New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is telling city residents they shouldn’t travel at all this holiday season, calling it “very sad.”
“I have to urge all New Yorkers: do not travel out of state for the holidays,” he said Tuesday. “Do not travel to a state with a high infection rate. Do not travel to a country with a high infection rate.”
The mayor went on to say residents should get COVID-19 tests if they do defy his request to stay at home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. He also reminded New Yorkers of the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those who return to the city after traveling outside the state.
Traveling, he said, is dangerous.
“You could be putting your family and yourself in danger and bringing the disease back here,” he argued. “Everyone is going to make their own decision. I know they are painful choices. I get it. But my recommendation is to avoid travel this holiday season. Stay safe to keep us all safe.”
De Blasio said he and his family will not travel during the holidays.
“It’s very sad,” the progressive mayor said. “This may be the one year in our life we have to change our patterns. Just take a deep breath and know that next year will be better.”
Researchers at Harvard University said in April that, unless there is a proven and widely available vaccine for COVID-19, social distancing measures — to include school closures, bans on gatherings, and stay-at-home orders — may need to remain in place until 2022. The epidemiologists went on to argue that, even if there is an “apparent elimination” of the virus, “surveillance should be maintained since a resurgence in contagion could be possible as late as 2024.”
Drug manufacturer Pfizer announced earlier this month it could seek an emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as the end of November.
What else?
De Blasio’s comments against holiday travel come days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced far-reaching restrictions for Thanksgiving Day.
The progressive governor said no more than three households can assemble at one time. Newsom has also asked Thanksgiving meal hosts to collect the names and contact information of everyone who attends their respective events, which are to be held outdoors with everyone wearing masks and maintaining a 6-foot distance from one another in every direction at all times.
Newsom went on to say Thanksgiving attenders should wear masks in between bites and noted singing is “strongly discouraged.”
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