A Third Of Americans—And Most Republicans—Will Spend Thanksgiving With People Outside Their Household, Study Finds

Topline

Tens of millions of Americans will spend Thanksgiving with friends or family from outside their household, even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to reach new heights in the United States, according to a study from Harvard researchers, but political affiliation seems to play a big difference in holiday plans.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“Holiday travel and family gatherings could douse more gasoline on an epidemic that already seems to be out of control,” said Laura Wronski, manager of research science at SurveyMonkey. 

Chief Critics

Health experts are strongly advising against traditional Thanksgiving gatherings, warning that small gatherings are serving to fuel the current record spread. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official, said he does not plan to gather with his children for the holiday.

Key Background

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to reach new record levels in the United States. More than 160,000 new infections on average are now being recorded on a daily basis, according to Johns Hopkins University—over four times more than any other country. A new hospitalization record has also been set every day for a week straight, according to The Covid Tracking Project, reaching 73,014 on Monday—the first time hospitalizations have ever topped 70,000. Deaths, which lag behind increases in cases and hospitalizations, have been on a steady rise since mid-October, with the death toll now averaging over 1,000 per day, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

What To Watch For

Covid cases have consistently spiked starting a few weeks after holidays that typically feature large gatherings. Cases spiked after Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Cases were already spiking on Halloween, with gatherings then appearing to accelerate the case rise.

Further Reading

Dr. Fauci: “My Thanksgiving is going to look very different this year” (Forbes)

Texas Again Sets Record For New Coronavirus Cases, And The Governor Says Memorial Day May Be To Blame (Forbes)

Maskless Parties And Crowded Beaches Across U.S. As Coronavirus Spikes Over Holiday Weekend (Forbes)

Fauci Was Right: Covid-19 Cases Are Rising Again Following Labor Day Weekend Travel (Forbes)

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