Georgia Kirkendall
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has the year 2020 for the taking, but many are wondering if holidays are on the list of must-nots as well. Halloween proved to be a complete bust, so where does that leave Thanksgiving? Or even Christmas? As of recent, the virus has surged higher than ever before, with a total of 55.6 million cases worldwide. Schools are shutting down, restaurants are minimizing capacity, and districts are considering reverting to Phase 1 shutdown. With the season of thanks practically here, it can be assumed that cases are going to get a lot worse. That’s why so many health and political officials are imploring citizens to forego the family holiday.
Politics, surprisingly, has had a large impact on the virus and guidelines for people to follow. The Center for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC) should be offering clear, concrete advice for those wishing to celebrate Thanksgiving, however with the recent election, the outgoing president has restricted the health task force, resulting in a lack of formal public announcements discussing how Americans should keep safe during the winter months.
While information and advice during the spreading pandemic has been insufficient, that’s not to say families don’t understand restrictions need to be practiced during the holidays. Many who were previously planning on traveling to meet face to face with loved ones have switched their shared feasts to purely virtual. Pass the pixelated potatoes, please!
Another popular festivity that’s had to be modified is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The event that annually attracts millions will be pre recorded for Thanksgiving, with no audience in attendance. The parade will travel only one block on 34th Street, and the route will be blockaded to the public. The Rockettes and performances will occur with Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, and Ain’t Too Proud. Festive helium balloons will be pulled by utility vehicles to decrease the number of participants in the parade; this year the number of workers has been reduced from the usual 10,000 people to just 1,500. While the holiday season is definitely looking different, do not fear! Santa Claus will still be coming to town on his decorated Macy’s float, wearing a mask, of course.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/11/pandemic-thanksgiving/617119/
The Dial 