Just last week, the CDC recommended that families keep their Thanksgiving celebrations to just their households. All across the US, COVID numbers are spiking at an alarming rate. With the second wave potentially upon us, the stage is set for some disastrous results if we don’t stick to restrictions. Unfortunately, it appears as though those warnings fell on many deaf ears. The numbers for air travel over past the weekend are staggering, with over three million people at airports from Friday through Sunday.
Warnings from public health officials not to travel for Thanksgiving didn’t stop passengers from packing US airports and planes this weekend.
From Friday to Sunday, more than 3 million people passed through airport security checkpoints in the United States — a record weekend for air travel since the pandemic hit in March. Sunday was the biggest day for air travel since March 16, with 1.05 million people screened.
US health officials have pleaded with the American public not to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday this week as new Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths soar. Friday saw a one-day record of 196,000 new US cases, according to Johns Hopkins.
The airlines say that the cleaning procedures used between flights, the exchange of fresh air in the cabin throughout flights and the hospital-quality air filters now used on planes make it safe to fly. The airlines also require passengers to wear masks.
But officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the risk of spreading disease lies less in the flight itself and more with large family gatherings, especially with hospitals in many parts of the country already at capacity treating Covid patients.
I read a few tweets over the weekend from folks saying that all those who were complaining about having to miss Thanksgiving or Christmas had never worked in a hotel/restaurant/hospital/airport. One that really got me said they’d obviously never been deployed. The hypocrisy of entitled “patriots” is galling. I’m not a big fan of Thanksgiving so I’m trying not to get too preachy about this. But we did just cancel our family Christmas plans, much to our heartbreak. I’ve spoken to those with college-aged kids who honestly don’t know if they should let their kids come home for Thanksgiving. At least most winter breaks allow time for quarantine until the test results come back. Other than the college kids, I have a hard time with any argument for going against the guidelines. I know everyone here understands this is not the flu. The vaccine news is wonderful, but vaccines won’t cure it and they won’t be available for several months. I know it’s not easy to continue to sit life out, but at least we will all be here for next year’s celebrations if we do.
CB mentioned on Twitter yesterday, we lost one of our own to COVID-19, longtime reader and commenter Escaped Convent. She was hospitalized last spring, on a ventilator for months and fought hard but eventually passed peacefully in hospice with her best friend by her side. Fellow CBers T. Fanty, Miss M (The Original Lucy), Miss Jupitero and I met Nunny, as we affectionately called her, here on CB, backing her as she battled Kaiser for Benedict Cumberbatch. We had so much fun, we continued our friendship into an email circle in which we spoke, several times a day, every day, until she was hospitalized. Nunny had the most soothing voice I’ve ever heard and a phone call from her felt like a therapy treatment. She had no children of her own but always thought of ours, dropping a card or trinket in the mail for their birthday or just because. And even though she’d never met any of them in person, she kept every one of their thank you notes to read over and over. She was sage and smart, fabulously well-read, had a wicked sense of humor and loved to laugh. She cherished music and art as long as it wasn’t modern. And she adored her community here at CB. She once told us she felt like she moved into the right neighborhood when she came out of lurking in the comments. So if you have a moment this week, make yourself a cup of tea in Nunny’s name. Or better yet, eat some fabulous dessert you usually deny yourself. Swoon over something or someone you find beautiful. And if you can, think of a way to reach out to someone you’ve been meaning to talk to. But whatever you do, don’t watch White Christmas, she f*cking hated that movie.
Photo credit: Getty Images and Priscilla Du Preez and Hannah Busing for Unsplash
And this is why our border remains closed, although, I’ve seen a few plates from the States here. Not sure how they got in?!
No restrictions for really flying in besides quarantining for 14 days… I’m assuming your from Canada. As for vehicles- lots are getting past the border but many are doing the 14 day quarantine so I wouldn’t assume they are just day travellers but maybe staying longer. The border agents have been checking up and I know many who have been fined. I have family trying to move back to Canada who are on a group that has been reporting 10,000 fines if your not quarantined like your suppose to
You can still come back to Canada if you are a Canadian citizen. We know a few people who came back to spend lockdown here and brought their US cars 🙂
I travelled from Europe to Canada in August to visit family (I am a Canadian citizen), and the quarantine in Canada is thankfully very strict. I stayed in the house for 14 days (though I could use the house garden), did not touch or interact with family, and was checked up on by the RCMP (national police) twice. I was able to leave the house for a COVID-19 test, which was negative, but still had to wait out the rest of my quarantine.
