Happy Holiday: 10 Thanksgiving Safety Tips During Pandemic
The pandemic may have brought your journey to a standstill, but it doesn't quiet your curiosity. And your curious mind prompts you to meander the Internet for an hour or two, as you want to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive. The answer is right in front of you. If you still don't have a clue, then recall your most recent (Zoom) meeting with your course mates and/or (college) buddies.
You didn't mind yourself being distracted by what your mates have been chatting about this past week. One of your professors predicted a light winter for most areas of the US, which your friends aren't interested in. Half of them won't mind postponing the release of "Wonder Woman 1984" multiple times while the other half prefer to see it on HBO next January. It's a livelier conversation than wondering about your college's planned survey on how educational disruptions will affect academic level this winter. The upcoming Thanksgiving may not be ideal as past (Thanksgiving) dinners, but you're not doomed to Zoom. It's like a slice of Swiss cheese, where you can cover the holes by placing another slice (of Swiss cheese) and another (and another). It doesn't have to be perfect, as this is about togetherness. Almost. You can think of many ideas after ten minutes or so, which make you forget about your last visit to Brooklyn. (You don't miss the congested traffic, poke bowls, and not enough tables at local coffee shops. Aspiring screenwriters have taken it, and you were the least interested in the next American film classic or if you would live to see the adaptation of "Catcher in the Rye".) Creativity should make you upbeat and optimistic about Thanksgiving.
Have Yourself a Merry (and Unusual) Thanksgiving
Bring out those Christmas decorations. Yuletide must not be confused with (Thanksgiving) leftovers, as the pandemic brought the city's joy reserve to an all-time low. If you notice your neighbor decorating for Christmas after Halloween, then she is right in doing so. Watching "Meet Me in St. Louis" (or "It's a Wonderful Life") one more time may not make you forget about the pandemic for a while. But staring at the (Christmas) decorations would uplift your mood.
Prepare a virtual dinner. This is for your (college) buddies who are still living in dormitories (or hotel dorms) and yearning for the voice of another student (or two) in the hallway. It can also apply to you, as you can't join your family on Thanksgiving Day. You don't have to cook a turkey, as a Big Mac would do. (And there's no need to sing Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Really Like You" to the Big Mac that would be delivered to you one hour before dinner. Your family and/or friends might be annoyed at it.) Just be grateful to be healthy - and having a (uninterrupted) Internet connection.
Share a recipe beforehand - and cook it. This tip is for those who opt for a virtual dinner. It doesn't have to be turkey, and you must not be tempted to cheat (and impress your friends). You can get a good laugh from it, which is what you've been missing these past months. You're thinking of mashed potato. Go for it!
If you have an exhaust fan, turn it on. And keep the window open. You can't celebrate Thanksgiving without being mindful of the risk of getting infected. An exhaust fan keeps contaminants off your room (or home), but it doesn't guarantee prevention. Wear a mask. Clean (and disinfect) the dining table and kitchen. And if your area is one of those Covid hotspots, then don't ever think of inviting your friends to your place. If you insist...
Follow the rule of three. You're not inviting your friends because authorities still believe that the coronavirus is not a threat. It doesn't matter if you support the Republican Party brand or not, as a number would be a factor. It's better to invite three, but remind them about the risks when they travel from their places to yours. (This friendly reminder applies to extended members of your family as well.) If the dining table isn't long enough, then figure out if the living room, if not the yard, would be bigger. Physical distancing must be observed. If you choose outdoors, then provide a heater or fire pit. Some experts blame young people for the recent Covid-19 surges, so get serious. Don't ever think of a party. And you might have to agree on getting together for an hour at the most.
Show your love. If you happen to live in the same city, then support a local restaurant by ordering their Thanksgiving meal. This is how you show your appreciation to restaurants, which might close down next year.
Name your favorite Thanksgiving movie. Skip Jodie Foster's "Home for the Holidays", as dysfunctional family (or group) has no place in the dining room (or yard) this year. Everyone must be in a grateful mood, but don't get dramatic sooner or later. You might be thinking of Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox", which would be your excuse to discuss the remake of "The Witches" afterward. Your coursemate liked the fact that Robert Zemeckis didn't alter the ending. Agree?
What is a perfect Thanksgiving? For President-elect Joe Biden, Nantucket is the perfect Thanksgiving. You're thinking of mountains in the northeast, uncaring, solid, comforting. Your dorm mate misses Central Park. (The beauty of the city lay in its trees.) Your other coursemate is not thinking of China. ("Being in love was like China: you knew it was there, and no doubt it was very interesting, and some people went there, but I never would. I'd spent all my life without ever going to China, but it wouldn't matter, because there was all the rest of the world to visit.") Perhaps you should plan your next journey after dinner. You don't want to be perceived as worldly and interesting, though.
What is the essence of Thanksgiving? Your other professor once said that the first settlers commemorated Thanksgiving with one thing in mind: Survival. And it could be true. (Your father remarked that World War II soldiers didn't come home because they missed the turkey.) You may not want to skip Thanksgiving dinner, but you don't want to forget some people in your area, who are more vulnerable to the coronavirus. Think about providing them a (Thanksgiving) dinner. You can plan it with your family or friends.
Recommend a Thanksgiving-themed book. You can talk about Ransom Riggs's "The Desolation of Devil's Acre" later, as this occasion will be the perfect time to recommend a Thanksgiving-themed book. Your pick is Richard Bausch's "Thanksgiving Night". Next!
The Old Farmer Said
If you dream about yarns, there are great possibilities in your life. It can be your professors agreeing on your essay topic suggestions. It might be a skiing holiday. It may be finding a solution to a serious problem in the bird's world. Don't recommend "To Kill a Mockingbird" and other novels with a bird in its title. And don't play "Angry Birds" and compare scores with your friends. The deadline for your next assignment is the day after Thanksgiving.
