Jason Delgado
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb across the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans to reconsider their Thanksgiving travel plans.
The CDC’s chief concern is that holiday travel will increase the virus’s spread, further contributing to America’s growing case numbers. What’s more, those infected with the virus risk spreading it to older family members who may be more susceptible to complications.
“Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19,” the CDC said. “Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”
If Americans are to travel, however, the CDC advises them to take several safety precautions.
Among them, they ask travelers to research any relevant COVID-19 data at their destination such as travel restrictions and case numbers.
“The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return,” the CDC said.
The CDC also encouraged travelers to use precautions such as wearing a mask, hand washing and maintaining appropriate social distance.
A full list of travel precautions can be found online.
Notably, not all travel is the same, the CDC suggested.
Health officials urged travelers to consider the unique challenges their holiday travel plans may present.
“Airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces,” the CDC added.
Florida broke 900,000 reported cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, roughly one week before Thanksgiving.
Thus far, nearly 18,000 have died from the disease although the mortality rate remains around 2% in the state.
The increase in cases come as some parts of the nation experience a surge. Earlier this month, the U.S. surpassed 10 million cases of COVID-19.
Texas became the first state to record a million infections and California surpassed that milestone shortly after.
At the current rate, Florida could reach that grim milestone within a few weeks.
