Thanksgiving Plans During Coronavirus: Take Virginia Patch Survey

VIRGINIA — The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, and plans may look a little different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Families will be deciding if they'll limit Thanksgiving dinner to their households or inviting extended family with precautions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the safest way to celebrate is with people in your household.

For those that celebrate with others, the CDC has guidance to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19. The CDC recommends wearing a mask over your nose and mouth except when eating and drinking. Individuals should maintain six feet of distance from people who they don't live with, especially people who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Other suggestions include small outdoor meals with family and friends, limiting the number of guests, using single-use options like plastic utensils, and opening windows for indoor meals.

Virginia and other states have seen coronavirus cases and hospitalizations increase ahead of the holiday. Gov. Ralph Northam said the situation in Virginia is less severe than in other U.S. states but introduced new restrictions to keep it from getting worse. The restriction that affects Thanksgiving celebrations is a limit on indoor and outdoor social gatherings of 25 people.

With these data trends and health guidance in mind, we want to know what our readers in Virginia are planning for the Thanksgiving holiday. Does the pandemic affect how you will celebrate? What kind of measures are you planning to keep family and friends safe?

The survey is anonymous and will be only used to show collective results. It will be open through noon on Friday, Nov. 20. A results story will be shared after the survey closes.

If you cannot see the survey below, click here.