Thanksgiving, CDC-Style

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Let me preface this post by saying this: I am feeling a bit feisty right now. It’s raining cats and dogs outside, and so I haven’t been able to go running yet today. Therefore, I attribute tonight’s sassiness to my inability to let off some steam, due to the inclement weather. Please proceed with caution.

So. Here we are. We are exactly two weeks out from Thanksgiving, and like the ultimate party poopers they are, the CDC is ringing in some early holiday cheer by issuing their “COVID19 Holiday Guidelines.“

Which, as a New Yorker under Dictator Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s regime administration, I should be used to oppressive infringements on my civil liberties. I mean, just this week, Cuomo mandated that – to slow the spread of COVID — all bars, restaurants and gyms must close at 10pm, AND all private gatherings at private residences may not exceed 10 people. Yeah — so there’s that.

But back to the CDC. Their guidelines….it’s as if they went and punctured each and every balloon in the non-existant Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with a needle overnight, and we’re all waking up in the morning to a pathetic, droopy Snoopy and pals.

Allow me to just…share a few of these “helpful precautions.”

First – they encourage having a virtual dinner and “sharing recipes” rather than sharing quality time, in-person.

They flat out say that if you are at high risk of contracting COVID (i.e., if you’re older, or have a compromised immune system) that you should avoid in-person gatherings at all costs.

If you must get together, limit the number of households attending; have dinner outside if possible; no singing or shouting; wear a masks at all times; and stay two arms lengths apart.

And oh yeah — bring your own food, AND NO ALCOHOL. (This is because it will obviously impeded your ability to follow social distancing measures.)

OK, so let me get this straight: I can either go to a Thanksgiving recipe swap via Zoom, where I can get tipsy and sing Christmas carols solo, sans-mask until I’m blue in the face; or I can freeze to death at a small, outdoor gathering where I bring my own food, stay six feet away from my loved ones, and be stone cold sober with a mask on for the entire night…and then quarantine for 14 days.

I mean, does anyone else feel like they’re in a straight jacket?

Now look, I am in no way, shape or form diminishing the severity of COVID19, or making light of taking proper precautions, like wearing a mask or social distancing — things that we should all absolutely be doing.

But with your family on Thanksgiving? It just feels like we’re encroaching on hallowed ground. I mean, it was one thing to “cancel” Halloween…but Thanksgiving? That just seems like cruel and unusual punishment!

And frankly, it just seems like such hypocrisy. Where was the outcry on Saturday when thousands poured onto the streets to celebrate the media’s calling Biden as President elect? Or the tens of thousands who took to the streets to protest this summer? — How come not an eyelash was batted? And yet, now, they’re telling me I can’t even eat my Aunt Trudy’s green bean casserole, or have a glass of wine with dinner because it poses too much of a COVID risk?

It just doesn’t seem to quite add up, if you ask me.

But I digress. That’s not the point of this post.

These guidelines, not only do they put an incredibly heavy damper on Thanksgiving, but they put us in a real predicament, too.

What are we to do? Seriously?

Are we to stay holed up and honest to God do a Virtual Thanksgiving Recipe Swap over Zoom? Must we seriously stay away from family and loved ones out of fear?

I’m truthfully asking. Because though I joke about the guidelines and strict precautions we’re taking, the truth of the matter is that they’re there for good reason.

And though, yes, I just purchased a plane ticket to go home for Thanksgiving, the fact is, I’m scared to death that I’m going to pick up COVID on the plane ride there, and God forbid transfer it to my parents! I mean, you’re talking to the girl who stayed holed up in NYC and didn’t see her family for nine months for fear of getting COVID on an airplane!

So believe me, I know the fear is real!

But again, it just makes me question, what is it that God is trying to teach us through all of this?

We’re restricted from attending in-person worship services. We’ve been isolated from family and loved ones since March, living in fear of this invisible predator that could “get us” if we come within six feet of another person, causing us to mistrust and be suspicious of our neighbors and fellow humans. And now, we’re being told we shouldn’t gather with family and loved ones during the holidays?

It honestly feels as though God has led us into the desert for the longest 40 days we’ve ever experienced.

