Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s might, and in some cases will, look a little bit strange this year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In fact, the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be virtual for spectators to safely view on the NBC Network. The Macy’s website says, “Since we aren’t marching down the streets of NYC this year, the only place to see all the performances, gigantic balloons & fabulous floats is from the comfort & safety of your home.” The New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square will also look different, with the Times Square website saying “Jeff Straus, President of Countdown Entertainment, noted that, “We will miss everyone this year but we will bring our celebration to you, whether you want to turn off and turn away from the bad news of 2020, or turn to the new year with a sense of hope, renewal and resolution, you’ll be able to join us virtually like never before as part of the Times Square 2021 celebration.”

On Thursday, the CDC recommended it is not the best idea to travel this holiday season saying, “As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with.”

Nurse Patsy Galvan Soto, nurse at Central Catholic, talks about tips she has for staying safe this holiday season, and about returning to school safely from the holidays. “I think if we start on phase one and everyone coming in healthy… We are trying to get people not to travel but it is hard,” she says.

Phase one is only a part of the plan Central’s faculty has in place. It is their “return to learn” plan for this school year.

“I think that’s the best thing we could have done,” Nurse Soto says.

Her recommendations for family celebrations, are simple. “I think if it’s just their immediate household, I think everybody should use the same precautions we use everyday- washing hands… and if you’re gathering with more than ten people, I recommend if you all are inside to wear your masks, wash your hands, keep socially distanced… You know don’t try to do big gatherings. I don’t think that’s the right thing to do even if you’re going to be outside.”

She also says, “I think you have to be very cautious.”

Of course, with all this, many experts are saying colder weather could be a factor into both flu season, and the pandemic. Turkey should still be enjoyed, and gifts can still be exchanged, but done so with caution this holiday season.