As Thanksgiving approaches, health experts are warning Americans to exercise coronavirus safety throughout the holidays.
The United States surpassed more than 11 million COVID-19 cases on Sunday, as the third wave of the virus continued its uncontrolled spread, new restrictions were introduced, and Americans weighed whether and how they can celebrate Thanksgiving.
In Florida, the state's Department of Health reported more than 10,000 new COVID cases on Sunday, the highest single-day jump since July. Local residents getting tested for the virus at the Miami Beach Convention Center spoke to NBC 6 about how the pandemic was affecting their plans.
One resident, Andrea Collazo, said her huge family had made the tough call not be together for Thanksgiving this year. “Unfortunately we cannot gather,” she said.
“This is a sacrifice that we have to do to stop the spread. Thank God we have Factime and stuff that we can join each other through the Internet, and spend a little bit of time talking to each other through the internet."
Vicki Trachten Schwartz was also getting tested in Miami Beach Sunday. She said she had just flown in from Colorado, and needed to confirm she was negative before seeing family in South Florida.
She said the pandemic would not cause her to cancel her holiday plans.
“It’s not going be a big party Thanksgiving,” she noted. “It’ll probably be about eight of us at the table and we all know each other and we all feel that we trust one another.”
The City of Miami’s Thanksgiving safety guidelines suggest to have a small dinner with just people you live with, host a virtual meal with family and friends, share recipes virtually, and shop online the day after.
When it comes to the holiday parades and sport events, the city also wants residents to watch those from home.
