NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its guidelines for gatherings this Thanksgiving.According to the CDC, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you must travel, be informed of the risks involved.The CDC has broken down the guidelines into the sections: lower risk, moderate risk, and high risk.
Parades and other large gatherings are considered high risk, the CDC says.
Other high-risk activities include going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving, participating or being a spectator at a crowded race, and attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household.
The CDC also warns against using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors.
Moderate risk activities include having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community. Attending a small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place is also considered a moderate risk activity.
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When visiting pumpkin patches or orchards, you can lower your risk by using hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks, and maintain social distancing.
Lower risk activities include having a small dinner with only people who live in your household, preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn't involve contact with others.
The CDC recommends having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family, shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday, and watching sports events, parades, and movies from home.Macy's announced its plans to "reimagine" the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in November amid the coronavirus pandemic.
