Planning for the Holidays

[Galway Eagle]

Anybody here trying to figure out ways to have some semblance of a normal Christmas or Thanksgiving?

My family just started trying to figure out a way to do Christmas Eve still figured if anyone has strategies it'd be a good place to bounce ideas off each other.

[Spotcheck Billy]

We've already crossed Thanksgiving off, no one in immediate family wants to risk getting together. My 89yo mother still has us get her groceries etc.
We haven't heard if Trick or Treat will be held here but we have decided we will not be participating other than giving small gift bags to the next door neighbor's kids.

[Jockey]

No get together for X-mas this year.

Gathering is always at our house, so I get the final decisions.

No hardcore trumpers in the family = no disagreement over not getting together.

[🏀]

The holiday spirit is dead, much like the soul of this once great society.


Eat at Arby’s.

[Uncle Rico]

Sister isn’t flying in for thanksgiving or Xmas.  Small gathering this year on my end

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

No large family gatherings for us this year. They may still happen but without us.

[Galway Eagle]

Thanksgiving has been completely nixed.

We had discussed doing a Christkindlemart style outdoor family party in a backyard. Obviously very weather dependent but doing Christmas lights overhead, outdoor christmas tree, hot drinks, etc it's a seemingly safe way to get everyone to have a celebration assuming nobody gets cold after a few drinks and goes indoors.

[MUfan12]

Thanksgiving it will likely just be my parents and brother at our house.

Extended family on my dad's side doesn't care about risk, and will still have a normal Christmas Eve. We won't be attending, and I'm debating how hard of a line to take with my folks on it.

[Billy Hoyle]

no way I'm getting on plane. My family is a 5 hour flight away.

Besides, no matter who wins the Presidential election on November 3 this country is going to be a dystopian hellscape when the other side loses their goddamn minds so staying inside is the way I'm going.

[GooooMarquette]

Nothing big for us this year. Too many elderly family members, and frankly too much risk even for others. The virus is way too widespread, and things will likely get worse in the coming months.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Both holidays are normally just my wife and I and the 2 kids plus my mom and my mother-in-law.  No mother-in-law this year because she's not making her normal international holiday travel from Poland.   Just 5.

[ATL MU Warrior]

My elderly mother is pissed because we are not packing up the family and flying to NE for family Christmas. I told her she’s out of her mind for thinking we’d even consider doing so. She has multiple underlying health issues but, with the help of Fox News has convinced herself that it would all be fine. This despite a 30 year career as a nurse.

We do have my sister-in-law and her college aged son coming up from FL. But that will be all.

[mu_hilltopper]

Thanksgiving .. cancelled.  Christmas .. cancelled.

We'd given some thought to maybe all of us getting tested but .. the logistics are nuts.

I've lived in WI for 30 years now .. I've spent zero Christmases and .. two Thanksgivings here.   Gonna be odd.  And sad.

[Marquette Fan]

I think Thanksgiving and Christmas will just be my husband, kids and I at home.  This will be the first time ever I'm not with my parents at Christmas .  I haven't seen my parents in person since last Chrisstmas and am not sure when/if that will happen again.  My Dad has had some health issues so my parents are nervous about us exposing them to Covid.  We were going to visit them at the end of the month but how poorly Wisconsin is doing with the number of Covid cases made them reconsider our visit.  And as of now, we couldn't technically go for the long weekend we wanted to anyway as they live in a state that is requiring a 14 day quarantine for people from Wisconsin.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

We are thinking about locking down the week+ before Christmas so we can see family.

[The Lens]

We are thinking about locking down the week+ before Christmas so we can see family.

Our grade school is going full virtual for the 2 weeks before Christmas so that teachers / students can get in a 14 day Quarantine in the event they want to go see family for the Holidays.

[MUBurrow]

Thanks for starting this thread Galway.  While everyone's circumstances are going to be different, I already really appreciate seeing what other similarly-situated folks are doing.

We've pretty much ruled out any Thanksgiving get together, but that probably would have happened anyway due to work schedules.  Christmas is kind of an elephant in the room at the moment but the closer it gets the less likely any type of gatherings seem.  But I'm interested to see what creative solutions others are coming up with.

