Contact investigators have found that in many cases, COVID-19 is caught when sharing meals. But with Thanksgiving a celebration of congregating and giving thanks over a meal, and Guam still considered high-risk, this year's traditions won't be the same. Here's a breakdown on how you and your family can celebrate safely this holiday season.

This Thanksgiving, the people of Guam are asked to spread love, spread thanks, but do not spread coronavirus. When you put down your mask, you put down your guard.

"The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with those within your household," explained Adelup press secretary, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, reminding the community of the governor's executive order which permits gatherings of no more than five people. However in the event you have a household smaller than five, and you want to have someone over, be mindful that it stays under five people.

"We encourage families to if they have larger families to celebrate via Zoom to maybe drop dishes to one another in a safe way," she suggested. 

 

Families are also encouraged to do outdoor dining and to use disposable utensils and plates as preventative measures. DPHSS Spokesperson, Janela Carerra chimed in saying that it's during the asymptomatic phase that the virus is most easily spread.

" You may feel fine and you go and visit your friends your family especially during Thanksgiving which is why people really do want to visit you know their grandmother their mother their family members but you may not realize you could be spreading the virus," she said.

And although it may not be the traditional Thanksgiving, Paco-San Agustin the community that with the decrease in cases comes the possibility of lifted restrictions come Christmas.

"There's a light at the end of the tunnel that at the end of the year we're seeing the car score is decrease we're starting to see hospitalizations starts to go on a decline and so let's not undo that progress let's you know stay the course and that's why Thanksgiving it really it's so important that we stay within our household can't stress that enough," she said.

If you do decide to have guests over, you're urged to have safety conversations ahead of time, to set expectations. Also, to disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use, and if you do celebrate indoors, open windows to allow proper air circulation.