Coronavirus: Millions travel for Thanksgiving despite warnings

Millions of Americans are already travelling home to celebrate Thanksgiving, despite warnings from health officials amid a significant wave of coronavirus cases and deaths.

Thanksgiving, traditionally a large family get-together that rivals Christmas in size, is on Thursday.

Three million people are reported to have already travelled through US airports from Friday to Sunday.

But the number is around half the usual figure for Thanksgiving travel.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious diseases expert, told CBS News that people in airports “are going to get us into even more trouble than we’re in right now”.https://emp.bbc.com/emp/SMPj/2.36.6/iframe.htmlmedia captionDr Anthony Fauci asks families to weigh up the risks of their Thanksgiving plans

The number of people flying in the US is the highest since mid-March, when the virus started to spread rapidly in the country.

But millions of Americans are also making huge personal sacrifices to stay at home this year. Some of our readers have been sharing their stories with us.

‘I’m sad I won’t be able to see my grandma’

We are used to family gatherings. Not being able to spend holidays with family – especially not visiting parents – is hard, but it’s the right and responsible thing to do. We want them around. 

Our families have been understanding about our desire not to travel this year. My husband and I will have just one friend over, who has been part of our ‘bubble’ all year. 

I am staying home and avoiding any unnecessary travel or contact with other people. Normally we travel to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with our family. I’m sad I will not be able to see my grandma. I miss being in their presence. 

bbc