PREPARE FOR THANKSGIVING TRAVEL AND PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
Historically, November is typically the busiest travel time of the year. But, this year, the coronavirus pandemic combined with travel restrictions – both domestic and international – have complicated things.
Many will be traveling to see family and friends for the first time since quarantine began, and are likely to score lower airfares as cash-strapped airlines compete to offer the best deals. According to a poll, 39% say they plan to travel during the holidays this year. However, 21% have said they do not plan to travel, though in a typical year, they would. About 50% plan to fly over Thanksgiving and 75% say they will for the December holidays.
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.
It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
As Americans we celebrate Thanksgiving as a time to reflect on our freedoms, the many blessings and sacrifices for those that have fought for our freedoms and to share time with friends and family. Basically, to acknowledge our blessings, show love to our family and to give Thanks. This year in the midst of a global pandemic, we must be vigilant and conscious of the consequences of all our decisions.
Just this week, the Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned that the Thanksgiving holiday could be the “inflection point” of a dangerous surge in coronavirus cases that has already begun. However, we cannot and should not shut down our life and live in fear.
We have learned a lot over the past 10 months since COVID began.
The most vulnerable are those over the age of 60 with underlying conditions or co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and lung disease. Every year, November begins the influenza season. CDC estimates that in 2019 influenza was associated with more than 35.5 million illnesses, more than 16.5 million medical visits, 490,600 hospitalizations, and 34,200 deaths during the 2018–2019 influenza season.
Yet, we never shut down our economy or even consider not living our life in fear every year during flu season. To date, we have just over 9 million COVID cases in the U.S. and approximately 240,000 deaths. We also recognize that the death numbers may be an over estimation since many people die with COVID rather than dying from COVID. Regardless, it can be deadly in the most vulnerable patients and we must take precautions.
So what can you do to protect yourself and your family?
We know that loss of nitric oxide explains everything we know about the risk of infection from COVID and its rapid progression in at-risk patients.
The most important thing you can do is to take steps to improve your nitric oxide production. Get daily physical exercise and eat more green leafy vegetables with your meals. It is important to stop using mouthwash and antacids that shut down nitric oxide production. Take an active nitric oxide product or supplement to ensure your body has what it needs to fend off the virus. Use an ozone generator in rooms where people are gathered to help kill off any infectious particles.
These are simple, common sense steps to take so you can enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday with friends and family while keeping everyone safe.
Everything I do and every decision I make is based on a risk benefit analysis.
When I look at the risks of not spending quality time with friends and family and expressing gratitude and Thanksgiving for our great Country against the small risks of spreading an infection when taking precaution as discussed above, the answer is clear.
Many people have been quarantined and isolated from their families for months now. The psychological, physiological and social consequences of such have been devastating. We need social interaction for our physical, emotional and spiritual health.
There is no better time to re-engage with our family and friends than during Thanksgiving.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
So let us recognize the inherent risks and take necessary precautions but let us not become paralyzed. Rather, lets celebrate, spend time with family and express our gratitude for living in the greatest country in the world.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.