CDC 'strongly' advises Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving as COVID cases and hospitalizations surge and deaths surpasses 250k - as experts warn another 50k could die by the end of the year
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 'strongly' advising Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving and not to spend the holiday with people from outside their household amid a nationwide surge of COVID-19.
The recommendation from the nation's top public health agency on Thursday is some of the firmest guidance yet from the government on curtailing traditional gatherings to fight the outbreak.
The travel advice is a 'strong recommendation' and not a requirement, CDC official Henry Walke said, adding that the agency was giving the advice after the majority of states experienced a surge in coronavirus cases in recent weeks.
Daily cases, which are currently on the rise in all 50 states, increased to 170,000 on Thursday. Daily deaths surged to 1,800 and hospitalizations reached yet another record high of 79,000 patients.
'We're alarmed with the exponential increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths,' Walke said. 'One of our concerns is people over the holiday season get together, and they may actually be bringing infection with them to that small gathering and not even know it.
'We're very concerned about people who are coming together sort of outside their household bubble.'
Nationwide infections, which are on the rise in all 50 states, increased to 170,000 yesterday
Daily deaths surged to 1,800 yesterday and are now averaging 1,200 per day, the highest it has been in months
A coalition of seven Midwestern governors from both sides of the political aisle issued a similar warning, penning an op-ed in the Washington Post urging Americans to stay home for the upcoming holiday stop the virus' 'devastating' spread.
It comes as former CDC chief Richard Besser, now the CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said he believes the nation's COVID-19 death toll could increase by another 50,000 by the end of the year if drastic measures aren't taken.
'It is absolutely mind-numbing to think that we have lost that many people - each individual representing a friend, a family member, someone whose life had value,' Besser said.
CDC official Henry Walke (above) announced the travel guidance on Thursday
'I worry that if we don't change what we're doing, we're going to be having a conversation before the end of the year about 300,000 people.'
Coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket across the US with more than 11.6 million confirmed infections and the nationwide death toll has now surpassed 250,000.
In many areas of the country, health care systems are being squeezed by a combination of sick patients filling up beds and medical workers falling ill themselves.
In a bid to curb the spread, the CDC is warning that large indoor household gatherings this holiday season could make the situation even worse.
The CDC has advised against gathering with anyone who has not lived in the same household for at least 14 days, the incubation period for the coronavirus.
If families do decide to include returning college students, military members or others for turkey and stuffing, the CDC is recommending that the hosts take added precautions: Gatherings should be outdoors if possible, with people keeping 6 feet apart and wearing masks and just one person serving the food.
'From an individual household level, what's at stake is basically increased chance of one of your loved ones becoming sick and then hospitalized and dying,' Walke said.
'We certainly don't want to see that happen. These times are tough. It's been a long outbreak.'
With regard to those who do still decide to travel, the CDC recommends doing so 'as safely as possible,' which includes wearing a mask while in public, maintaining social distancing and washing hands often with soap and water.
Officials said they were also posting recommendations on their website on how to stay safe during the holidays for those Americans who do choose to travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 'strongly' advising Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving
With regard to those who do still decide to travel, the CDC recommends doing so 'as safely as possible,' which includes wearing a mask while in public, maintaining social distancing and washing hands often with soap and water
AAA Travel, who releases annual Thanksgiving travel forecasts, predicts 50 million Americans will travel - either by plane, train, bus or car - for the holiday this year. It is down slightly from the 55 million last year.
The organization does note that travel in 2020 is likely to much less than its forecast given rising infection rates and changing CDC guidance.
United Airlines warned Thursday that bookings have slowed and cancellations have increased as the number of coronavirus infections spikes across the country.
Southwest Airlines has also seen more cancellations, and the carrier's CEO said that travel demand will be remain weak in the first quarter.
The number of people flying in the United States is down about 65 percent from a year ago, and airlines were hoping that the upcoming holidays would mean an increase in leisure travel.
