SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – As families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, medical professionals are offering advice to help travelers stay healthy during what AAA predicts will be a record-breaking travel season.
J.D. Buckridge of Clever plans to host a family at his home this year, continuing a longtime tradition.
“Typically, everyone comes to me and we do the big spread and very traditional and we just have a good time,” Buckridge said.
His children will join the more than 81 million people AAA says will travel for Thanksgiving this year. The organization estimates 73 million will travel by car and at least six million by plane.
Health risks increase during holiday travel
Mercy Doctor Sami Hourieh said while cold air itself does not cause illness, there is a correlation between colder months, large gatherings, and enclosed travel spaces.
“Even though they may not be sick, they may have a virus on them. They cough, they sneeze, they touch a surface, and then you happen to touch it or breathe in that virus. You can get sick,” Hourieh said. “Certainly, closed areas with high contact with other people, you’re at an increased risk for sure.”
Hourieh recommends several precautions to reduce the risk of severe illness or infection. People should consider getting vaccinated for flu, RSV, or COVID-19 if appropriate for their situation. Regular exercise and a healthy diet with nutrients like Vitamin C and zinc help maintain a healthy immune system.
Good hygiene practices include washing hands frequently with soap. Air travelers should consider wearing an N95 mask to prevent breathing in viruses.
Protecting high-risk family members
For those who do become ill during the holidays, Hourieh advises caution around vulnerable family members.
“You got the holidays. You want to be with family members. But, especially those high-risk members, you want to try to avoid them if you are sick. That’s going to be the very young and the very old who are at increased risk,” Hourieh said.
Buckridge said his family took precautions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while still maintaining their gathering tradition.
“When COVID season was here and it was strong, we stayed in like a lot of people did. But we did still gather as a family, and we made sure that we were safe,” Buckridge said.
This year, Buckridge’s Thanksgiving guests are healthy.
“Everyone is healthy and safe. And so, we’re very blessed,” Buckridge said.
The health tips will apply again during the Christmas travel season. Medical professionals recommend consulting with doctors about appropriate vaccinations and preventive measures.
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