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Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. And while you’re likely looking forward to your favorite potato side dishes and other great holiday recipes, Thanksgiving might look different during the coronavirus pandemic, especially if you’re used to hosting a large get-together. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are some activities that can act as a safe alternative to a traditional big Thanksgiving family dinner. This list ranks your favorite Turkey Day activities by how risky they are: low, moderate or high.
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There are plenty of safe ways to make sure you get your tryptophan fix this year. According to the CDC, the following activities put you and your loved ones at low risk for contracting the virus this Thanksgiving.
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While you may not be able to host a large holiday dinner this year, the CDC reports that enjoying a small dinner with the people that live inside your household is a low-risk activity.
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One small act of kindness you can do during the coronavirus pandemic and Thanksgiving is drop off food for a loved one or neighbor. As long as it’s a no-contact drop-off, it’s considered low risk by the CDC.
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Video chatting with friends and family is a great way to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic, especially during the holidays. This Thanksgiving, cook the same dishes as your family and host a virtual dinner, it’s been deemed a safe activity by the CDC.
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Sure, Thanksgiving is a time to make all of your favorite casseroles and stuffing recipes, but it’s also a notable holiday for shopping. Instead of hitting the mall for Black Friday this year, the CDC recommends online shopping.
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Rather than watching football from the stands this year, the CDC suggests that you tune in from home. The low-risk activity can still be enjoyable, especially if your table is filled with delicious game day recipes.
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While most low-risk activities involve staying home with members of your household for Thanksgiving, the following activities open things up a bit. According to the CDC, these activities will put you at moderate risk for contracting the virus.
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If the weather permits, the CDC reports that hosting a small outdoor dinner party puts you at moderate risk for contracting coronavirus during Thanksgiving.
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If you’re visiting your favorite pumpkin patches or apple orchards this Thanksgiving, it’s considered a moderate risk as long as people are using hand sanitizer before touching anything, wearing face masks and social distancing.
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If making stadium food at home just doesn’t cut it, the CDC reports that attending a small outdoor sports event poses a moderate risk to you for catching the virus, so long as safety precautions are in place.
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According to the CDC, you should avoid these activities this Thanksgiving to mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
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There are plenty of ways to have a socially distanced fall season, but going shopping in crowded stores isn’t one of them. The CDC considers that to be a high-risk activity.
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Running a 5K on Thanksgiving morning is a tradition for many families, but similar to attending a crowded football game or store, the CDC recommends avoiding crowded races. The activity is considered high risk.
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Although the Macy’s Day parade is an American tradition, the CDC reports that attending a crowded parade of any kind will put you at high risk for contracting the coronavirus.
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Pumpkin-flavored cocktails are a joy come Thanksgiving, but despite this fact, the CDC considers engaging with drugs or alcohol during the holidays to be a high-risk activity, as it can cloud judgment.
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Thanksgiving is a time to surround yourself with family and friends, but unfortunately, during the coronavirus pandemic, attending a large indoor gathering is considered a high-risk activity. If your loved ones are putting pressure on you to visit, follow this helpful guide for how to talk to friends and family about attending holiday gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.
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