Share Your Thanksgiving, Holiday Shopping Plans In Virginia Patch Survey

VIRGINIA — As more Virginians get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the number of new cases are trending down, it looks like residents can expect a more typical Thanksgiving season this year compared to 2020.

Unlike last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isn't recommending against holiday gatherings and travel. The CDC only recommends COVID-19 precautions so you can gather safely with friends, family and loved ones over the holidays. Guidelines include getting vaccinated, celebrating outdoors whenever possible and wearing a mask.

In Virginia, COVID-19 cases have been trending down after an increase in the late summer. While the seven-day average of cases reached 3,734 on Sept. 13, the average is now 1,152 as of Nov. 5, according to Virginia Department of Health data.

A significant portion of Virginians are vaccinated this Thanksgiving, while vaccinations didn't begin until mid-December for limited groups. In addition, children ages 5 to 11 recently became eligible for pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and some have gotten their first doses. In Virginia, 63.6 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. Of the 5,429,271 fully vaccinated people in Virginia, 838,748 have gotten boosters (about 15.4 percent of the fully vaccinated).

Nevertheless, Virginians may be faced with another challenge this holiday season. Supply chain backups and higher energy costs are contributed to increasing prices in the U.S. in October, according to the Washington Post. Holiday shopping typically starts right after Thanksgiving, but worker shortages and supply chain issues are prompting shipping services and retailers to encourage buying or shipping gifts early.

With COVID-19 and supply chain issues in mind, Virginia Patch wants to hear from you. Take our survey on your Thanksgiving and holiday shopping plans. How do you plan to spend Thanksgiving, and will your plans be impacted by COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions?

Our survey will be open until 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15. Results will be shared the following day.

This survey is meant to be an informal collection of Virginians' opinions. It is not a scientific survey and its results should not be used as such.

If you cannot see the survey below, click here.