Jake Tapper, CNN’s chief Washington Correspondent suggested that Christmas is “probably not gonna be possible” for Americans as he interviewed Dr Anthony Fauci who confirmed Covid restrictions will last well into next year.
As medical experts warn about future COVID-19 spikes caused by widespread indoor holiday gatherings. Dr. Fauci has already told families to eat outside, wear masks for Thanksgiving and avoid visiting other families or inviting others into their homes. Michigan and Washington on Sunday introduced new lockdowns that will run through Thanksgiving banning large family gatherings, and more states are likely to follow.
During his conversation with Tapper on Sunday night, Dr. Fauci warned that even with the deployment of an effective COVID-19 vaccine, a return to normality will rely on huge numbers of vulnerable Americans taking it in massive numbers and wearing masks and social distancing could still be required for some time.
“So, not until the second or third quarter of 2021, though? Christmas is probably not going to be possible?” Tapper asked.
Fauci told CNN: “Yes, I’m – well, I think that, if we get most of the country vaccinated in the second, third quarter of the year, and the vaccine continues to prove its efficacy, and people adhere to those fundamental measures, I think we can start approaching the degree [of normality]- it’s not going to be a light switch, Jake.”
“We are not going to turn it on and off, going from where we are to completely normal. It’s going to be a gradual accrual of more normality as the weeks and the months go by, as we get well into 2021.”
CNN's Jake Tapper this morning: "Christmas is probably not gonna be possible." pic.twitter.com/z56ifNCr3G
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 15, 2020
“I would recommend to people not to abandon all public health measures just because you’ve been vaccinated,” Fauci said. “Because even though for the general population it might be 90 to 95 percent effective, you don’t necessarily know for you how effective it is.”
“I can feel more relaxed in essentially not having the stringency that we have right now, but I think abandoning it completely would not be a good idea.”
Fauci told Yahoo News last month that people will have to make “their individual choice” when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving and visiting family.
“Each individual family needs to make the decision based upon the risk situation in your own family,” he explained.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted its COVID-19-related Thanksgiving guidance and advised “staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others,” but if you “must” travel, to be aware of the risks involved.
The CDC’s idea of a low-risk way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year would be to have a small dinner with only the people who live in your household and prepare meals for higher-risk friends and family that can be delivered. It also suggests having a virtual dinner.