I was pleased with how seriously Canada was taking the quarantine – here in Europe, not all countries even have a quarantine system for incoming international travellers, and those that do don’t always enforce them. In Denmark, for example, it is “recommended” that you quarantine after returning from abroad, but no one cares if you don’t do it (which makes me sad).
Not everyone in Canada are cautious. I spoke to my MIL a few weeks ago and she was talking about making a pit stop in the States to spend some time with us before hopping over to Hong Kong. I told her it wasn’t a good idea due to the pandemic. She said, if you die you die, you’ll go anyway eventually. Big WTF. Sorry if you want to die, don’t drag the rest of us down with you.
My bil then told me that mil doesn’t follow the news?!?! Seriously I hope she doesn’t come and infect us.
I believe Americans can still get in if they claim they are Alaska bound, though they are supposed to abide by restrictions. I’m not sure if it has been tightened up since several of these Alaskan Americans were busted vacationing in B.C. and Banff this summer.
Well the Canadian/American border isn’t actually closed. You can drive over to meet a gf/bf or close family still (with 14 day quarantine). You can cross over for work or school as well (don’t have to quarantine of course). You can fly over to America very easily. We have lots of retired people that fly down to Florida for the winter and many are still going this winter. It’s stupid but what can you do? These people are putting pleasure above safety.
The snowbirds going to Florida this year are total idiots. They are right in the high risk age group and Florida is a hot spot for covid. Even if they have extra health insurance, if the hospitals in Florida get filled, do they really think that a canadian is going to prioritized over an American?
@ Nic919
They are absolute morons…just like the ones that still went on cruises. They’ll cry and complain that the Canadian government should send private planes to bring them back to Canada. At this point you should know better !
@ME Only Canadian citizens and essential workers are allowed to come to Canada. There are now compassionate exceptions for non-citizens to come to visit a partner or a sick relative but they are still required to do a a 14 days quarantine. The only ones that can forego quarantine are essential workers such as truck drivers. I need a tech to come to instal a piece of scientific equipment in my lab and working on the paperwork to let him come in sans quarantine; it’s not exactly easy!
Of course, anyone can fly to the US and go straight to a bar, but that’s not our fault
@ Arpeggi
Actually, we just had an influx of international students fly in to Canada. It’s not just Canadian citizens allowed in. They must quarantine for 14 days…however I do wonder where are they supposed to quarantine? I know many of them are living in basements with 10 other students (who’ve all arrived at different times). Anyways, my point was the border really isn’t “closed” per se. Yeah actually it’s comforting knowing you have to actually do a lot of paperwork to let a tech come and install equipment. LOL I know it must suck for you but it’s nice to know there is some precautions being taken.
Oh wow this made me cry, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know her but she sounds fabulous.
Me too. I’m crying now too. My condolences to anyone who knew her.
Same here.
I love this Celebitchy community and have been following (and participating, though not as much as many of the regulars) for years.
May she rest in power, and may we all be safe during this holiday season.
Sending deepest condolences, CB and Celebitchy community. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Nunny. May she rest in power.
This is heartbreaking, both the news at the number of people travelling and putting themselves and others at risk and your loss. I’m so sorry and now crying angry tears into my soup. This year has been awful and communities like this have helped me get through.
Oh, damn. What a beautiful eulogy for a member of this community. I raise a glass in her honor.
I’m so sorry about Nunny. What a heartbreaking loss.
For the travel – yeah, I’ve been reading about it and apparently the planes are relatively safe, because they recycle fresh air and they’ve improved the air filters. But think about the actual travel process – taking the bus from the parking lot to the airport, waiting in line, maybe you get food (and take off your mask to eat), etc all before you get on the plane. And then figure of course you’re not traveling to go sit by yourself in a hotel room for the weekend. You’re traveling to see family or friends etc.
And people are taking tests before they travel and they’re like, oh its negative and they go on their merry way, completely ignoring that you could have it and just aren’t testing positive yet.
Packed planes with people removing their masks to eat or drink will absolutely ensure the spread onboard. Even the best filters can’t take care of that.
I read an article about her (around the time of the Blackamoor brooch incident I think) that referred to her father as an “alleged Nazi” so I looked it up and was like…..why is it “alleged” for crying out loud.
People that I know who are normally safe about Covid guidelines, are still gathering with friends and family for the holidays. I just don’t get it. The news about how overwhelmed healthcare workers are to the point some are going on strike during a pandemic is alarming. The healthcare system is cracking now, I’m terrified to know what it will be like by Christmas. This Christmas is going to be a pretty sad one I think.
