Here’s what the experts say on how to stay safe this Thanksgiving:

Stay home. 

State health officials, health care workers, and Governor Tim Walz are begging Minnesotans to stay home this Thanksgiving. And that’s because Minnesota’s coronavirus situation is changing for the worse every day. 

Right now, we’re on track to see 10,000 new COVID-19 cases per day by Thanksgiving.

We’re seeing a major spike not only in positive cases, but also in hospitalizations, ICU care, and deaths. Health care workers are getting sick, exhausted, and struggling to care for everyone who needs it. And that’s why state health officials are urging Minnesotans to stay home and celebrate the holiday with people only within their immediate households. 

That new guidance also applies to college students who are planning to travel home for the holidays. Health officials are urging Minnesotans to avoid any travel.

This is not the situation that anyone wants. To have to avoid seeing friends and family over the holidays is a big sacrifice. But that sacrifice is also temporary. And it can help to save lives and protect our health care workers who are working around the clock to keep us safe and healthy as we try to get this pandemic under control.