So what are we to do? Truly, I’m asking. What are you going to do during Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you going to go the virtual route? Are you going to safely gather, adhering to the masks and the no-communal-food rules? Or are you going to just go about Thanksgiving as usual and pray that all is well and good?

Because I do trust that God is in control. 100%. But I also have a healthy fear of a virus that could be potentially deadly for my parents, or even my auto-immuned self.

So let me know. I’d love to hear how you plan on celebrating!

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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174 thoughts on “Thanksgiving, CDC-Style”

  1. Here is the ‘Current Best Estimate Infection Fatality Ratio’ STRAIGHT from the CDC website . . .

    0-19 years: 0.00003
    20-49 years: 0.0002
    50-69 years: 0.005
    70+ years: 0.054

    These new guidelines are nothing but a bunch of BS, not to mention contradictory if they are in fact also coming from the CDC. Go enjoy Thanksgiving with your family. You’ll all be just fine. I for one am going to be with my father-in-law who is dying of terminal cancer at home. It’s bad enough we won’t be able to have a proper wake and funeral because of these absolutely ridiculous restraints on our God-given rights. No one is going to tell me who I can and cannot hug! No one has the right to tell me how to live.

    As far as Dictator oops I mean Governor no I mean Dictator Cuomo is concerned, there’s no way in hell some over-reaching, contradictory, hypocritical, power grabbing authoritarian (who is responsible for over 11,000 nursing home deaths and just happens to have a new book out patting himself on the back about how well he handled the COVID) should even be in office! He and Governor Newsom must hang out.

    Fear is a powerful tool. They’ve been telling us for months and months to be ready for a “second wave.” Even Biden said during a debate that we were going to have a “dark winter.” How come? And what kind of crystal ball does he have anyway?!?! Hmmm….Could it possibly be a good distraction from an ongoing election that ISN’T OVER?!?! The controlled mainstream media would much rather focus on a sudden “new wave of COVID” which just happens to coincide with an ongoing election that AIN’T OVER, than discuss wide-spread election fraud which is being exposed more and more each day.

    The mainstream media is LYING TO US. Don’t allow them to keep you in a constant state of fear (speaking to the masses right now). That’s what they want and so far, judging by a lot of comments, it’s working. It’s actually scary how easy it has been for them to control the majority of the population. That’s how freedoms are lost. Between the blatant violations of freedom of speech with big tech censorship and the new cancel culture, well, it’s looking more and more like communist China than the USA. If America falls, that’s all folks.

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    1. Thanks so much for sharing those numbers!! When put like that, it definitely puts things into perspective. Thank you for the encouragement, Mondy. You’re right – fear is a powerful tool. I’m so sorry to hear about your father in law. I will be keeping him and your family in my prayers. Have a wonderful thanksgiving my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  2. We dissolved our Thanksgiving plans a month ago from our usual large, multi-extended family gathering to separate, smaller single family gatherings. In our case, just us and our kids so, depending on who is in town, that’s somewhere between three and seven. But honestly, it’s even harder to think about next month. Christmas is coming… or is it?

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    1. Hi Pastor Partridge, thanks for sharing that. I’m sorry the big shin dog was canceled, but it sounds like you’ve got a nice intimate gathering to look forward to. Very true! Hugs and love xox

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  3. We could succumb to a variety of illnesses and fates at any given time without notice. Go hug, love and eat with your family. Tomorrow isn’t promised and you would never forgive yourself if something were to gooos and you didn’t get that time with them – Happy Thanksgiving

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    1. You’re so right, RC. When God calls us home, that is our time. Thanks for this powerful perspective and encouragement! Have a wonderful thanksgiving! Big hugs to you xox

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  4. Much the same here in the Uk, excepted only people who live in the same house are allowed to be together indoors and get togethers out side are one to one unless you live in the same house. We will be staying shut in at Christmas. We will phone everyone in the morning and then just get on with it. I can understand the frustration of some but the longer some people mess about and keep braking the lock down rules the longer we will be under them.

    As for your thoughts on why your God is doing this, couldn’t this be a big clear out, a sort of resetting for hopefully better things? I don’t know my thoughts are Mother nature has had enough and is teaching us a hard lesson

    Bright blessing and may good health be your constant .companion

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    1. Thanks friend, for sharing your heart. You’re right – we’re definitely being taught a hard lesson for sure!! Christmas will surely look different. Thanks for the encouragement. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs and love xox

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  6. I am living my life like normal in the power of the Holy Spirit. The left and their propaganda media are lying about Covid. The CDC said only 6% of the Covid deaths were actually from Covid. Doctors say masks don’t even protect us and are actually bad for our health. Cuomo is a tyrant who is dominating New Yorkers with lies, fear, religious persecution, and leftist hypocrisy. They are using Covid to control people, and take our rights and freedom. We must stand firm in the Lord and in the truth. Thanksgiving and Christmas will continue in our family, and no elected politician is going to tell me otherwise. Praying the Lord brings healing and peace to all this! God bless!

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    1. Hey again ryan! You’re on a reading roll! Thanks for sharing that. You’re right – after all, the pandemic was the only thing Biden had to run on 🤭 Ooops! Didn’t mean to get political 😉 haha but you’re right – we need to be safe and smart but not let fear rule our lives. Have a great thanksgiving! Hugs and love xox

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  7. I loved the rant. I agree that social liberties are being infringed, and fear tactics are manipulating us.

    As for our Thanksgiving, it is impacted more by dietary restrictions than a lack of people. Between my wife’s kidney friendly and diabetic diet and my low FODMAP, our favorite dishes this year are changing, except for the turkey and cranberry sauce. Our children are too far away, and we have the big trip at Christmas to see the grandkids. The deal is that everything changes. I just wish our Nation would slow down the change – most of it is not so good, change wise.

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    1. Haha thanks friend! You’re right about that – fear is a powerful manipulation tool. Yes, everything changed. I’ve got some FODMAP recipes for thanksgiving including a paleo pumpkin pie (which I believe is FODMAP!) but I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving. I’ll grab those links in a bit! Hugs and love xox

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  8. We need a healthy balance of caution and yet not completely isolate ourselves from those who are most important in our lives. The fear tactics being used seem less about controlling a disease and more about controlling our lives.

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    1. You’re absolutely right Stephanie. A healthy balance of caution and yet not letting fear dictate our lives. So true! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving! Hugs and love xox

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  9. Nothing much is going to change with my Thanksgiving. I will say that when the news started covering Covid, I was nervous because I have asthma. Then in August, my mom caught the virus and she was the only one in the house who caught it, which is surprising since we didn’t really isolate, wear masks, or use different hand towels (we suspect that we may have had it back in January and that’s why the rest of us didn’t get it).
    I’m also not worrying because we discovered that my favorite tea, rooibos, does more than just taste good. My mom started getting a tickle in her throat and tightness in her chest on the worst day of her illness, so she had a cup of rooibos since it tends to hit the spot when we’re sick. It eased the tightness in her chest, so she had another cup an hour before she went to bed. When she woke up in the morning, the throat and chest symptoms were gone.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing that. Gosh I’m so sorry that your mom had it! That’s great though about rooibos! Good to know!! Hugs and love xox

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  10. I’ve really enjoyed reading your post on life in NYC during these times. Thanks for sharing and being honest. You are doing a great job. Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Aw thank you so much Monica, glad I could shed some light on what’s going on here for ya! Have a happy thanksgiving too! Hugs and love xox

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  11. It is really warm here in Texas, so we are going to have a Thanksgiving Day picnic–respectfully distancing but also sharing food and enjoying each other in God’s beautiful creation. Blessings!

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    1. Oh that’s so perfect! I hope you have a wonderful time C! Lucky you to have such pleasant weather! Hugs and love xox

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  13. What is it that God is trying to teach us through all of this? What truly matters in life, people food and shelter. The sad truth is people have lost connection with the spiritual part of themselves, lost in materialism.

    These are hard times I know and it is frustrating that there are not better plans in place, There should be tests available to buy so that families and friends can have a enjoyable Christmas together. Knowing they are safe, meaning only the affected people are isolated.

    Sadly our governments are very badly run and don’t care for their citizens.