Where I live in the Midwest, the county has issued a public health order against indoor gatherings beyond immediate household members. My aunt who lives in the same county, scaled back her Thanksgiving from 30+ people, which included in the past her family plus her in-laws to just her immediate family minus one of my cousins. That’s still over a dozen people. I casually mentioned that to my sister who works in public health, and her immediate reaction was when do we call the county health department to alert them to a household violating that order.
This is from the woman who went to extremes co-hosting a baby shower that really didn’t need to happen this summer. We could have done it via Zoom, but her and her sister wouldn’t have gotten to experience the high of the praise they got in person for hosting and seeming like good family members. She conscripted people to serve out portions at the salad bar and along with her sister, my other pain in the butt aunt, required people to wear masks at all times when not eating. It wasn’t even at her own house – it was at my dad’s place, which led to some some conflict between the 3 of them. I hope my dad remembers how much stress and anxiety he had because of that damn baby shower when he hosts family Xmas next year and opts out of hosting. I hope he sets some boundaries and rules with them.
My extended family has more or less cancelled getting together this year because of Covid. Some people, including my sister who barely can tolerate some of them, are ecstatic. She’s looking forward to a vaccine hopefully widely available by this time next year, and has offered to serve as the Covid bouncer. She wants people to show proof that they have gotten the vaccine, take their temperature and a rapid Covid test. Her plan is to tell the people she doesn’t like that they have Covid and can’t come into my dad’s house.
I’m so sorry to learn about Nunny’s passing.
I’m a longtime lurker who’s evolved into a sometime-commenter, and I look forward to the wit and wisdom of the CB community every single day.
Taking a moment of gratitude for everything I have (including my good health!) right now.
Ugh at people traveling for Thanksgiving…This is not the priority, we’re still in the middle of a pandemic.
What a beautiful eulogy for Nunny, I am terribly sorry to hear about her passing. I don’t know how I landed on this website but I have been a daily reader for 10 years, no matter how busy I’ve been or what has happened in my life. I’m so grateful for this community!
Celebitchy was actually the first website I checked after climbing Mount Kilimandjaro and reaching the camp with WIFI for the first time in over a week. Priorities you know!
I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. The Thanksgiving travel debacle is yet another failure of the Trump administration. They should have been issuing clear guidance for weeks (months!) that large gatherings would not be not safe, but instead they waited until the day before everybody was headed home, when people were at their very least likely moment to consider canceling their travel plans. The worst part is the timing of the people who get infected this weekend- the sickest of them will be dying just in time for Christmas.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s loss. Good friends are hard to find. I am so upset at the selfishness of all these people. My aunt has been in the house for months because she is in her eighties. Her brother died a few months ago and she is the last one of her siblings. I have never seen her so sad and she has lost two children and a husband. Her cousins and friends can’t come to visit and I and my brother have had to stay away so the isolation is compounding her grief. When I think of all the children who are not getting hugs from grandparents and all the people who are trying to help children with virtual learning or the front line health care workers and all the people who can’t afford to stay home who are putting themselves at risk because a bunch of selfish, self centered people many who claim to be Christians won’t sacrifice one holiday to protect the people they claim to care about, I see red. I really thought Americans were better than this.
Saddened to hear about Nunny. 🙏 I’ve been a lurker/occasional commenter since Prince William had hair. As a home health and hospice nurse, I’m here to encourage those who can to please stay home. I’m in and out of homes and assisted living facilities in southwest Montana and our patients are dying at an alarming rate as transmission in the community continues upward. Nothing angers me more than seeing people out in public without masks and defiantly vowing they won’t be prevented from gathering. (Well, the flags still flying for Trump send me over the edge too.) That said, I’m single and I’m staying home for all the upcoming holidays.
@Skyblue I wish you continued strength and health as you offer such essential support to so many.
I, too, am deeply angered over seeing people not masking. I live in a building in the Midwest in an area and demographic that is very high risk with a lot of elders. I’ve been dealing with health concerns of my own that compromise my immune system, but even if I wasn’t, I would never take chances with my mask, with my life, with other people’s lives. I can’t help but ask people when I see them in the lobby not masked–though the building has a mask rule, management refuses to enforce it–if they need a mask, that I have extra. They say, oh, I have one, or oh, it’s in my pocket. I ask, please can you put it on? Well, today this man starts yelling at me, and I just can’t anymore. I was shaking but resolute. I just kept saying, please put on your mask. He finally did but not after putting everyone in the lobby at risk and complaining that all he wanted was for me to be quiet. (Simple: put on a mask) And I was just back from a doctor visit where the security guard there yet again had his mask around his chin.
