Family traditions are a staple during the holidays. Whether it’s having a big dinner with your loved ones on Christmas or watching the Macy’s parade, they are arguably the best part of the holiday season. Since Covid-19 cases are rapidly increasing, the holidays will look different this year.

Usually, around this time of year, people all over the country are looking forward to the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. Everyone’s used to the large groups of joyful people filling the streets of New York while viewing the floats drive by. This year, the parade will be fully virtual with pre-recorded tapes of live performances done by Noah Cyrus, Pentatonix and many more. Although the signature floats will still be there, it’ll be one block long with no audience. 

Sophomore Ellie Davis says the virus isn’t affecting her much because she usually celebrates the holidays with her family that she lives with. She says her and her family have been social distancing and quarantining for the past nine months so things will relatively be normal. 

“Although, we do have some traditions for Thanksgiving that include going out, but we won’t be able to do those anymore due to them being cancelled,” Davis said. “Usually, I like to spend a day around Christmas with my best friend, but sadly we won’t be able to do that this year.”

Another difference is that there will be a limit of 10 people per gathering all throughout the country. 

Many health officials are recommending families to stay home for the holidays and to smaller groups. If not, then they recommend everyone to quarantine for two weeks after spending the holidays in a large group. 

If possible, the CDC also recommends everyone to have an outdoors celebration to minimize the risk of catching COVID-19. 

“My family and I usually spend the day with multiple families but unfortunately, that won’t be the case this year,” sophomore Hannah Vaughn said. “I’m still really excited for the holidays, but it will be a little different.”

Sophomore Rahiel Berhe says one of the most special parts of the holidays is being with your family and it will be quite odd this year. 

“It’s definitely going to be different than what I’m used to but, on the bright side, my aunt and uncle are coming over, so I’m looking forward to seeing them during the holidays because it will give me a sense of normalcy during these crazy times,” Berhe said.

A large portion of health officials are calling the upcoming months “the darkest time of the pandemic” because of all the large gatherings that will be predicted to happen. The CDC recently advised that Americans not travel for Thanksgiving as already 250,000 Americans have died from Covid-19.

Everyone is left to make the best of the holidays from home, for the sake of everyone’s health.