Most GA Families To Stay Home For Thanksgiving: Patch Survey
GEORGIA — It's been a challenging year with the coronavirus pandemic changing the way we work, live and socialize. And the holidays are looking no different. Earlier this week, Patch asked Georgia readers how they plan to spend Thanksgiving — and most said they plan to stay home or celebrate within their own households.
But some readers balked at suggestions to skip a large celebration and said it will be business as usual this year.
Patch's survey, which appeared in questionnaire form Wednesday on Patch, is not meant to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.
Georgia posted on Tuesday its highest single-day total of new COVID-19 cases in more than three months.
In its daily report, Georgia's health department reported 3,603 newly confirmed cases Tuesday of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The last time Georgia reported anywhere near that many infections was on Aug. 12, with 3,531 newly confirmed cases. The last time Georgia exceeded that number was a spike of 4,376 new infections on Aug. 8, near the height of the summer surge.
Experts say the coronavirus is airborne and that tiny droplets containing the virus can linger indoors for hours as aerosols, making indoor events such as Thanksgiving dinner especially risky, since guests have to remove their masks to eat and drink.
More than 700 Georgia Patch readers responded, and nearly half of them — about 49.4 percent — said they plan to spend Thanksgiving with their own household only. Even more readers said they won't visit friends or relatives this holiday.
One responder said, "Let’s keep everyone safe so that we have many more Thanksgivings to celebrate with all our families."
But 40.8 percent said they will reject Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and spend the holiday with family or friends outside their household.
One commenter said they are celebrating normally.
"Strip people of all their rights so they can control you like a little puppet," they wrote. "It blows my mind that there are folks out there believing this & won’t research and use their own common sense. PEOPLE wake up & fight for your rights!"
More than 3 percent said they plan to have a virtual gathering with family or friends. Others who responded said they plan to spend Thanksgiving alone or with their own household plus their children who are traveling from college or out of state.
More than 70 percent of Patch readers who responded said they do not plan to travel to see family or friends for Thanksgiving. Some readers — 19.4 percent — said they plan to travel locally for Thanksgiving, and 10.2 percent said they still plan to travel out of state.
Few Patch readers planned to follow CDC suggestions to have an outdoor Thanksgiving gathering or keep the windows open for added ventilation. More than 51 percent said they don't plan to do either of those things, and 21.7 percent of those who responded said they would host Thanksgiving outdoors, weather permitting. Just more than 26 percent said they would keep the windows open if weather permitted.
One responder already had a plan decided, writing they "are celebrating outdoors, masked when not eating, at separate picnic tables per household, with separate servings for each table. If weather is a no-go, we won't get together."
The weather forecast in the metro Atlanta area on Thanksgiving is mostly sunny, with a 30 percent chance of showers and a high near 66 degrees.
Most Georgia Patch readers — more than 65 percent — agreed that those who host or attend Thanksgiving celebrations with those outside of their households should wear masks. More than 21 percent said no to masks, and 13 percent weren't sure whether they should be worn.
Georgia readers also balked at undergoing a coronavirus test before gathering, with more than 81 percent saying no.
Despite refusal to test, the vast majority of Georgia Patch readers — more than 71 percent — said they are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could contribute to a surge of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. More than 22 percent said they aren't concerned, and the rest were unsure how they felt.
"I believe that individuals should think of others before making their plans," one person commented. "'Others' include not only family members but healthcare professionals who will bear the burden if COVID-19 numbers spike. My physician brother in Chicago is very concerned about his and other providers' abilities to care for the potential volume of patients. They are at extreme risk, even more so if worn down with fatigue."
Most Patch readers who chose to leave a comment said they and others should take precautions this Thanksgiving. Here's a sampling of comments from those who responded:
We take precautions to save lives, but if we stop doing everything that make life worth living, what are we really saving?
If you are sick stay home. If you are afraid stay home or wear a mask or sit apart. I do not trust the numbers for accuracy. The rules have changed too many times. Too much of a political agenda.
I'm drastically changing my plans to not celebrate with out-of-state parents or local friends. I hope to celebrate a combo Thanksgiving/Christmas for just one night between the holidays, out-of-state, with a proper quarantine and test prior to going.
I will not be with family this year.
Instead of having family and some friends we are just having our daughter and son in law so we can social distance around our dining room table
This is the first time my husband and I will not celebrate with our extended family. Our dinner normally at thanksgiving consist of 20+ people, this year it will be different. This year only 3, our immediate household. Very sad.
I do not think there should be rules for holidays in your own home.
We, my husband and I, will be having Thanksgiving alone. Normally, we would be having it with family and friends.
We will not travel to see my in-laws, and my mother is too afraid to come to my house to eat. I will bring leftovers to her. We don't plan to get COVID tests since we won't see anyone. It's going to be a sad, small Thanksgiving, but we do get to decorate for Christmas early.
My husband and I alone - we will prob have zoom chats with family members who are all doing the same thing. It isn’t my favorite thing but it is better than continuing to overload our healthcare providers.
Public health must be and remain the top priority.
We aren't changing a thing for either Thanksgiving or Christmas.
We are celebrating normally. If someone is sick, They will stay away from the gathering!
When you test more people, the cases will rise. Only be concerned, if deaths rise.
Ensure that those most susceptible to the virus (elderly, underlying conditions, obese, etc.) take the most precautions. Do all of the things we were taught as kids - washing our hands, covering our mouth, etc. If someone feels sick then stay home and let someone bring you some dang good leftovers like the fruitcake no one ate.
I know it's hard for people to spend this holiday without their families but I think it's really important for everyone to stay vigilant and stay safe.
This article originally appeared on the Roswell Patch