[4everwarriors]

Kansell Turkey dey, kansell xmas, chanukah, and qwansa. Blast da 'hole fookin' kountry and ekonomy into da stratosphere wit know gravity. Let da vid kontrol y'all's lives, hey?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

We are thinking about locking down the week+ before Christmas so we can see family.

I should say that I think we will be doing something similar.  But the issue I have is that I doubt many family members will be doing the same.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Kansell Turkey dey, kansell xmas, chanukah, and qwansa. Blast da 'hole fookin' kountry and ekonomy into da stratosphere wit know gravity. Let da vid kontrol y'all's lives, hey?

I mean, we're still buying presents for people.

And it's like you aren't paying attention.  People proclaiming they aren't going to let Covid control their lives, are by and large the ones responsible for the ridiculous situation we find ourselves in now.

[tower912]

Late 70's parents opting out of both.   50-something siblings still undecided.

[MUBurrow]

Kansell Turkey dey, kansell xmas, chanukah, and qwansa. Blast da 'hole fookin' kountry and ekonomy into da stratosphere wit know gravity. Let da vid kontrol y'all's lives, hey?

Have Christmas as usual. That'll show da vid.

Killing grandma to own the libs is back baby.

[Uncle Rico]

Kansell Turkey dey, kansell xmas, chanukah, and qwansa. Blast da 'hole fookin' kountry and ekonomy into da stratosphere wit know gravity. Let da vid kontrol y'all's lives, hey?

Haven’t seen anyone advocate that in this thread.  Have seen people say they’re doing things differently this year and adjusting to a pandemic. 

[Skatastrophy]

Starting to get pressure from our "this is a hoax" relatives to get together, but they have been travelling as well as going out to bars this whole time.

We are, instead, going to have a friendsmas with people in Chicago that we know are taking this seriously. Probably get takeout from Alinea for Thanksgiving, but no plans for xmas yet. The pro-plauge relative are mad, but they are always mad about something these days. 

[GooooMarquette]

Kansell Turkey dey, kansell xmas, chanukah, and qwansa. Blast da 'hole fookin' kountry and ekonomy into da stratosphere wit know gravity. Let da vid kontrol y'all's lives, hey?

Nah, better for everyone to just go on living their lives. Like Herman Cain.

Oh, wait....

[The Lens]

I’ve been to a funeral for very healthy grandma who gave into pressure for “just this once” graduation party in May. And I have another friend with a Mom who just suffered a Covid induced stroke.  She was a “this is a hoax” gal up until she had no feeling in the left side of her body.

It ain’t about Kansell-ing, it’s about surviving.

[tower912]

The two firefighters I work with will not be seeing their mothers this Christmas, as both mothers died from COVID.

[The Lens]

I’ve been to a funeral for very healthy grandma who gave into pressure for “just this once” graduation party in May. And I have another friend with a Mom who just suffered a Covid induced stroke.  She was a “this is a hoax” gal up until she had no feeling in the left side of her body.

It ain’t about Kansell-ing, it’s about surviving.

And let me just say, I’m not at all afraid of this disease.  I eat out 2-3 times a week (90% outdoors), my kids are in school face to face 5 days a week, they all play their normal sports and we socialize outdoors pretty extensively with friend / neighbors.   

But pack 25 family members into someone’s living room in December to open up presents?  No thanks. 

[Jockey]

Have Christmas as usual. That'll show da vid.

Killing grandma to own the libs is back baby.

Hey! We’ll miss the guy.

Won’t we?

[4everwarriors]

C'mon Goo, you, more so than probably anyone else on this board, know that co-morbidities play a huge role in the outcome of covid positive patients. Cain certainly had his share. Quit feeding the media driven paranoia and hysteria, hey?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

C'mon Goo, you, more so than probably anyone else on this board, know that co-morbidities play a huge role in the outcome of covid positive patients. Cain certainly had his share. Quit feeding the media driven paranoia and hysteria, hey?

So do many of my family members.

[GooooMarquette]

C'mon Goo, you, more so than probably anyone else on this board, know that co-morbidities play a huge role in the outcome of covid positive patients. Cain certainly had his share. Quit feeding the media driven paranoia and hysteria, hey?

Yeah, but I also know a huge portion of the US population is overweight or obese, heart and lung disease is widespread, and lots of peoples' grandmas and grandpas have a big bullseye on 'em just due to age. Herman Cain's comorbidities are just a microcosm of the US....

