SAN ANTONIO ā Health experts are encouraging people to avoid large gatherings this Thanksgiving to avoid spreading COVID-19 as cases surge across the United States.
Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Ph.D., is a local epidemiologist. She says this year has been intense for everyone in the health care field.
āWe just have a lot that weāre trying to figure out,ā she said.
Rohr-Allegrini is also the CEO of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and spends much of her time monitoring local COVID-19 data.
However, she hopes to take a break from her busy schedule on her favorite holiday.
āItās a meaning of coming together -- of people joining of different cultures -- and to celebrate what they have and to share it most importantly,ā Rohr-Allegrini said.
Rohr-Allegrini said her Thanksgiving tradition is to host friends and neighbors from different cultures and walks of life.
She also spends time preparing a turkey for every dinner she hosts.
This year, her Thanksgiving will look drastically different as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Bexar County and throughout the U.S.
āItās really hard to be isolated for Thanksgiving. Itās just so contrary to what the meaning of Thanksgiving is,ā Rohr-Allegrini said.
She plans to trade a large gathering for an intimate one with her husband and two kids.
āWeāll find something else to do thatās the four of us, and weāre fortunate enough to have each other,ā Rohr-Allegrini said.
She also plans to check in on her friends and family virtually. She believes itās a safer alternative instead of mixing households, which could increase the risk of getting COVID-19.
āI want to hug people. I want to give kisses to my relatives, but thatās just going to have to wait,ā she said.
Rohr-Allegrini said it wouldnāt be a typical Thanksgiving for families but believes being physically apart doesnāt mean they canāt be emotionally together.
āJust have a human connection that doesnāt have to be physical,ā she said.