Thanksgiving is Different This Year for Mesothelioma Patients

• David Belsky
• Featured News

Each year at this time we celebrate Thanksgiving. Since the Pilgrims started this tradition it is a time to share and be grateful for our blessings. As Thanksgiving 2021 rapidly approaches, we reflect on what this year’s holiday means to ourselves and our loved ones and to our collective community.  

As we all know, what makes this year different from last year and previous celebrations of Thanksgiving is the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, 2020, was pre-vaccination. A lot of people had small celebrations and stayed home. This year with vaccinations available we take a step closer to what normal used to be.

Thanksgiving traditionally involves family gatherings, turkey dinners, and for some travel to relatives for the celebrations. The gatherings are times that families and friends can reconnect.  Although not all Thanksgiving celebrations and memories are as picture perfect as we would like, they are all our own unique families with our different opinions gathering and interacting.

According to a recent survey from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the mood that most U.S adults described toward Thanksgiving 2021 was “cautious.” 

There are some indicators that Thanksgiving celebrations are getting back to normal. According to recent reports, travel is returning to pre-Pandemic levels. The same poll says that 63% of Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving with the same number of people as they did before the coronavirus pandemic, with 5% saying there will be more people attending their Thanksgiving this year compared to pre-pandemic times. Once people get to their destinations they may find that the hosts for their celebrations are asking about their vaccination status. Another recent survey tells us that half of all Americans plan to inquire about their potential guests’ vaccination status. Covid 19 negative tests will be required by 46% from unvaccinated friends and families.

As we all adjust to the “new normal,” for our Thanksgiving celebrations we celebrate and give thanks for progress that continues to be made in fighting malignant mesothelioma. All of us can take the lessons of the past year and a half and turn them into something positive. Appreciate each other and our relationships. Be thankful!

No matter how you choose to celebrate, stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving!