KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thanksgiving Day is exactly three weeks away, and doctors are hoping Americans won't have large gatherings.
If you do plan on being around family or friends, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Dr. Steven Stites with the University of Kansas Health System said it's important to keep in mind that COVID-19 isn't forever.
"People look at this and think, 'oh my gosh, we'll never have Thanksgiving.' Yes, we will," Stites said. "The odds of us having a much better Thanksgiving as far as COVID next year are really, really good."
Doctors say 10 people or fewer is best for gatherings. Tables should be spaced out and families should eat within their own individual households. Masks should be worn the entire time except when eating.
Olathe resident Simo Lamrani said Thanksgiving is normally the one time of year when he gets together with his extended family.
"This year, unfortunately, we can't do that," Lamrani said.
Lamrani will have dinner with just his wife and kids this year.
Thanksgiving will look different for the Kansas City Salvation Army this year, too. Rather than its usual community meal, volunteers will deliver meals to families' homes.
Major David Harvey said it'll be difficult to not have the special tradition.
"We are a face-to-face organization," Harvey said. "We've got to hear people's stories, there's other help we can give to them so not to have that face-to-face is difficult."
The deadline to sign up to receive a Thanksgiving dinner from the Salvation Army is Friday, Nov. 6. To sign up, call 816-756-2769 during normal business hours.
