Should I Visit My Family or Stay Home?

Doctors and specialists have pleaded with Amercians saying that traveling can result in the rise in more cases. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci has stated that traveling alone is risky.

With the holidays approaching, it is the time to go out and be with your family. We want to break wishbones and unwrap presents with the people we love. But this year has proven to be anything but ordinary.

Dr. Fauci recommends not traveling for multiple reasons. One reason is that even if everyone wears their mask correctly- covering their nose and mouth the whole time- in those tight airports, even if one person does not, it puts everyone around them in danger.

The other risk of seeing family is the scary thought that you may be carrying the disease but you do not show any symptoms. Being asymptomatic, “plays a huge factor in why this disease keeps on spreading,” says Dr. Facui. According to Med. Stanford.edu, “estimated total number of the true asymptomatic cases at 113.3...estimated asymptomatic proportion (among all infected cases) at 17.9%...” If you went to work the whole week before

Thanksgiving and someone there was infected who you came in contact with and now you are traveling, but you feel healthy and fine, it could still put everyone at risk.

Another risk is simply being at another person's house, whether you are related or not. The CDC has said that even when you go to someone’s house you should wear a mask. This protects everyone there. But when it comes to holidays such as Thanksgiving, eating is the holiday.

That is why companies such as Zoom have taken off the time limit on free virtual meetings. This allows families and friends to still celebrate holidays together but in their own homes where there is less of a risk of becoming infected with Covid.

If traveling for the holidays the best ideas are to follow CDC guidelines which are: constantly wash your hands and wear gloves, make sure you are wearing your mask correctly (over both your nose and mouth), and check your temperature. When going long distances it is a safer bet to drive rather than go on a plane though it does take more time to get to your destination.

The holiday seasons are meant to be filled with joy and love. Even if we are apart that does not mean that we have to sacrifice seeing each other and celebrating. Although it is devastating to miss your family and friends during these times it is more important to keep them safe than putting them and yourself at risk.

Stay safe and happy holidays!!