Thanksgiving often means large gatherings and traveling to visit loved ones, but this year local health professionals encourage alternative means of connecting with family.

COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically over the past few months throughout the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area and across the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly discourages attending or hosting holiday gatherings that include people from other households. Dallas County Public Health Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says she’s heard some creative alternatives to a typical indoor celebration, “A lot of families are really coming up with some creative ideas. I’ve heard families that have said they’re going to decorate their machine shed, put a heater out there, and have everyone gather out there for the Thanksgiving meal. Other people are doing the virtual online thing. There are some of the virtual platforms that for Thanksgiving day are eliminating the restrictions on how many minutes you can have an online gathering for. That’s worth checking into.”

DCPH pleads for residents to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously, stating, “Personal responsibility often means personal sacrifice, and this is one of those occasions. Americans made many sacrifices in the past, and the coming holiday season will be an opportunity for this generation to put the well-being of others before personal pleasure.”