbiased risk-benefit analysis. You want to see your family and enjoy that feeling of warmth that comes along with great food and love. But you need to take the risks seriously. Most of us know that the elderly have a high mortality rate when infected with Covid-19. But there are several other underlying conditions that can put your family members in danger.
Diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung problems, and any condition that compromises the immune system can make you more likely to have a serious case of Covid-19. All of this is pretty common knowledge at this point, but we tend to focus more on adults. A lot of research still has to be done, but the coronavirus appears to have a more mild effect on children. However, that doesn’t mean that children aren’t vulnerable. Children with underlying conditions can still develop severe reactions to the virus, and they can still die from it.
Children and Chronic Lung Disease
Asthma is a fairly common condition among American children. The severity of the condition varies from child to child, but it absolutely is a risk factor for Covid-19. Before you even begin to consider exposing an asthmatic child to other households, you need to speak with a doctor that specializes in pediatric pulmonary care. Using their expertise, they will evaluate the severity of the child’s asthma and provide a general risk analysis. From there your pulmonologist NYC is relying on you to take their advice and use it to keep your child safe.
Moving Forward with Holiday Plans
If you and your family decide that the benefits outweigh the potential risks, then make sure you take responsibility for that decision by making your get-together as safe as possible. Here are a few ways you can decrease the chance of spreading illness this holiday season.
- Wear Masks when in Close Proximity
- Eliminate Hugs for a few more Months
- Socially Distance Yourselves During Meal Times
- Limit the Gathering to 10 people and a Maximum of 2 Households
- Observe Local and State Guidelines
- Do Not Serve Dinner Buffet-Style
- Consider Using Virtual Tools for Family Members that Live in Viral Hot-Spots
Other Ways to Reduce Risks
In addition to following the necessary guidelines prescribed by the scientific community, you can also limit your risk by managing potential risk factors. For children with asthma, proper management is a vital component of keeping them safe. Given that the virus directly targets the respiratory system, this is the best time to involve a specialist in your child’s medical care. Visit the best allergy doctor NYC has around today.
With just a few appointments, New York City’s premiere pediatric pulmonologist, Dr. Mayank Shukla, can ensure that your child is on a treatment plan that will lower the chance of regular attacks and give them the tools for a healthier life.
