COVID Task Force Urges Small Thanksgiving Celebrations

Thanksgiving is upon us this week — a time for gratitude and delicious traditions. This year’s celebrations will be different as we take the necessary steps to ensure we have many more years ahead to celebrate with family and friends. To that end, we wanted to share with you some tips for a safe Thanksgiving from the CDC and other relevant advice to safely celebrate this holiday.

According to Gov. Bullock’s new directives, gatherings of more than 25 people are not allowed and gatherings of multiple households are not recommended.

Try some of the following ideas instead of the usual large Thanksgiving dinner:

•Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household.

•Preparing food for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others.

•Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family.

•Watching sports events, parades and movies from home.

We understand it is increasingly difficult to not be able to visit family members, especially those in care facilities. Currently, the COVID positivity rate in Roosevelt County is too high to safely allow visitors.

Similarly, we want to remind everyone that you cannot test out of quarantine. If you are placed on quarantine, you must remain on quarantine for the full 14 days, whether or not your test comes back negative. Tests are only accurate for the day you are tested and all precautions must be taken to ensure you do not spread the virus while you are at risk of doing so.

Continue to stay strong so we can protect our elders and others vulnerable to COVID-19.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and be safe.

As we continue to work together, remember to get your flu shot. COVID-19 testing continues to be available from your health care provider, as well as at both IHS locations. If you have questions about COVID-19, email: covid-19taskforce@rooseveltcounty. org. For more information, visit the RCHD Facebook page or covid19.mt.gov.