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I gotta say, I was a little surprised by where/how this piece ended. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/opinion/covid-bubble-thanksgiving-family.html?referringSource=articleShare
I appreciate the honesty, I guess. I've seen the "travel shaming" the author references & I get it & I also get that everyone making choices that feel right for them.
but something abt publicly declaring one's decision to be based more on "emotion than empirical data" feels
.
but something abt publicly declaring one's decision to be based more on "emotion than empirical data" feels
.
all year, I expected to make it home for thanksgiving. I thought with enough planning & forethought & caution, maybe it would be possible to mitigate risk enough for me to feel okay going home. that hope sustained me this year â the longest I've ever gone without seeing my fam.
I planned to quarantine for two weeks, pack up road munchies, and drive the 300 miles from cambridge to sojo in a single shot, with bae and I trading off driving when we needed a break. earlier this month, I sent a lengthy email to the fam, outlining our preparation plan.
the plan was for everyone (mom + sis @ home in NJ, other sis living alone in NYC, me and bae in MA) to quarantine for two weeks, & to also get tested between days 8-11 of quarantine. quarantine meant no going into stores, no takeout (delivery only), no socially distanced meetups.
we also planned to quarantine post-thanksgiving. my mother (who has health issues) discussed the plan w/ her doctor, who commended our careful planning.
but this week, I called off that plan. I decided any added risk â to my loved ones, or anyone â feels like too much right now.
but this week, I called off that plan. I decided any added risk â to my loved ones, or anyone â feels like too much right now.
giving up on in-person thanksgiving broke my heart. my mom injured herself and had to rush to the doctor this morning and I want nothing more than to walk back my decision, drive home next week, and be with her.
but instead, I'm holding on to the hope of safe holidays next year.
but instead, I'm holding on to the hope of safe holidays next year.
anyway, I guess I'm just sharing this bc somewhere btwn the "shame me if you must, I'm doing thanksgiving anyway" & the "y'all risking death/disease to see family you complain about??" are those of us who acknowledge not traveling is necessary but are nonetheless gutted about it.
my mama just texted me to say she loves me & is proud of me (
) & I am simultaneously so sad Iâm not going to get to hug that woman next week & so affirmed that the hard choice was the right one, for us.
but god, I hope we get this pandemic under some semblance of control soon.
) & I am simultaneously so sad Iâm not going to get to hug that woman next week & so affirmed that the hard choice was the right one, for us.but god, I hope we get this pandemic under some semblance of control soon.
