Amid rising COVID-19 cases, experts warn against large gatherings for Thanksgiving

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fewer guests, social distancing and masks likely will be on the menu this Thanksgiving for many families.

And if those things aren’t on your checklist, health experts say they should be because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Jacksonville International Airport likely won’t see the hustle and bustle that typically comes with Thanksgiving travel.

AAA predicts nearly 2.8 million Floridians will travel this year, down more than 5% from last year.

The vast majority of holiday travelers will hit the road instead.

Eugenio Ramirez’s two adult daughters will be coming home for the holiday.

“My older daughter who lives in D.C. could’ve flown, and the little one who’s at school in North Carolina could’ve also flown, but instead they are driving,” he said.

Ramirez and his family look forward to Thanksgiving every year.

“That afternoon, after we finish eating, we go into the attic and bring every Christmas ornament down,” he said.

Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Mayo Clinic, said families must consider several factors when planning the holidays.

“For example, air travel versus traveling by car have differing risks," Rajapakse said. “And, depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re going to, and the rates of transmission of the virus in those settings, can affect your risk of getting infected.”

Ramirez said aside from his daughters traveling by car, they are also taking another precaution.

“My wife is on them to make sure that next week they each test for COVID,” he said.

AAA predicts 50 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving nationwide. That is a figure concerning health experts as cases continue to rise.

“We would hate to see anyone’s holiday celebration end up in the loss or illness of a loved one. And that’s really why we’re making these recommendations to everyone,” Dr. Rajapakse said.

Action News Jax Medical Expert Dr. Michelle Aquino, with Baptist, has advice for those planning on having people over or hosting out-of-town visitors.

“I think you definitely need to think about maybe having an outdoor Thanksgiving feast where people can socially distance and wear their mask,” Dr. Aquino said.

Ramirez is thankful to be with his wife and daughters this year, but he won’t be letting his guard down.

“The one thing you think is, ‘your family is clean, right?’ But you don’t know. It could be us that are asymptomatic,” he said.

Cox Media Group