I feel so enraged by these people. It’s such a selfish, American thing that goes across all demographics. I just can’t believe how people are so beligerent and adamant about not wearing masks. Last week, I asked a woman to please put on a mask (she was standing making phone calls in the building entrance) and she came outside screaming at me, saying, may you be blessed in Jesus name, or some nonsense, in anger. I was like, if you’re calling out Jesus name, best be assured that, regardless of the way his words have been twisted over millennia, he was a badass who cared about his fellow people and *Jesus most definitely would have been wearing a mask*. lol (not) sigh…
Easy – if someone answers the question “Did you fly on Thanksgiving for something other than business required by your employer (proof required)” in the affirmative when they go to the hospital, wish them good luck and tell them that all of their freedom will probably kick in any moment to save their lives and send them back home. Ignoring dire warnings from the CDC, especially when the proof is all around you about how bad the situation is, is reprehensible to say the least and it should automatically waive your right for medical treatment. They can inscribe YOLO on your tombstone.
Everyone is suffering mentally and emotionally right now, and none more so than the medical personnel having to make literal decisions about who is going to live or die every day because our hospitals are overwhelmed due to people’s selfishness and willful ignorance. Personnel who are putting their lives on the line, wearing equipment that they have to wear over and over thanks to our failure of a leader, just so they can try and help abusive “patriots” calling them fake and greedy liars.
We’re all sick of it. We’re all down and tired and the thought of not being able to be around friends or family for the holidays fucking sucks after 8 months of dealing with this. The difference is some of us recognize it’s better to sacrifice it this year so we can go all out next year when it is safe to do so – for EVERYONE.
Absolutely agree. Seeing news stories and pictures of healthcare workers breaking down in tears from exhaustion and fear and anguish of watching people die is enough to solidify my holiday plans. Look, humans aren’t meant to be alone and that’s why it’s a sacrafice, but if it’s the biggest sacrafice regular citizens have to make, we should consider ourselves lucky. People may miss their family members, but they’d miss them a lot more if they have to bury them.
I saw some college kid on the news say he’s going home for Thanksgiving but it’s going to be a lot weirder and scarier with his grandparents there. They don’t NEED to be there! He doesn’t NEED to be there! Have a big feast to celebrate the end of the pandemic when it’s over.
@Chris Wow. Horrific. I simply can’t wrap my mind around how people can continue to put their loved ones at risk! How?!? Seriously, it’s tough for all of us, some more than others, but staying safe for one year, one holiday, to keep oneself and loved ones safe–why is that so hard for people? I’m so exhausted from this. I go to the doctor and for groceries, that’s it. I’m lucky to be able to work from home but even going out once or twice a week is so stressful because of these people who refuse to mask. My building is the worst; I wish I could put my high school rappelling skills to use and just rappel off the balcony to go out instead of having to go through the high-risk lobbies and dealing every single time with people who just do not care. It doesn’t make sense! Someone please help it make sense. Why would they put their grandparents’ lives in danger?
What an amazing yet terribly sad story to share here. We forget that’s there’s a face and a heart behind all these comments, and that bloggers, no matter how successful, do want to reach and connect with their readers. Thank you for letting us know, both about her passing, but mostly the history of your friendship. As sad as the outcome, you also conveyed a lot of joy and humour. Which is what has made this site a continual pleasure to visit.
Thank you. And I raise one to Nunny.
My mom’s pastor, wife and secretary got Covid. They are all ok but his dad who visited from Arkansas has covid now. He’s 95. My uncle has it. I think it will be at least middle of next year by the time we’re out of it. My mom is one of those herd mentality people as are many others I know, it makes me so mad. I work face to face with customers so they are prolonging my risk and the length of time I’m going to have to continually wear a mask. I would love to take it off, but I don’t. I’m pissed though that certain people are prolonging it for others who are doing the right things.
I’m a vocal music teacher. I’m not giving up my mask for a lo-o-o-ong time.
Pissed that I had to have a couple “conversations” with my father as to why we aren’t going to Thanksgiving when they pared it down to 8.
Because you insist on meeting your friends at the bar once a week, even though they moved it outdoors. Because mommy dearest continues to play mahjong once a week, sitting at a kitchen table with 5 or 6 friends and no masks. Because my cousin’s wife loves attending weddings, baby showers, bridal showers and going to the gym. Because uncle B thinks this is like the flu so doesn’t follow masking unless make to.
Oh, and knowing my children, their grandkids, have underlying medical conditions that can be life or death in the best of times…
Yeah, thanks, but no.
I think this is weirdly the hardest part for people to grasp, just because you gather with a fewer people at one time doesn’t lower your risk if you’re seeing a ton of people collectively. So many people say “we’re being safe!” Yeah how? Saying the word “safe” doesn’t make it safe. You’re going about your life as normal 99% of the time. All it takes is one asymptomatic infected person to start off a chain reaction. I’m hoping for your children’s good health during this pandemic.