[rocky_warrior]

Quit feeding the media driven paranoia and hysteria, hey?

Could you please expound on the "hysteria"?  What exactly is the media telling us we shouldn't do that you think people should be doing?

Most here are dining outside, supporting local businesses when possible, planning small holiday gatherings, and some are even going to the dentist (gasp!)

If you're gonna throw a fit, please describe the problem precisely.

[4everwarriors]

I'm not advocating negligence in one's behavior with regards to everyday activities. However, we all know people who literally won't see their adult children, won't go to the store, won't dine outside, won't surface from their bunker, or have sex with their spouse without wearing a mask. This is literally crazy behavior.
Literally for 7 months now, covid is the lead story on the news. Economies are being shut down, jobs lost, and relationships severed. Insanity? Of course, its nuts. Can anyone "control" the virus? Not until there's a vaccine. But, vaccines are only about 50% effective when protecting against the flu. Why do we think the efficacy vs. covid will be any greater.
Bottom line--learn to navigate during these times and proceed about your business. Make level headed decisions and don't let the virus control your every move. We've all paid an astronomical price already, hey?

[Galway Eagle]

or have sex with their spouse without wearing a mask. This is literally crazy behavior.

Wow did you just shame bondage masks, furries and masquerade orgies? Rude.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I'm not advocating negligence in one's behavior with regards to everyday activities. However, we all know people who literally won't see their adult children, won't go to the store, won't dine outside, won't surface from their bunker, or have sex with their spouse without wearing a mask. This is literally crazy behavior.
Literally for 7 months now, covid is the lead story on the news. Economies are being shut down, jobs lost, and relationships severed. Insanity? Of course, its nuts. Can anyone "control" the virus? Not until there's a vaccine. But, vaccines are only about 50% effective when protecting against the flu. Why do we think the efficacy vs. covid will be any greater.
Bottom line--learn to navigate during these times and proceed about your business. Make level headed decisions and don't let the virus control your every move. We've all paid an astronomical price already, hey?

So you've decided to go full hyperbole when no one is suggesting that the virus should control their every move.

People are saying that having dozens of people gathering together in someone's house is probably not a good idea for the Holidays.  I mean, people have caught this thing going to family funerals and weddings.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are similar right?

We will celebrate with our adult children.  We won't be doing extended celebrations with our brothers, sisters, neices, nephews, etc.  It sucks because I enjoy our gatherings, but it's just not worth it.

And I go to work everyday.  Go to the store.  Out to eat on occasion.  Planning to go to dinner at another couple's on Saturday.  So yeah, I am not in a bunker by any means.

[rocky_warrior]

However, we all know people who literally won't see their adult children, won't go to the store, won't dine outside, won't surface from their bunker, or have sex with their spouse without wearing a mask. This is literally crazy behavior.

I actually know NONE of those people.  And I live in a super "liberal" area.  Actually, two super liberal areas, but that's a different story.  Maybe you're talking about crazy conservatives with actual bunkers?  I donno.

I also don't think I've seen any Scoop members saying those things.  And that's not what the "extreme left media" is saying either.  So, maybe take your frustration out with all the people that you actually know that are, well, literally crazy. 

[Hards Alumni]

I actually know NONE of those people.  And I live in a super "liberal" area.  Actually, two super liberal areas, but that's a different story.  Maybe you're talking about crazy conservatives with actual bunkers?  I donno.

I also don't think I've seen any Scoop members saying those things.  And that's not what the "extreme left media" is saying either.  So, maybe take your frustration out with all the people that you actually know that are, well, literally crazy.

+1.  To me it sounds like he is buying into the media he consumes.

[GooooMarquette]

I actually know NONE of those people.  And I live in a super "liberal" area.  Actually, two super liberal areas, but that's a different story.  Maybe you're talking about crazy conservatives with actual bunkers?  I donno.

I also don't think I've seen any Scoop members saying those things.  And that's not what the "extreme left media" is saying either.  So, maybe take your frustration out with all the people that you actually know that are, well, literally crazy.

+2 I have not talked to a single person who is taking it anywhere near that far.

[Pakuni]

I actually know NONE of those people.  And I live in a super "liberal" area.  Actually, two super liberal areas, but that's a different story.  Maybe you're talking about crazy conservatives with actual bunkers?  I donno.

