CDC issues recomendations that Americans don't travel for Thanksgiving

CDC recommends that Americans don't travel for Thanksgiving The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending against travel for Thanksgiving amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. Sara M Moniuszko USA TODAY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending against travel for Thanksgiving. 

During a press briefing Thursday, Dr. Henry Walke, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager, said the agency is "recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving period."

“The tragedy that could happen is that one of your family members is coming to this family gathering and they could end up severely ill, hospitalized or dying. And we don’t want that to happen," he said, as COVID-19 cases tick up across the country. “These times are tough, it’s been a long outbreak, almost 11 months, and we understand people are tired.”

He continued: “We understand that people want to see their family and relatives and do it as they’ve always done it. But this year we’re asking them to limit their travel.”

Walke added that Americans who do decide to travel for the holiday should do so "as safely as possible by following the same recommendations for everyday living,” including wearing a mask, staying six feet apart and washing your hands. 

As for specific Thanksgiving safety tips, the CDC recommends:

• Bringing your own food, drinks, plates, cups and utensils
• Avoiding passing by areas where food is being prepared, such as the kitchen
• Using single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets
• Using disposable items like food containers, plates and utensils. ...