LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a Thanksgiving message to the city Thursday morning, wishing everyone celebrating a happy and healthy holiday.
"This year I know we give special thanks for the opportunity to safely gather around a table with our loved ones once again," Garcetti said, acknowledging that it's been a long 18 months since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
"While we keep our plates full of turkey and stuffing and other great food — we also acknowledge the heavy toll of the last 18 months," He said.
"But fortunately, L.A. is resilient. Angelenos are compassionate, which is how I know that people around Los Angeles will be rolling up their sleeves, getting to work to make a difference this weekend."
Garcetti's comes as L.A. County continues to experience "substantial community transmission of COVID-19" according to the Department of Public Health, which is encouraging people who choose to gather to do so with safety in mind.
"Unvaccinated people are at higher risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 to others, creating additional risk for holiday gatherings where not all attendees are fully vaccinated," the department said in a statement.
"Public Health recommends if you're gathering with anyone at higher risk of severe illness or who is not fully vaccinated, celebrate safely outdoors as much as possible, wear masks when indoors and keep your distance while eating/drinking, or even consider getting together virtually."
In addition to gathering safely, avoid crowded places and wear your mask when in crowded outdoor settings. If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, follow all local and national public health vaccination, testing, and quarantine guidelines.
The department recommends the following for safe gatherings among unvaccinated or high-risk people:
-Get vaccinated now or as soon as possible (you are only considered fully protected two weeks after a complete COVID-19 vaccine dose)
-Avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas
-Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth when gathering with others, especially if you or they are not fully vaccinated or are at increased risk of severe illness if they get infected
-Keep distance while eating unless everyone is fully vaccinated.
-Take a COVID-19 viral test before joining others if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or have been in crowded indoor places in the past two weeks.
-Stay home if you are sick, have symptoms, or test positive.
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