A different kind of Thanksgiving
COVID precautions to curtail Thanksgiving gatherings
TORONTO
Thanksgiving fanatic Genna Buck is used to going all-out with an elaborate turkey spread for as many as 30 friends.
But this year, COVID-19 will force her annual “friendsgiving” potluck bash to move online, where the avid party host plans to dine with pals over videoconference — — on a turkey meal she’ll prepare the day before and drop off at “guests”’ homes that morning.
Buck says the pandemic has scuttled an annual Thanksgiving dinner with her parents, brother and grandparents in Belleville, Ont., but she refuses to cancel the friends version she typically hosts the weekend before or after the holiday.
Even a scaled-back version wouldn’t be the same, says Buck, whose guestlist has grown over six years to include coworkers, former classmates, and childhood camp friends.
“There’s no such thing as a 10-person friendsgiving at my house, I can never do that,” says Buck, referring to the 10-person bubble Ontario has imposed to contain COVID-19 spread.
“It’s my way of showing love to the people that I love.”
Still, she says surging cases of COVID-19 in Toronto and other parts of Canada demand a drastic rethink of treasured traditions, which she admits may very well include Christmas for her.
With a little over two weeks before Thanksgiving on Oct. 12, a growing chorus of public health and political leaders are urging Canadians to scale back any plans for a sprawling dinner party.
The pleas started with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sobering national address Wednesday, and were amplified Thursday by officials in Ontario and Quebec — — where the bulk of infections and deaths have occurred.
Health Minister Christian Dube urged Quebecers to avoid parties over the next few weeks — including the Thanksgiving long weekend — — while Quebec’s public health director suggested private gatherings are driving infections rather than restaurants, where restrictions are in place.
“Which is very different from a party where ... we forget (to maintain) your two metres,” said Dr. Horacio Arruda, referring to social distancing guidance.
Earlier on Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford also acknowledged the temptation to gather with extended friends and family but stressed the importance of maintaining precautions.
“Nothing is more important than family and loved ones getting together,” said Ford.
“But in saying that, we’ve got to keep it under 10.”
Alberta’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said Thursday that Thanksgiving can still happen as long as people practice caution and stick to gathering within their “cohorts,” which in the province is a bubble of up to 15 people.“Smaller is safer. This is not the time for large gatherings,” Hinshaw said.
Infectious disease specialists warned any relaxation of the rules could undo months of sacrifice.