I also don't think I've seen any Scoop members saying those things.  And that's not what the "extreme left media" is saying either.  So, maybe take your frustration out with all the people that you actually know that are, well, literally crazy.

+3. I don’t know any of these people.

[🏀]

I actually know NONE of those people.  And I live in a super "liberal" area.  Actually, two super liberal areas, but that's a different story.  Maybe you're talking about crazy conservatives with actual bunkers?  I donno.

I also don't think I've seen any Scoop members saying those things.  And that's not what the "extreme left media" is saying either.  So, maybe take your frustration out with all the people that you actually know that are, well, literally crazy. 

Never heard of these people, someone needs to turn off the cable news and enjoy life responsibly.

No co-morbidities 4ever? Age is surely getting up there, BMI holding good? Lots of meat eating going on between you and your fellow Marquette boys, heart’s in tip-top shape?

[4everwarriors]

Physiologically 25 yo, hey?

[shoothoops]

C'mon Goo, you, more so than probably anyone else on this board, know that co-morbidities play a huge role in the outcome of covid positive patients. Cain certainly had his share. Quit feeding the media driven paranoia and hysteria, hey?

I believe many people would prefer to not be dying of COVID-19 at rates higher than 18 other high income countries. I believe many would like to see some basic competence.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/10/13/923253681/americans-are-dying-in-the-pandemic-at-rates-far-higher-than-in-other-countries?utm_term=nprnews&utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

[mu_hilltopper]

I'm not advocating negligence in one's behavior with regards to everyday activities. However, we all know people who literally won't see their adult children, won't go to the store, won't dine outside, won't surface from their bunker, or have sex with their spouse without wearing a mask. This is literally crazy behavior.

As others have said .. I don't know anyone like what you are describing.   -- But indeed, I know they exist.   People who go overboard on risk-aversion exist.  It's clear they are a minority.

Their extreme, minority behavior is similar to the bozos going to packed political rallies with no masks.   

At least the risk-averse are not adding to the pandemic, which is nice.

[MUBurrow]

I'm not advocating negligence in one's behavior with regards to everyday activities. However, we all know people who literally won't see their adult children, won't go to the store, won't dine outside, won't surface from their bunker, or have sex with their spouse without wearing a mask. This is literally crazy behavior.
Literally for 7 months now, covid is the lead story on the news. Economies are being shut down, jobs lost, and relationships severed. Insanity? Of course, its nuts. Can anyone "control" the virus? Not until there's a vaccine. But, vaccines are only about 50% effective when protecting against the flu. Why do we think the efficacy vs. covid will be any greater.
Bottom line--learn to navigate during these times and proceed about your business. Make level headed decisions and don't let the virus control your every move. We've all paid an astronomical price already, hey?

Thanks for the follow up. I share your reservations about vaccine efficacy. My hope is that this thing goes out with a whimper via a combination of a reasonably effective vaccine, with repetitive doses for individuals with significant comorbidities if necessary, and the virus not mutating and losing potency over time. 

For me the most difficult part of navigating this is never being more than a degree or two from folks with pretty serious comorbidities.  I suspect that's the case for most scoopers, more than personal fear of what the virus would do to them, and the fatigue of how to navigate what "being responsible" means in that context is very real. Professionally, my partner and I both have jobs that require us to come into contact with older folks on a pretty regular basis and that plays a huge role in our personal choices, on top of the standard "how to be a good citizen in the covid age" questions.  I don't say that to sound like a martyr - my motivation to protect my own conscience is enough to shift responsible behavior from altruistic to selfish.  But aside from guidance on masks, large gatherings, etc., we're all kind of figuring this out as we go, so I appreciate as many data points on the tough calls on the margins as I can get.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I will try to get this back on track from the pontification.

We are staying local this year even though traditionally we would travel to see family out of state (usually alternate).  We will likely see our family that is local, which includes some of the older set.  Until recently the virus has been pretty under control here, making these choices a little more casual, but depending on the path of this uptick, we will probably decide to make our circle smaller leading into the weeks preceding Thanksgiving and Christmas - just to be a little more certain.

[lawdog77]

We usually go to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, so that's obviously not going to happen. May try to deep fry a turkey. Tower, can I have you on speed dial?