    All we can do is pray that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel. 🙂

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    1. That’s such a wise thought: what truly matters in life. Yes! Absolutely / joining you in prayer! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  14. “no singing or shouting…and stay two arms lengths apart…” Apparently the CDC anticipated gatherings of Taylors, as we always sing, shout like the hearers are in the next state, and wind up swinging at each other…;)

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  15. Hi Caralyn, you are so right! I plan to spend my Thanksgiving in my usual way with those I love. No politician is going to dictate to me how I can live my life. I don’t live in New York, but I can honestly say it sounds a lot like a dictatorship.
    I’d be honored if you stop by my blog that I wrote tonight and leave your comments. I wrote about how the media and its fear-mongering has negatively impacted us all.
    God bless you. Stay strong in the faith. And enjoy your Thanksgiving surrounded (in person) by those whom you love!

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  17. Might I start with saying, I’m so sorry this is so hard with you, and I can relate to your struggle with knowing what is right to do, and more than anything, the uncertainty of where God dwells among that uncertainty. Above all, rest assured that you are redeemed by our Savior, and He is absolutely in control of everything that is happening. As much as we’d like to take credit for spreading a deadly virus or getting our parents sick, it sounds like you are taking every reasonable precaution to ensure that does not happen. It does not sound like you are taking part in reckless behavior that would spread the disease, and as such I think you have a peace in God that you have done all you can do to keep your parents and those around you from getting sick. I have the same fear of being some sort of vector for spreading this deadly virus to my parents who are in their 60’s. I have just been communicating with them as much as possible, and taking precautions around each other when seems reasonably necessary in the moment. In the end of the day, God cares about your heart above all in this manner, and it sounds like you are thinking well beyond yourself, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. However, the enemy is at bay, and would like to insert in this that you are a terrible human being for wanting to even get out of bed and spread the light of who you are as a daughter of the king. Rest assured that the light has outshone the darkness, and even if COVID-19 rears its ugly head, that Christ Jesus will still have the last say. I cannot tell you what is best to do at every turn, but whether you stay or go, I pray that you do it with faith in our Lord Jesus and confidence in His Spirit. He delights in you, and delights that you look to Him at every turn.

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  18. Hey, you’re a runner also! I love to run and I feel ya! I feel like something is missing when I don’t get in a run!

    I am from Calera, OK and travel to DFW for work everyday. I have not heard much on guidelines for the Holidays around these areas. I respect individual and private business requests. I abhor government infringements. I am all for civil disobedience and fighting a battle that you can win or one that is necessary to suffer for. I refuse to wear a mask and follow guidelines as much as possible.

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  19. Loved your opening para, especially the enticing ‘proceed with caution’ advisory! You’re faced with tough choices in days/weeks ahead, so God bless. Just as a personal note, we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving Oct.11-12 weekend, at a lakefront site off Lake Erie. We’re also faced with social distancing and restrictions on attendance so we had dinner outdoors around a fire which allowed for more flexibility. Turned out to be a great time. I hope you will enjoy your upcoming Thanksgiving with friends/family, also of course, Christmas. All the best to you and yours.

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  20. The thing I keep thinking is perfect eye sight is considered 2020. Maybe 2020 is the year we see things differently and set our focus on what really matters. I don’t know what to say about everything but I know Gods got a purpose and plan.

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  21. I’m going to trust the CDC. They live in a world of science and facts. I understand not liking it, but denial may be tragic. It’s more important to do the right thing than the thing you think further defines you politically.

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  23. Because of our age and my husband’s auto-immune deficiency, we’ll have to stay isolated at home for Thanksgiving. Am SO looking forward to 2021 and the ability to see family and friends–without masks–and to hug each other again! Those moments will be all the sweeter for the waiting, and heightened appreciation is in itself something we’ll be grateful for when the time comes!

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  24. I’m glad I live in South Carolina where the government believes covid is real but also believes we have a little common sense. So it’s ok to eat in restaurants but not your family’s food at your family’s house? What you may not know is that these rogue republican states here in the south st least don’t live in fear because they don’t have fear mongering politicians using terror tactics at every turn. Right or wrong I’ll take it.

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    1. Oh gosh – well I’m glad you still have those freedoms!!! Thanks so much Roseann! I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving. Hugs and love xox

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