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Today, despite the pandemic, millions of US families are gathering for dinner. Authorities and epidemiologists warn.
“I don’t allow anything to stop me from seeing my family,” says Jesse Lewis at the Washington, DC airport. She is on her way to Thanksgiving for her loved ones, despite warnings from experts. Millions of people do the same.
The US health agency does not recommend such a trip. The number of cases in the country has been growing exponentially for weeks. About a quarter of a million people have already died from the coronavirus in the United States, and about 2,000 are now being added every day. Many hospitals have reached their capacity limits.
Emotional tradition
Thanksgiving in the United States – even more than Christmas – is the festival that brings the whole family together across all generations. Mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, sometimes even neighbors and friends. Nobody wants to be alone on this day.
Anyone who has ever experienced Thanksgiving in the United States knows the emotional power of this festival. There is a warm atmosphere in many places. American families are often scattered across the country. But for Thanksgiving they come from all directions, it’s almost a must.
And the food: the best way to get the roast turkey, the filling and the side dishes is discussed in advance with true religious fervor. The whole vacation will be consumed. Talk about what you are grateful for this year or discuss Donald Trump. If you don’t want to talk anymore, watch the football match on TV.
Outdoor party
In the past few days and weeks, the authorities have had the thankless task of advising against the traditional family reunion. The American “Mr. Corona”, Anthony Fauci, warned one last time the day before: indoor meetings must be kept to a minimum.
I know how difficult it is to give up family tradition, but it is incredibly important.
Epidemiologists advise those who don’t want to help but move the garden party if possible, despite the autumn weather. Only people from the same family should sit close together. Experts are particularly concerned about students traveling from universities across the country. Juveniles without symptoms can involuntarily infect their older relatives.
Biden also warns
Experts receive little support from still President Donald Trump. He is largely content to traditionally hold a happy turkey by fate as a feast.
Joe Biden is different. On Wednesday he urged the people of the country to be extremely careful. He and his wife Jill would also do without the usual big family party this year and celebrate in a small group at home, with just their daughter and son-in-law. “I know how difficult it is to give up family tradition, but it’s incredibly important,” Biden said.
Follow in two weeks
The calls are definitely having an impact. According to the authorities, the travel movements of the last days are delayed compared to those of the previous year. But in an Axios / Ipsos poll, nearly 40% of people said they didn’t want to change their Thanksgiving plans despite the pandemic.
According to experts, in two or three weeks we will know how much the many family celebrations will influence the course of the pandemic. This could also provide important insights for the rest of the world. Thanksgiving turns into a macabre test drive for Christmas.
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