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I asked five physicians, who are my friends about how they are personally handing meeting with their families for Thanksgiving dinner.

Dr Shantala Sonnad, a family medicine specialist, stated “I have told every patient the same thing. I say to them “I know you love your family-show them how much by NOT travelling or visiting them if they are not in your current bubble of safety.

Suppose my patients are insistent or must travel. In that case, I recommend both parties quarantine 14 days before seeing one another and plan on getting tested before travel, ensuring adequate time to receive results. I remind them that tests are not foolproof, and due to false-negative rates, a negative test does not mean they still cannot infect others. Ideally, the Thanksgiving celebration should be held outdoors as well, as infectious particles disperse much easier in the open air, which decreases infectivity. 

 The bottom line is-one will never regret being as safe as possible. We have to do everything we can to keep our loved ones safe and healthy. “

Dr. Teresa Foster, a family medicine specialist, stated “I’m telling people that Governor Cuomo is recommending a limit of 10 people and being careful if you have a returning college student.  Consider having college student tested.  If they choose to gather, then make the gathering SHORT and continue to wear masks.   I also am discussing the rules in California where they are allowed no more than three households to gather under the same roof.  This is another way to look at family risk factors.  I am also telling them that I am forgoing a family gathering with my family as we are too spread out, and my mom is 86 years old.”

Dr. Eric Stamberg, a family medicine specialist, stated “I am recommending that they limit gatherings as much as possible.  If people are from different dwellings, I also think they should get tested 5-7 days before the holiday.”

Dr. Nicholas Reynaldo, an orthopaedic spinal surgeon, stated “This thanksgiving my family is staying isolated by local families. My mother-in-law just had hip surgery, and we are isolating our local family from our extended relatives. We are using an abundance of caution this year to protect all the people in our family.” 

Dr. Ken Hansraj, myself, an orthopaedic spinal surgeon, noted “In my own family, we were set to meet in a large open home with ample space on decks. We were planning to sit 6 feet apart, serve personal meals, and not use family-style servings. We planned to socially distance and open all windows for the use of fresh air. We encouraged the mask to use when not eating. Unfortunately, last week, my nephew was treated for Covid-19 and was hospitalized for two days. Now we are planning to spend time within our local family and connect all families by Zoom.”