Pritzker, State Officials Urging Smaller Holiday Gatherings
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike speaks at a COVID-19 briefing in April. Governor JB Pritzker stands at the rear. (SOURCE: Chicago Sun-Times)
Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike are urging families to hold smaller Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas or other holiday gatherings.
At a briefing Wednesday, state officials discussed the guidance for the upcoming holiday season, which includes wearing a mask while traveling, especially when at airports, train stations, or gas stations.
State guidance says if you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner or holiday celebration, efforts should be made to limit the number of guests and try to have as many activities outside as weather permits. They also encourage increasing air flow by opening windows.
Specifically, guidance says to “prepare yourself and your guests to wear masks indoors when not eating and drinking.”
“The safest way to celebrate is to connect with people outside of your household virtually,” said Ezike, though she admitted most families will get together in person over the holidays. “Be reasonable with how many people you can safely accommodate.”
She recommends trying to limit outside exposure in the two weeks prior to family gatherings.
“Think about the seating arrangement,” she said. “See if you can keep members of the same household together and separate other households.”
Ezike suggested using smaller tables spaced apart across multiple rooms in the house. She also recommended not serving foot buffet or family style at meals.
Officials are trying to prevent a further spike in Illinois’ COVID-19 positivity rate. The northwest portion of the state, including Rockford, Dixon, and Galena, reported a 7-day rolling positivity rate over 10 % Wednesday as some bars and restaurants are ignoring mitigation efforts in the area.
The statewide positivity rate has grown over a full percent in the last week, around 4.6% Wednesday.
