Dr. Hinshaw offers COVID safety advice for Thanksgiving

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw spoke to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and how Albertans can stay safe while around loved ones.

Hinshaw noted that there is plenty to be thankful for this year, such as the health of loved ones, healthcare workers, teachers, and those caring for the homeless and vulnerable during these tough times.

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“Pre-COVID, we may have taken some of these things for granted, no more, and so it is natural for people to want to come together and celebrate thanksgiving with a new level of appreciation,” Hinshaw stated at the Thursday press conference.

“At the same time, we all want Thanksgiving to be a safe holiday that keeps everyone healthy.”

She noted that guidance surrounding coronavirus safety during Thanksgiving had been posted to Alberta Health’s website, and includes the following suggestions for the upcoming holiday:

• Keeping things small and within your cohort
• Ensuring space for physical distancing of people from different cohorts
• Be clear about boundaries and expectations
• Limit contacts in two weeks prior
• Stay home if you are feeling sick
• Minimize contact between people
• Have one person serve the food to reduce contact of serving utensils
• Wash hands before and after meals
• Consider having pre-portioned food, ordering takeout, or asking guests to bring their own meals

A full list of holiday safety recommendations can be found here.