The mental gymnastics some people go through to justify their actions and convince themselves they are safe is astounding. I have relatives who are retired and claim they don’t go anywhere (except shopping at 5 different stores a week because one walmart has better clothes and another walmart has better produce, I like the butter at Costco etc.) But when you talk to them they’re going out to a restaurant once a week, oh, but it’s not a big group, just their son and his friend this week, or another couple last week, so it’s ok. They went over to their neighbors house, but it’s just next door so it’s ok. This week they had a couple from the neighborhood over to their house, then went to visit another couple they are friends with, but it’s ok, because they’re also retired and they also “dont go anywhere”. For Christmas they’re planning on having about 20 family members including 5 teenagers who are not social distancing, plus a severely aged relative. But hey, it’ll be fine, they don’t go anywhere.
It’s no wonder we cant get a handle on this it’s obvious to me where the spread is coming from people just don’t want to admit it.
This exactly. I have so many friends (and they’re Democrats) who aren’t at all anti-mask, but are still traveling or letting their kids “bubble” with 6-8 other kids. (Which of course, is no bubble at all!) It’s just mind boggling. I find myself really emotionally distancing from so many people I considered friends who are just showing themselves to be stupid and selfish.
Lady Keller, so much this! I work as a nanny and the mom works AT THE HOSPITAL where she treats Covid patients sometimes and she still doesn’t really get it. She was working from home one day for a zoom conference and I was there to watch the kids. She asked me if my family had been staying safe and healthy and I said “Yes. Luckily none of has gotten Covid but we also don’t go anywhere besides work and the grocery store. Our son hasn’t left the house except to walk the dog in months.” And she said that in the last week SIX of her family members have called her to tell her they’re Covid positive. And she told me “so yeah, we won’t be visiting with them anymore! The girls (the kids I watch) really only see you and me and their dad.” Literally within an hour she told me her friend and her friend’s kids were coming over to visit and the kids would all play together. She muted herself and turned off the camera for her conference which was about how to do Covid more safely at the hospital, and sat with her friend in the living room maskless. I took all the kids outside immediately to play. Now I hear they’re traveling for thanksgiving to spend it with family. The same Covid + family? Different ones? They travelled for Halloween! Who does that? The kids stayed with their grandparents and then trick or treated with an aunt and cousins. They went to museums and stuff. But her kids really only see me and their parents? She had an indoor birthday party for her daughter. She only invited “like 10 people but 30 showed up. Ha ha, so funny”. I didn’t attend and the 4 year old was upset that I didn’t come to her party. I didn’t know how to tell her why without being like “your party was a cesspit of germs and your parents put everyone in danger and I didn’t want to die!” And then she hosted a baby shower at her house but it was on the deck and people “only went inside to use the bathroom and get food and if they got cold.” No masks for any of this because these are all people who also “aren’t doing much,” or who are friends/family so it’s safer somehow?
Omg @Amy Too this is beyond horrifying and I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. Good decision to completely distance from that mess but of course it’s heartbreaking.
@Bella, I’m single, my kid is studying overseas and not coming home and I thought maybe ONE friend might come over for Thanksgiving. She’s also single, no children. Even after both of us signed up to get tested, we decided against it. Neither of us go anywhere (except weekly to grocery store with masks), but the risk of one of us being asymptomatic and infecting the other is too great of a risk. I have asthma, I can’t get COVID. Next year after the vaccination, we’ll celebrate. So, I don’t understand people FLYING, then endangering their elderly relatives. Crazy.
Canada had a spike in cases shortly after Thanksgiving last month. The US has ten times the population. This should end well. SMDH. I keep hearing people ask about how we can help the frontline medical workers. The best way to help them is to do everything you can to avoid becoming a COVID patient.
Like I posted on my social media, if your excuse for a big holiday gathering is “we’ve always done it this way,” you’d better start familiarizing yourself with your cultural death and burial rituals because you’re gonna need that knowledge next month. I cannot believe this many people are willing to die just to stuff their faces with turkey.
RIP Nunny, we will raise a cuppa in your honor.
I’m sorry to hear about Escaped Convent.
Hugs to anyone who has lost a loved one, you’re not alone❤️
I just read about how Australia JUST reopened flights between different parts of the country. Flights have been banned since July and they waited until they were in good shape to allow it again.
