Ho Ho Home!

By Jessica Singh ('22)

We all enjoy spending time with our friends and family for the holidays. Group gatherings and dinners are what makes the holiday season special for many. Unfortunately this year, celebrations will look much different than what we’re used to. To keep the spread of COVID-19 under control until a vaccine is ready, public officials and healthcare workers advise us to stay home and celebrate virtually.

White House Advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, tells us that he won’t be having his daughters home for Thanksgiving this year. According to CNBC News, Fauci says that the areas they are living in have a rising number of cases, and they all agreed it would be best to celebrate through a Zoom call instead. Fauci continues to say that each family situation is different, so we must consider each one individually, according to who we’re spending time with and where we are going. According to Fauci, “Some people in this country are going to be able to have a relatively normal type of a Thanksgiving, but in other areas, you better hold off.” With the number of rising cases in Rockland, we are one of these areas advised to celebrate from afar.

Alexandra MacAlpin (‘22) and her family plan to celebrate the holidays safely this year. “For Thanksgiving, I celebrated with my immediate family instead of going and spending time with my extended family. I wish I could have had a big gathering, but I understand it’s for the best that we had a small gathering.” 

Despite all of the setbacks that come with the celebrations this year, here are a few ways that you can celebrate the holidays at home:

• Take advantage of technology at your fingertips! We live in a day and age where we can reach out to whomever we want at an instant. Host a family/group video call this holiday season and keep in contact with those you would normally see in person.

• Shop online this year. To avoid the large crowds in stores and in the malls, browse the offers available online to keep you and your family safe, as well as your gift recipients!

• Find a way to watch all your traditional events and parades virtually. Skip the crowds this year and partake in these traditions from the safety of your home!

• Practice gratitude for all that we have. We have all lost something in 2020, but let’s take the time to remember and consider what we still have. 

Many individuals have taken this time of quarantine and isolation to reflect on themselves and to grow, not only as a person, but also as a member of the community! This positive growth should not stop at the end of quarantine, but should continue on after the pandemic is over.

We have hope for the near future, as a vaccine should come soon. As of now, patience is key. Let’s celebrate this holiday season at home... together!