As the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving this week, health officials from across Franklin County say they plan to celebrate in the way that makes the most sense for their families.
“As the pandemic has been shifting … one of the things that (the Massachusetts Department of Public Health) and (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are) asking is for people to better assess their own risks,” said Maureen O’Reilly, Franklin Regional Council of Governments community health educator and epidemiologist.
For some, that means a return to “normal” while still exercising caution, while for others, that means continuing to modify family traditions.
“I have a pretty big family,” said Whately Board of Health member Mike Archibald, who also serves as a public health nurse for the Foothills Health District, which includes Goshen, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Whately. “We decided to have three separate Thanksgivings in three separate places. … We’ll try to connect remotely at different points in the meal.”
He added that certain guests, namely his mother-in-law and his young grandchildren, will likely wear masks when they’re not actively eating. Additionally, like many other area health officials, the plan is for people to take COVID-19 tests before arriving at a dinner host’s home.
“Testing can pick up asymptomatic cases,” O’Reilly said. “A lot of us are able to get free tests through our insurance, so why not use that tool?”
Many private insurance companies cover up to eight rapid tests per person, per month. MassHealth and Medicare cover the same amount, according to medicare.gov.
O’Reilly said that while her group of seven to 15 people won’t necessarily be masked for the holiday itself, the plan is to exercise caution beforehand.
“My mom sent out a text message to our guest list … requesting we indoor mask in public settings and avoid restaurant dining starting Sunday before Thanksgiving,” she said. “That way we have a few days of extra protection.”
FRCOG Public Health Nurse Meg Ryan said that, thanks to COVID-19 vaccination and boosters, she’s looking forward to a more traditional meal with her children and their partners. They’ll go for a hike and share a meal indoors, she said.
“I feel like with vaccinations and treatments available, we’re ready to be inside, unmasked, as long as we’re very mindful of any possible symptoms,” she said.
Ryan noted that with the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) more prevalent this time of year, it isn’t just COVID-19 that people should have on their radar.
“One thing I think we’ve all learned during the pandemic is to stay home when you’re sick,” she said.
Speaking from Baystate Health on Monday afternoon, Dr. Armando Paez, chief of the Infectious Disease Division, said as people head into the holiday season, the “ideal situation” is to be vaccinated and up-to-date on boosters. That includes flu and COVID-19.
RSV does not have a vaccine, he said, so the guidance is to wear a mask when experiencing respiratory virus-like symptoms or when someone around you is experiencing those symptoms. Paez recommended this precautionary measure in particular for folks who are 75 years and older, young children and immunocompromised individuals.
“Particularly in public or close gatherings, if you’re in a space you cannot be assured that the ones beside you, near you or within 6 feet have some respiratory infection,” he said.
Paez said that as of Monday, the Baystate Health system has 88 patients who tested positive for COVID, eight of whom are in the intensive care unit. At Baystate Franklin Medical Center, there are seven patients with a positive COVID test.
Paez clarified that of those 88 patients, not all were admitted for treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. In fact, across the state, of all hospitalized patients who have COVID-19, only about one-third are admitted for treatment of COVID-19 symptoms.
Overall, he said, COVID-19 numbers are at a plateau. If there’s a post-holiday surge, he hopes it isn’t as significant as past surges. The virus is beginning to behave more like other endemic respiratory viruses, he noted.
Ryan said that after a couple years of modified holiday celebrations due to COVID-19, “it’s wonderful” to be back to some degree of normal.
“Isn’t that what life’s about, celebrating holidays with the family?” she said. “But if something comes up, we’re ready to go back to the backyard with a fire pit or make alternative arrangements.”
For details on the CDC’s guidance on exposure risk, visit bit.ly/3tLpaH5.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.