The USA should be doing the same, restricting flights between states, but freedumb. I think many Americans have proven they won’t be responsible enough if you leave things open but tell them not to visit those places. They will visit, maskless in large numbers, which is why the government has to step in and shut down these ways people are transmitting the virus at an uncontrolled rate.
I’m so sorry about your friend.
“I think many Americans have proven they won’t be responsible.”
This.
People are not staying home even in states with stay home/no gatherings mandates. I don’t know what the next steps are but the hope that the US as a country can implement and have compliance with a lock down approach like New Zealand is not realistic. It simply is not going to happen if the measures are all mostly voluntary *and* only happening in certain parts of the country.
@Case this is exactly what I was just about to ask. I realize it’s probably a stupid question and the answers are “capitalism” and “greed,” but since we are in the throes of a worldwide pandemic, why haven’t flights been either banned or cut back significantly? If Australia can do it, why can’t we? It reminds me of how guns were banned immediately in New Zealand after ONE mass shooting. WTF is wrong with America?
Clearly Americans aren’t going to do the right thing on their own; millions of them have proven to be stupid and selfish. But if there simply weren’t any flights available, so much of this could be avoided. It seems to me that there should be some way of regulating them at a time like this and only allowing travel for certain essential people/reasons, for example, servicemen and women returning home? It’s mind-boggling to me that the airlines are continuing with business as usual. And I feel so sorry for the flight attendants who have to put their lives and health at risk for these morons. The companies they work for clearly don’t care about the well-being of their employees. I wish they would all go on strike.
I’ve always believed that deep down, most people are good, but the past four years has showed me how untrue that is. I will never be able to have a shred of faith in humanity again after seeing how this country has behaved w/r/t Donald Trump, BLM, and this unbelievably selfish attitude toward a highly contagious, fatal disease. They simply do. not. care. if they pass Covid along to someone who could die, or suffer serious, lifelong health issues. Because they can’t miss one fcking turkey dinner?! I will never understand.
As a military family we have spent the last 13 out of 14 Thanksgivings just us. I prefer it this way.
My daughter is a college student and her school closed from the Thanksgiving break all the way until January in an attempt to mitigate any spread, so she flew home on Friday after a negative test and she’ll be here until January. Even though she flew Friday, she’s not technically a Thanksgiving traveler. She’s homeless until January if she didn’t come home. Thankfully she’s an Olympic level social distancer.
My daughter flew home from college on Thursday. She’ll be home for 2 months. We had her tested, also. I don’t understand the need for non essential travel. You could t pay me to get on a flight now.
I wonder how many of the travelers were college kids. I bet a lot. Not all, because some Americans are just gonna do what they want to do because they want to, but I’m wondering if a large percentage of travelers were kids in your daughter’s position. School shutting down for the holiday or holidays and they had to travel to get back home. One of the photos in the post looks like a bunch of college aged guys all traveling alone. I guess it all depends on what those kids do when they get home. And I guess we wouldn’t be in this position of kids having to fly home during the peek of a pandemic if schools were all virtual to begin with.
My husband and his sister finally convinced his mom that we should not get together last night! I’m so relieved
So sorry for your loss. Nunny sounds like she was an amazing woman.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We spend the whole weekend laughing, eating, playing games and shopping. I hate that we can’t all get together. It just sucks but you have to be safe
I don’t understand why this is so difficult to sit out. And Thanksgiving is MY holiday. I love it. I love just being cozy in a warm house packed with my family who I love and eating a good meal. What’s most important to my family is that we don’t sicken and potentially kill each other this year. Why would you want to even risk that?
There have been holidays where I live where it’s snowing so badly that everyone has to stay home. We do it so none of us risk getting killed in a car accident on a slippery road with bad visibility. This really isn’t any different. We’ll all be fine sitting this out.
Thank you, my friend, for this fitting tribute to our beloved Nunny. Now, I’m going to go and throw a can of soda at Cumby in her honor.
I work in healthcare and my husband is a chef, so I literally don’t remember the last time in our nineteen years of marriage that we spent Thanksgiving Day together, we celebrate ours on the following Sunday after he gets home from work.
I keep telling my mom that I’m willing to skip seeing them on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year so that we’re all around to celebrate and be thankful together next year. We’re ALL suffering from not being around our loved ones, from being isolated, from living in this constant state of anxiety and fear. People that say “I don’t care, I’m going anyway, it’s tradition” make me sick with their selfishness.
A lovely tribute to your friend, I’m genuinely sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. RIP Nunny.
What would happen if these assholes were ever asked to make REAL sacrifices? If this were WWII and rationing was in effect, they’d probably hand the country over to Hitler in exchange for a full-size Hershey bar and a pair of nylons.
