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Weighing odds of pandemic risk during holidays?

Subhead
(Love them enough not to put them at risk)
Lead Summary
By
Lori Sorenson, editor

A group text among my sisters typically makes the rounds during holidays: “When and where will we gather?” and "Who’s bringing what for food?”
But this year we’re asking, “Should we gather?” And if so, “How can we safely gather?”
There are five of us sisters, and with our growing families we’re about two dozen people. We love each other dearly, and with both of our parents recently passing, this year, more than ever, we need to be together.
… Ideally all five of us, preferably at the farm, in the kitchen and around the table where a lifetime of family memories have been made.
We’re yearning for a traditional holiday gathering close to each other (we’re huggers), talking over each other (we’re loud) and visiting nose to nose in side conversations in order to hear over the din.
All of these things of course, are no-nos in a pandemic, as are shared serving utensils and carrot sticks that no doubt get double-dipped.
Which is why the sister text thread looks different this Thanksgiving.
The otherwise like-minded women are showing their unique approaches to COVID-19.
One of us has had cancer and needs to protect her immune system. One works in the hospitality industry and fears bringing outside exposures to her loved ones. One sees the danger on a practical level, “If it’s OK to shop in a busy Walmart, it’s OK to see each other.” Another is married to a COVID denier who won’t wear a mask.
One of us circles through all these approaches, depending on the day and who she’s talking to.
This same one broached the subject of delayed Thanksgiving gathering … or scaled back (maybe just the five sisters - not all 25 of us) to reduce risk. She sent a carefully worded message to this effect to her fellow sisters and awaited response.
Crickets.
For days.
Were they conspiring against her? Were they proceeding with Thanksgiving without her?
She soon regretted sending the message. What was she thinking? Of course we’ll gather for Thanksgiving. Pandemic or no pandemic. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
Someone could die, that’s what … and circling approaches continue.
It’s unlikely, but possible, that someone could end up in the hospital from complications of the virus contracted at our family gathering.
When the group conversation finally resumed, it centered on playing the odds.
Odds are pretty good that one of us in our group will be exposed prior to our gathering and unknowingly spread it around. Odds are that several would get sick, but odds are they would have only mild symptoms.
We should gather for Thanksgiving in a large open space. Wear masks when not eating and keep six feet between us.
What are the odds that’s how it will play out in a family of huggers?
As of this writing, we’re still weighing the odds and trying to picture what a COVID Thanksgiving should look like.
Meanwhile COVID cases are multiplying exponentially.
What are the odds that will change in time for the holidays?
Odds are too many families will find out the hard way.
Maybe this Thanksgiving we should be thankful for our loved ones and love them enough to keep them safe.

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