United said, however, that it continues to see the virus hurting travel.
In the past week, 'there has been a deceleration in system bookings and an uptick in cancellations as a result of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases,' United said in a regulatory filing.
Southwest officials said bookings are rising for the holidays but so are cancellations - they didn't provide numbers for either.
The guidance from the CDC comes after seven governors, two Republicans and five Democrats, published an op-ed in the Washington Post that called on Americans to 'stay home this Thanksgiving.'
Among the authors was Gretchen Whitmer (D) of Michigan, Mike DeWine (R) of Ohio, Tony Evers (D) of Wisconsin, Tim Walz (D) of Minnesota, J.B Prizker (D) of Illinois, Eric Holcomb (R) of Indiana, and Andy Beshar (D) of Kentucky.
The coalition wrote that, 'For eight months, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated American families everywhere. To fight this virus, governors across the country have listened to medical experts and worked around the clock to protect our families, the brave men and women on the front lines, and our small-business owners.
'No matter the action we take, we understand that our fight against COVID-19 will be more effective when we work together.'
The governors said they were joining forces to come together urge families across the country to 'do their part to protect themselves and their loved ones from the spread of COVID-19.'
'When it comes to fighting this virus, we are all on the same team,' the governors wrote.
In the Midwest, cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are skyrocketing.
The warnings come as former CDC chief Richard Besser, now the president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said he believes the nation's COVID-19 death toll could reach 300,000 by the end of the year
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (left) and Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine (right) was among the authors of the Washington Post's Thursday op-ep, which urged Americans to stay home this Thanksgiving
MICHIGAN: On Wednesday the state became the fifth deadliest in the US after reported 8,576 deaths. The state also has the sixth most cases, with 303,000
On Wednesday, Michigan was officially labelled the fifth deadliest state in the US for COVID-19 and has now recorded the sixth most cases.
Sarah Lyon-Callo, director of the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on Wednesday told reporters that cases and deaths across the state continue to increase at an exponential rate.
'We have the 10th highest hospitalization rate as percent of total beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and the sixth highest number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU' in the nation, Lyon-Callo said in a news conference.
State data show Michigan added 47,771 new confirmed cases over the last seven days. The state has now had 303,000 cases of COVID-19 since March and 8,576 deaths.
Ohio and Kentucky are also each grappling with soaring case counts and hospitalizations.
In Ohio, state health officials reported that as of Wednesday, 319,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported and 5,827 have died from the virus.
Gov. Dewine announced a three-week retail curfew Tuesday that runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to slow the spread of the coronavirus as cases stay at near-record high levels.
'We know if we reduce number of people we come in contact every day, we reduce the chance of getting the virus, and we reduce the chance of getting the virus if you unknowingly have it,' DeWine said.
Similarly, in Kentucky, where 148,000 cases and 1,816 deaths have been reported, Gov. Beshar closed all school classrooms and ended indoor dining at all bars and restaurants across the state until December 13.
In their op-ed, the seven governors insisted that it's 'more important than ever to double-down' on mask-wearing a social distancing to 'help more people get through the winter and protect those on the front lines of this crisis — our doctors, nurses, grocery store workers and truck drivers.'
While news of two effective vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have provided 'hope on the horizon', the governors said the breakthrough 'doesn't mean we can let our guard down and loosen the safety measures we have made in our daily lives.'
'We must remember that when the vaccine is approved, it will take time to distribute, and we need everyone to continue doing his or her part to protect one another from covid-19,' the governors continued.
To do so, the governors urged Americans to forgo travelling out-of-state to see family members this year, instead suggesting to 'get together with your family via Zoom to ensure your loved ones stay safe.'
'If you are planning to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, we urge you to reconsider,' the governors wrote.
'Think about your last Thanksgiving and the people you were surrounded by — your parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends, or the family you have chosen for yourself.
'Picture their faces — laughing with you, watching football with you or even arguing with you about politics. As hard as it will be to not see them this Thanksgiving, imagine how much harder it would be if their chairs are empty next year.'