That’s what I wonder too. I really thought we were better than this-but people’s selfishness and stubborn stupidity is just rampant.
@Miranda: Americans have really shown themselves to be some of the most moronic, selfish people on this planet. There is no way they would pull together and make sacrifices in the situation you described.
They love to constantly scream about how “patriotic” they are, yet they won’t make one single personal sacrifice for their fellow countrymen. They refuse to skip one stupid turkey dinner.
@Lorelei The truth. Ugh. In the 90s I was glad for my American passport to escape a military coup-ridden country, but now I just feel ashamed and nauseous to even identify myself as American, not that I *ever* believed the hype. Too much history and present truth about this country’s abominable human rights record, and the many, many incidents of staging coups to disrupt democracy in countries worldwide. And so much more. But this year has really taken the cake. Selfish, self-serving, rude, and so many other things that aren’t polite to write here, but I swear, this country is just going to go down, down in a swirl of toxic phlegm of its own making.
Truth x 1000000
I’m so sorry about Nunny. She sounds like an awesome human being.
I’m staying home and kicking back on thanksgiving and Black Friday. Maple butter pancakes on thanksgiving morning and no side dish of covid like those selfish people in the pics are having. There’s no reason to get onto an airplane in these times, IMO either miss it and wait for next year or if you absolutely have to go, drive to your destination. We are supposed to be higher up on the intelligence chain than lemmings.
I’m making two nice sage and thyme cornish game hens with all the fixings and giving one to my mom to enjoy. Have to make a trip out to the store today to pick up a few more things.
I’m so sorry for your loss, and ours’.
RIP Escaped Convict.
You will forever hold a place in my heart for your hatred of White Christmas. Always.
Just F.Y.I it’s Escaped Convent, hence the nickname Nunny. I didn’t know her but think that’s a clever username !
You are right. Spellcheck gets me every time.
Kids staying put for Thanksgiving. Just me and my husband this year with the spawn on Zoom. They will come home for Christmas and quarantine and test. In January, we head for the Bahamas, do our quarantine(s) and testing, and then stay put there indefinitely.
I’m so angry at the people refusing to wear masks. My boyfriend’s sister is a manager at a Sbux in Indiana – heavy Trump territory. People have been refusing to wear masks in her store and guess what? 11/30 employees just tested positive 😡😡 she’s waiting on her results. Corporate closed the store but that’s only because there aren’t enough people to work. People are *dying* and for what? Because some awful, entitled jerks can’t put a piece of fabric over their face when getting their coffee? Because people must eat a dry bird and some pie? I just…it makes me weep.
And I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend.
That was beautifully written Hecate, thank you. A lovely remembrance for Nunny.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. It sounds like she was a wonderful person.
I am disgusted by the actions of my fellow Americans. My fellow citizens, I can’t believe you’re traveling. I can’t believe you think it’s somehow okay to get together with other households for Thanksgiving.
And before anyone accuses me of being heartless/just not understanding how much you need to see your families: I haven’t seen my family in eleven months and I miss them so much that I sometimes burst into tears without warning.
But I’m staying away from them because I love them, and because they live two or three flights away and it isn’t safe to travel; I’m in good health and I have every reason to believe that I would survive covid, but I’m scared of becoming a covid long-hauler and if I got sick I could easily infect someone who wouldn’t survive.
My condolences on the loss to you and the community. Nunny sounds fabulous! May her memory be a blessing.
I am so sorry for your loss, she sounded like a very special person. I’ve been a CB lurker for a few years now, and occasionally comment, and it is such a great community. I’ve been battling some pretty awful anxiety/depression especially lately, and checking the site daily is a highlight of my day. Thank you <3
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Nunny. She sounds like a treasure to have known and had in your lives.
I spent a few Thanksgivings by myself in college. My university was too far from home and my family and I did not have enough money for me to come home. To ward off the loneliness I used the time to teach myself how to cook every Thanksgiving type food from scratch, study, and relax. My roommates were thrilled to come back to tons of food as we’d go almost right into finals after Thanksgiving. While I did miss my family, I look back and am grateful that I had that time to myself. This is a time of thanks and makes me a bit sad that people cannot look beyond their own wants to be grateful for what they have right where they are without endangering others.
Hecate, that was a truly lovely, heartwarming testament to your friend.
Came here to say the same thing. I’m sorry for your loss, and hope other CB readers stay safe this Thanksgiving and beyond.
I’m so very sorry for the loss of Nunny, may she rest in peace. I’ve been here since almost day one and, like so many have said, it’s my happy place, a port in a storm. Especially these four years. I’m glad you all connected irl, that is so sweet. May her memory be a blessing.
