FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, public health experts warn traditional Thanksgiving celebrations are a "perfect recipe" to spread COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack released recommendations for the holiday this year.
The guidelines include:
-Avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household.
-Always wear a face covering or mask.
-Maintain a social distance of at least 6 ft. or more.
-Avoid large gatherings, especially those held indoors.
-Do not host or attend crowded parades.
-Avoid shopping in crowded stores before, on, or after Thanksgiving.
"That person that you may think you will really miss sitting across the table from you this year, I want to make sure is across the table from you next year," Gov. Beshear said. "And this right now is the most dangerous time that we've had in this virus."
According to Dr. Stack, the guidance mirrors White House recommendations. He also noted all of Kentucky's counties were either in the red or orange zone as of Tuesday.
"2020 has been a mess, it's been a mess for all of us," Dr. Stack said. "We've got to hang in there just a little bit longer."
Dr. Stack said there is reason to have hope after good news about clinical trials for a vaccine candidate from Pfizer.
"Next year I believe, I have reason to be confident, will start to look better and we'll be able to return to some of the things we miss so much," he said.