The governors insisted that all Americans must be prepared to make short-term sacrifices for 'our long-term health'.
'It's going to be a hard fight. But we are up for this challenge,' the letter continues. 'Let's continue to listen to medical experts and do our part to protect the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis. We will get through this together.'
Amid the warnings, a megachurch in Oklahoma has informed its 13,000 members that it will be holding a mass Friendsgiving event this week, and urged worshippers to 'bring a neighbor'.
Victory Church, in Tusla, unveiled the event on Facebook Monday, encouraging their members to 'come and share a meal with us & BRING A NEIGHBOR.'
OHIO: 319,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported and 5,827 have died from the virus since the pandemic began in March
'We always look forward to this meal with you,' the church wrote. 'All of our campuses will be participating at their facility. Come ready to eat.'
Footage posted to social media by Victory Church's pastor Paul Daugherty on Tuesday appeared to show thousands of worshippers packed in closely together inside the church, without masks on or standing at a social distance.
Carrie Blumert, a public health commissioner in Oklahoma, told Newsweek that the actions of Victory Church have made her 'so incredibly sad and angry. Religion does not exempt you from following life saving guidelines.'
Tim Landes, who first posted Daugherty's footage to Twitter, wrote: 'The State puts more restrictions on bars and restaurants, but what about churches like @victorytulsa that need to do their part? No masks. No social distancing.'
Earlier this year, in March, Daugherty led an outdoor service with an estimated 1,000 cars gathered in the site's parking lot and a band set up on the roof.
The pastor said at the time that he had permission from police and local politicians to hold the service.
In a video on Victory Church's website titled, 'Are You Contagious?', Daugherty is shown pulling a mask from his face and declaring 'Victory from the virus.'
Victory Church has encouraged worshippers to return for in-person services, but said it has been asked to keep its auditorium at a 40 percent capacity.
'We will have precautions in place based on CDC guidelines and phase to help keep you safe and healthy,' the church said in a COVID update to its congregation.
Victory Church has not yet returned a DailyMail.com request for comment as to whether attendance will be limited for its Friendsgiving event and what safety measures will be put in place.
Tulsa's Victory Church (above) has come under fire for promoting a Friendsgiving event that urges worshippers to 'bring a neighbor' as COVID cases surge across the state
A image of a video posted by the church's pastor shows hundreds of worshippers crammed in closely together without masks on during a service, believed to have been held on Tuesday
A photo posted to Victory Church's Twitter feed shows an image from a recent service
As of Wednesday Oklahoma has reported 161,425 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 3,017 on the day prior
The news of the church's Friendsgiving event comes as COVID-19 cases are surging across Oklahoma, with local health officials reporting that intensive care units in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa are approaching or at full capacity.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said Thursday that the city 'has a crisis' on its hands right now.
Data released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health on Wednesday shows that the state has had 161,425 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March, and recorded 1,570 deaths.
Victory Church's pastor Paul Daugherty is shown above. He has routinely encouraged worshippers to return for in-person services, though said capacity has been capped at 40 percent
The figures marked an increase of 3,017 cases – or 1.9 percent – since Tuesday, with 26 new deaths also recorded.
On Monday, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a series of executive orders that he said would keep businesses open but still work to protect Oklahomans.
As of Thursday, bars and restaurants across the state must ensure that all tables are spaced six-feet apart and in-person service will end at 11pm.
Stitt, however, still refused to issue a mask mandate for the state, only issuing a directive that requires all state employees to wear masks while in state-owned buildings.
A similar tightening of rules has been seen across a number of other states in recent days amid a nationwide public health warning that Americans traveling to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday could exacerbate the pandemic.
Senior associate dean of Oklahoma University's college of medicine, Dr. Steven Crawford, told Fox 25: 'The best way to celebrate is just within your own household, just the people who you live with. Bringing anyone including other family members in from the outside increases the risk of infection.'
No comments