This is driving me nuts. My kids have been schooling remotely recently because of increased Covid rates in our district. They are supposed to get back to school next week but I don’t see that happening after Thanksgiving. The teachers have been asking all the kids about their plans for the holiday and I’ve been gritting my teeth through the Zooms finding out that the MAJORITY are either traveling to or receiving family from out of town/state. FFS.
RIP escaped convent and nunny. My state clamped down on indoor dining and gyms. Huzzah! I noted that even though a travel advisory/warning was issued. It was only a “suggestion” to quarantine if you traveled out of or back into the state. All the so called q anon idiots and treasonous in name only patriots were traveling back and forth from their red states of choice and not quarantining afterwards. A group of women i know went to another state to attend some country music show, came back didn’t quarantine, got other’s sick and instead of owning up to their mistake and apologizing for the world of grief they wrought upon other’s – they doubled down. Not surprised by their lying, disgusting, low down behavior I was however, shocked to see how many reasonable people went to great lengths to defend these selfish white women’s actions.
In CO, 1 in 41 people are infected. I’m not going anywhere. How can you relax at a gathering knowing you could be carrying it asymptotically?
@Daphne That’s one of my biggest fears, too. I don’t want to get sick, but I can’t bear the thought of getting someone else sick. My loved ones especially but everyone with whom I come into contact. The dear mail person who risks so much every day for everyone in this building and beyond, the grocery clerks who I know and care about even if we’re just on first name basis and say hello once every week or so in line, my neighbors, everyone. I would never want to be the cause of someone’s death and especially not because of poor choices. sigh…I’m just so, so tired. I try to speak up but I’m afraid now that someone in this building is going to try to attack me because I asked the wrong person to mask up. 🙁
Im sad about canceling Christmas plans too but I was just talking to a friend about this today (via text obviously lol) and we were saying that in the grand scheme of our whole entire lives, a year of this pandemic shit (hopefully things are better by next Christmas!) isn’t THAT bad. It’s one year of our life. We can do it people!
Dear dear Hecate, thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to Nunny! I am so sad today. She was truly a fine friend and a breath of fresh air. I miss you guys and will light a candle in everyone’s honor but especially hers.
That was a lovely tribute to nunny.
Two of my aunts invited me over for thanksgiving. One lives an hour away and the other one is about 20mins. I passed on both. The one who lives an hour away has not been taking the pandemic seriously at all even though she’s 74 and only has half a lung due to cancer. The 20min apart one is scared to leave her house but has friends dropping by to drop off supplies.
I know everyone says it, but I literally haven’t gone anywhere (other than the grocery store and occasional runs to the beach when I can bother to get some exercise). I haven’t seen any friends or family irl since March. I live with my sister, who drives me nuts because she’ll be here for a couple days and then she’ll spend weeks with her bf or friends. She’s not a considerate bubble buddy at all. We’re both in our twenties with no underlying health problems, but why risk it? Plus I would feel horrible if my behavior caused someone else to get sick. My parents want to come visit for Xmas, but I feel that they shouldn’t. They live in Texas, we live in California – both states have the highest COVID rates. But the own the house that I live in, so it’s not like I can tell them not to come.
I’m very surprised that people are shocked that thanksgiving and Xmas will be different this year. Have they not been paying attention to the news? I knew since the summer that I won’t be going to anyone’s thanksgiving or Xmas get together.
In countries like Taiwan and New Zealand, you have to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive even if you test negative. Here people think a negative test means you can do whatever the f you like. The UK just reduced their quarantine time from 14 days to 5 to encourage Xmas travel. It’s like some countries don’t want to get rid of the virus.
I 100% agree with you. Better to play it safe. We don’t know the long term effects of this virus on the human body. Why risk it? I hate how a lot of countries are dealing with the pandemic. So many of them are acting as if it’s ok to celebrate Christmas and we’ll just deal with the increase in cases after. Come on ! I live in Canada, and Quebec is relaxing rules just so people can celebrate Christmas. Why is Christmas more important than any other holiday? Why is Christmas more important than public safety? If we had all been taking this virus seriously, the pandemic would have been over long ago. I’m jealous of New Zealand. They are one of the only countries that got things right. They are living NORMAL lives right now.
What a nice tribute to your friend. I’m sorry for your loss.
@Hecate, this was a lovely tribute and my heart aches for your loss.
“But whatever you do, don’t watch White Christmas, she f*cking hated that movie.”
She had good taste. “Holiday Inn” is a better Yule watch. 😈😉 A toast to Nunny, whose life was fabulous! 🍷😢
congrats on the incoming explosion in cases, I guess