If you insist on meeting with family this Thanksgiving, here's my wishlist for you:
-pulse oximeter: my husband is usually a 97, but he hit 91 and was almost hospitalized. It was agony checking his oxygen multiple times a day while praying that my kids and I wouldn't get covid.

-latex free disposable gloves and disposable plates/utensils: I had to prepare three meals a day for my family and bring food to my husband. He was so sick, he often could barely eat. He lost 20 pounds in two weeks. Getting out of bed required a huge effort. Masks are a given.

Lysol spray/wipes if you can get them: Cleaning surfaces becomes a full-time job because you worry about the virus spreading. You worry when you accidentally touch your face. You worry when you go grocery shopping at 7 a.m. to avoid people bc that you might transmit the virus.

Antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer: You will wash your hands all the time to the point where they are cracked and bleeding. Lotion does not help. Ointment relieves the dry skin and pain for a bit. I used a lot of hand sanitizer in the beginning, but switched to soap later on.

Emergency health services numbers: I was fortunate bc my brother is an ER dr so I was able to message him 3-5 times a day. He was sick in March when racist people were treating Asian people at the beginning of 2020 as if they were the only covid carriers...it still continues.

Support: I was too scared to reach out to other people because I didn't know how they would react. Luckily, I was immediately immersed in love and concern as soon as the word spread. You are not alone in this.

I would sit outside my bedroom where my husband was quarantine and cry after my kids went to bed bc I didn't want them to know how bad it was.

I thought I was going to lose him. He played hockey every week. 10 days after his last game, he almost passed out in the shower.

Think about whether your family gathering is worth it as the numbers rise ever higher.

Keep your family safe.

It's not too late to change your plans.