Special edition: Experts on staying safe during Thanksgiving

The latest advice from epidemiologists, public health experts and researchers͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising against Thanksgiving travel as COVID-19 cases rise and after U.S. deaths surpassed 250,000 this week. Today, we bring you a collection of recent stories that explain not only how to stay safe, but the scientific and medical explanations behind certain measures. While these are scary times, we know that medical and scientific advances will pull us through – along with compassion and kindness for one another as we await them.

Lynne Anderson

Senior Health + Medicine Editor

Today's newsletter supported by you, our readers

While it may be deflating, events like the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are best watched from home this year. Here, the Harold the Fireman balloon lies face down as he readied for the parade on Nov. 27, 2019. Gary Hershorn via Getty Images

As CDC warns against Thanksgiving travel, here are a dozen more things you can do to help stop COVID-19

Pamela M. Aaltonen, Purdue University

Inaction over the next few months could cost tens of thousands of lives. Here are things you should do now to stay safe and to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Health and science

Keeping indoor air clean can reduce the chance of spreading coronavirus

Shelly Miller, University of Colorado Boulder

Being indoors with other people is a recipe for spreading the coronavirus. But removing airborne particles through proper ventilation and air filtration can reduce some of that risk.
How to host a safe holiday meal during coronavirus – an epidemiologist explains her personal plans

Melissa Hawkins, American University

COVID-19 and holiday family gatherings are not a good pair. But taking the right precautions before, during and after the family gets together can greatly reduce coronavirus risk this holiday season.
Why face masks belong at your Thanksgiving gathering – 7 things you need to know about wearing them

Jason Farley, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

More states are adding mask mandates as COVID-19 cases soar. If you’re traveling, shopping or seeing friends and family in person, masks are a crucial protective measure.
An epidemiologist explains the new CDC guidance on 15 minutes of exposure and what it means for you

Ryan Malosh, University of Michigan

New guidance from the CDC says that 15 minutes of exposure – regardless of whether that occurs at one time – can result in transmission of the coronavirus.
When COVID-19 superspreaders are talking, where you sit in the room matters

Suresh Dhaniyala, Clarkson University

Experiments in college classrooms show how tiny respiratory droplets known as aerosols can spread, even with good ventilation. The risk isn't the same in every seat.
Being outdoors doesn’t mean you’re safe from COVID-19 – a White House event showed what not to do

Thomas A. Russo, University at Buffalo

The outdoors is less risky than an enclosed room, but it isn't a COVID-19-free zone. Here's what you need to know.
How mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna work, why they’re a breakthrough and why they need to be kept so cold

Sanjay Mishra, Vanderbilt University

There are two new COVID-19 vaccines that appear to be more than 90% effective. But what are these vaccines, and how are they different from those used previously?

Special edition: Experts on staying safe during Thanksgiving

As CDC warns against Thanksgiving travel, here are a dozen more things you can do to help stop COVID-19

Health and science

Keeping indoor air clean can reduce the chance of spreading coronavirus

How to host a safe holiday meal during coronavirus – an epidemiologist explains her personal plans

Why face masks belong at your Thanksgiving gathering – 7 things you need to know about wearing them

An epidemiologist explains the new CDC guidance on 15 minutes of exposure and what it means for you

When COVID-19 superspreaders are talking, where you sit in the room matters

Being outdoors doesn’t mean you’re safe from COVID-19 – a White House event showed what not to do

How mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna work, why they’re a breakthrough and why they need to be kept so cold

Older messages

Inside a rural hospital battling COVID-19

What to do about information overload

Why Trump's Pentagon purge is so dangerous

It's too expensive to retire for many Blacks and Latinos

Synthetic antibodies are a powerful therapy for COVID-19

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