Travis County officials repeated warnings about Thanksgiving gatherings at a meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court on Nov. 24, cautioning that events involving people from multiple households come with high coronavirus transmission risks. Dr. Jason Pickett, alternate health authority for the city of Austin and the county, urged those who went ahead with multi-household gatherings to take precautions such as celebrating outside and wearing masks.
“We recommend that you don’t gather with people you do not live with. If you decide to do so, there are steps you can take to reduce that risk,” Pickett said. “We’ve seen families that were devastated by gatherings after Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and we don’t want to see that same thing happen after Thanksgiving as well.”
Pickett acknowledged that the holiday represented a “desire to get together” during a year in which social isolation has placed a burden on mental health, but urged vigilance.
“We all crave that togetherness, especially at a time that is so unprecedented and has been so stressful on everybody,” Pickett said. “Understand that there are some activities that are higher risk, and gathering indoors in large groups without masks is about the highest risk thing that you can do.”