[tower912]

Just don't.   But if you do, have somebody record it.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

As others have said .. I don't know anyone like what you are describing.   -- But indeed, I know they exist.   People who go overboard on risk-aversion exist.  It's clear they are a minority.

Their extreme, minority behavior is similar to the bozos going to packed political rallies with no masks.   

At least the risk-averse are not adding to the pandemic, which is nice.

My boss hasnt left her house or yard since March.  She wont go to a park to walk her dog.  Wont go to a store, won't go to the woods, nothing.

She's a little nutty in normal times, but not too bad.  Now, ....yikes.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

My boss hasnt left her house or yard since March.  She wont go to a park to walk her dog.  Wont go to a store, won't go to the woods, nothing.

She's a little nutty in normal times, but not too bad.  Now, ....yikes.

But does she have sex with a mask on?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

But does she have sex with a mask on?

We haven't broached that subject on zoom yet.  I'll keep you posted though.   

[GooooMarquette]

My boss hasnt left her house or yard since March.  She wont go to a park to walk her dog.  Wont go to a store, won't go to the woods, nothing.

The only people I know like that are my mom and in-laws...all with very good reason.

Mom is 91 with hypertension and congestive heart failure; FIL is 90 with chronic respiratory issues; MIL is 80 with obesity and hypertension. I'll give them a pass.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I don't say that to sound like a martyr - my motivation to protect my own conscience is enough to shift responsible behavior from altruistic to selfish.
[/quote]
I disagree that your motives are selfish just because they stem from the desire not to kill people.

This is a question of basic Citizenship. And many are not only failing their basic duties as citizens, they are doing so while giving the middle finger to everyone they come into contact with.

[real chili 83]

My boss hasnt left her house or yard since March.  She wont go to a park to walk her dog.  Wont go to a store, won't go to the woods, nothing.

She's a little nutty in normal times, but not too bad.  Now, ....yikes.

See, see, see, 4Never is right.  See, told ya so, told ya so.

[cheebs09]

We’re definitely on the more conservative side due to a newborn at home. Only seeing friends outside, not really doing outdoor restaurants, and keeping store visits to a minimum.

I think any holiday is going to be limited to just our parents and siblings. Thanksgiving has already been cancelled for extended family.

[Hards Alumni]

My boss hasnt left her house or yard since March.  She wont go to a park to walk her dog.  Wont go to a store, won't go to the woods, nothing.

She's a little nutty in normal times, but not too bad.  Now, ....yikes.

That is a lot nutty... unless she has some major underlying problems that you're unaware of.

[lawdog77]

My boss hasnt left her house or yard since March.  She wont go to a park to walk her dog.  Wont go to a store, won't go to the woods, nothing.

She's a little nutty in normal times, but not too bad.  Now, ....yikes.

Is this a euphemism?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Is this a euphemism?

For hiking in an isolated location.

I haven't asked but im guessing the poop is being done at home.

[Warriors4ever]

I have friends who successfully navigated a weekend with their daughter and her family this summer, and the son-in-law is a PT who worked with Covid patients. They all agreed in advance to protocols that included wearing masks at all times unless eating, and keeping socially distant. They kept to them too.

[GooooMarquette]

I have friends who successfully navigated a weekend with their daughter and her family this summer, and the son-in-law is a PT who worked with Covid patients. They all agreed in advance to protocols that included wearing masks at all times unless eating, and keeping socially distant. They kept to them too.

If someone is going to get together with relatives, that certainly is a sensible way to do it.

[pbiflyer]

I actually know NONE of those people.  And I live in a super "liberal" area.  Actually, two super liberal areas, but that's a different story.  Maybe you're talking about crazy conservatives with actual bunkers?  I donno.

I also don't think I've seen any Scoop members saying those things.  And that's not what the "extreme left media" is saying either.  So, maybe take your frustration out with all the people that you actually know that are, well, literally crazy.

Well, there was one guy who hunkered down in his bunler and still got it. So did his wife and child and many of his employees.

[🏀]

Well, there was one guy who hunkered down in his bunler and still got it. So did his wife and child and many of his employees.

Did you hear about the guy that got stung by a wasp that ate a flower that was pollinated by a fly whose father got trapped by a spider net that started COVID?

His whole family was fine. They were racing  UTV with the other unvaccinated home schooled kids that are years behind developmentally.