During the weekend leading up to Thanksgiving, more than two million travelers flocked to U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that travel reached its peak over this pre-holiday weekend, with a staggering two-day tally of individuals navigating through airports, all while the pandemic continues to pose serious health risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued stark guidelines regarding Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations, as the U.S. grapples with a surge in daily COVID-19 cases. The CDC cautioned that “travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19,” urging individuals to consider canceling their plans to better protect themselves and their communities this year. Nevertheless, many are opting to disregard these warnings, traveling to connect with family and friends regardless.
November 20th and 21st saw the busiest airport traffic since mid-March, leaving those adhering to state mandates and healthcare professionals, who are tirelessly caring for COVID-19 patients, understandably frustrated. A viral video from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport illustrated just how crowded the scene was.
On November 21st, Johns Hopkins University reported a record high of 195,542 new COVID-19 cases across the U.S., bringing the total number of deaths to over 256,000. Airlines maintain that enhanced cleaning practices, the introduction of hospital-quality air filters, and mask mandates contribute to safe air travel during these unprecedented times. However, these gatherings for Thanksgiving may very well become super-spreader events, exacerbating the already dire situation.
CDC officials are urging travelers to reconsider their Thanksgiving plans. “We’ve seen over a million new cases in the last week. If you show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, we strongly recommend you do not travel,” advised Erin Sauber-Schatz, head of the CDC’s community intervention task force, during an interview with ABC News.
Henry Walke, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager, empathized with the public’s longing for family gatherings but emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety this year. As the nation faces a critical shortage of healthcare staff — with over 1,000 hospitals identified as critically understaffed — the implications of these travel decisions could be profound.
While it’s challenging to forgo holiday traditions and family visits, the choices made now could lead to increased fatalities and further disruptions across the country. For the latest and most accurate information about COVID-19, we encourage readers to consult local health departments, the CDC, and the World Health Organization.
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Summary:
Over Thanksgiving weekend, despite significant COVID-19 warnings and guidelines from health authorities, more than two million Americans chose to travel by plane, resulting in crowded airports. The CDC has urged individuals to reconsider their travel plans to help mitigate the spread of the virus, especially as the nation faces record-high cases and overwhelmed healthcare systems. With the potential for holiday gatherings to become super-spreader events, this decision could have dire consequences for public health.