It’s hard to believe it, but the world has spent an entire year dealing with COVID-19. Throughout the year, so much had to change in order to help keep us safe from COVID-19. As the holidays begin, students were asked how they were planning to celebrate the holidays even with coronavirus, starting with Thanksgiving. Most people are used to huge celebrations for Thanksgiving, with extended family coming to visit, or with them going off to different states to see one another. This year, many people were forced to stay home. 

Though many people were having small Thanksgivings so that they could stay safe, Thomas Ellis ‘23 was having a small Thanksgiving to keep others safe. He said that he was having “a small Thanksgiving gathering alone this year because I was in close contact with someone with the virus. I am celebrating only with my immediate family. Though it isn’t a favorable situation, this is what must be done so that everyone can stay safe.”  Another student, Marcel Stewart ‘22, is in a similar situation. “Normally I go to Florida and spend Thanksgiving break with the rest of my family down there, but for obvious reasons I won’t be able to do so this year.” Like Thomas, Marcel plans on staying home and spending time with his immediate family. 

For some other students, however, Thanksgiving is one of the only times during the year that they are able to see their extended family. As a result, some people are trying to stay safe while also visiting family. Jaden Willie ‘23 did this when he went to visit his family in Boston for Thanksgiving. “Everyone in my family has been socially distancing and haven’t invited anyone home so we can have Thanksgiving.” Jaden also said that they would mostly remain outside, and when they are inside they would be masked. “Though it sucks that we have to stay masked, I’m able to see my whole family, so it evens out.” COVID-19 has reminded us all how much we need our family.

Others are trying to maintain contact with their family online. Alex Brennan ‘23 was one of the students who did so. “My family used FaceTime to talk to some of my extended family because we weren’t able to see them. We also made a Zoom for the whole family so that my grandparents could see everyone.” Though Alex celebrated his Thanksgiving in North Carolina, his immediate family is socially distancing to keep themselves and his relatives safe. “Normally, I go up to Connecticut to see my extended family and spend the Thanksgiving break plus a few extra days up there with everyone. This year, though, everyone had dinner by themselves.”

2020 has been extremely difficult. Not being able to see our friends and family has been tough, not just for Thanksgiving, but for this whole cursed year. Regardless of how bad things seem right now, we must continue to stay hopeful. Things will get better, and that’s what the holiday season is meant for this year; to remind ourselves of the good times and to stay positive in these trying times.