Everyone hopes to spread the love on Thanksgiving and catch a great deal on Black Friday, but state health officials are offering advice on how not to spread or catch COVID-19 while doing so.
On Monday, Nov. 9, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) put out guidance for Thanksgiving celebrations and Black Friday sales in an attempt to make sure the holiday and shopping sprees don’t make the pandemic worse in North Carolina.
NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen suggested greatly scaling down traditional Thanksgiving get togethers.
“The best way to protect loved ones during Thanksgiving is to limit travel and gatherings with anyone who does not live in your household,” she said in a prepared statement. “If you do plan to get together, there are important steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to your family and friends.”
Right now, North Carolina is seeing high numbers of COVID-19 cases across the state, and state health officials say it’s especially important for people at a higher risk of developing complications – such as those over 65 – to be extremely careful.
State officials also suggest more testing.
“If people do plan on traveling or gathering, they should consider having a screening COVID-19 test three to four days ahead of time,” NCDHHS states in a press release. “A screening test can help someone know if they have COVID-19 even if they do not have yet have symptoms. However, a screening test can miss some infections. Furthermore, a negative test only gives you information for that point in time.”
Community testing events and other testing sites are listed online at ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place.
The standard advice everyone has heard for a half a year was also reiterated: Wear a mask; keep 6 feet distance from others and wash your hands all the time.
The release also states that anyone recently diagnosed with COVID-19 – or anyone who’s even been around a person with COVID-19 – should not host or participate in any in-person gatherings until they complete their quarantine period.
The state’s Black Friday shopping advice is no surprise: “It is strongly recommended individuals do not participate in any traditional Black Friday shopping where customers gather in large groups waiting for the store to open or are in crowded stores for extended times.”
Notice the trend? FREE! FREE Testing! Step right up and get your FREE Testing! It’s totally free, only it isn’t. John Q Taxpayer is paying dearly for each and every test. Oh but its free, the Feds are paying. Yep, there’s John Q. again carrying the burden. Its free, the State is taking care of it. Again, poor old John Q. gets the shaft. But testing is good because it generates results to identify hotspots so we can get more grant money. Poor John Q. is about broke. But it helps us push our made up narrative that certain peoples are disproportionately attacked by a virus that all humans are susceptible to during a pandemic. Poor John is giving his last dollar to keep the bovine excrement factory afloat! Poor John Q. Public needs some real help reducing his burdens.
Excellent article. Three basic rules are about all you can do. Just like any other flu virus, there is no cure for it once you have it; and Covid will run it’s course regardless of what Big Brother proposes.
We should do our best to mitigate the spread, without government by decree. Why anyone outdoors needs a mask is beyond me.
I have read that Pfizer kept their Covid vaccine a secret until after the election. I used to take three of their brand name drugs. Their pricing is flat predatory. Add them to your Bristol-Myers s&^t list.
If I lived in California, I would have Gov. Newsom over for Thanksgiving dinner, and sneeze all over his giblets.
I hope that those with higher risk (like me) get first shot at a vaccine.
1. This is not a flu virus. Is is a SARS virus.
2. How do you suggest we mitigate the spread? I’m guessing you have no issues with government decree of speed limits for the sake of public safety… why not similar expectations for our general health?
3. Interesting conspiracy theory. I’d be interested to know which Parler group shared that tidbit with you.
4. That’s pretty messed up and suggests you have some psychological tendencies in common with the worst kinds of criminals.
5. Are you rich? You’ll get first access. Do you work in health care? You’ll get first access. Otherwise, wait in line. And it’s probably for the best because this set of vaccines has unquestionably been rushed.
Just because we disagree doesn’t mean we have to be ugly about it.
What was ugly?
Dr. Cohen is lobbying feverishly for a Federal position. The rhetoric and “advice” is tainted.
Joe Biden will name her surgeon general and play doctor with her at the White House.
I’m betting Miller has a somewhat similar response in the works but here’s something to chew on:
1. He said there was no cure, it has to run its course, just like a flu virus.
2. It’s a virus. It has to run its own course. Even with vaccines, etc. It can and likely will mutate and go around again.
3. What the hell is a Parler? I had to look that one up. Facebook, Instagram, etc. is for kids. No time for social media mess. I post exclusively to the Rhino because of my love for liberals who go out of their way to read a self proclaimed conservative newspaper and then get triggered when the intended audience excercises their 1st Ammendment right and speaks their opinion. It is absolutely hilarious.
4. Criminals Suck.
5. Rich? If I were rich I wouldn’t read the Rhino, I’d have Toby read it to me.