WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci says Americans should rethink their usual plans for Thanksgiving gatherings, citing increased coronavirus infections and hospitalizations.
Fauci told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday that given the rise in cases, "we've really got to double down on fundamental public health measures that we talk about every day because they can make a difference."
As for Thanksgiving, when millions of Americans travel to gather with families and friends, Fauci says this November may need to be different. "We really have to be careful this time that each individual family evaluates the risk-benefit."
In an interview with CBS, Fauci went even further, saying "...you may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering unless you're pretty certain that the people that you're dealing with are not infected."
Fauci said his own children will not be celebrating the holiday with him this year as they worry about his age and his exposure to COVID-19 through them.
The U.S. government's top infectious disease expert says its especially important because people traveling over the holiday often pass through crowded transportation hubs such as airports.
"If you have vulnerable people, the elderly or people that have underlying conditions, you better consider whether you want to do that now or maybe just forestall it and wait," Fauci says.
