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A 2023 Thanksgiving weekend guide to COVID-19, flu, and RSV Editor's note: We are republishing this edition of the newsletter from last week, given that so many Americans are now finalizing their plans for the coming holiday weekend. We'll also be pausing this newsletter for the duration of the holiday starting tomorrow. We wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving, and will be back with you next Monday, Nov. 27.  The holiday season brings lots of fun, festive, joyful occasions—but it can also introduce a minefield of public-health dilemmas, as months of travel, parties, and family visits throw gasoline on the fire of respiratory-disease season. So I called in a couple experts to help put together your cheat sheet for dealing with COVID-19, flu, and RSV this winter. Here’s some of what they said: If you’re not boosted already, get your shot ASAP. An updated COVID-19 booster came out in September, and it’s worth getting if you haven’t had or been vaccinated against COVID-19 recently. Get it as soon as you can, since it takes about two weeks to take full effect. Yes, you still have to isolate if you catch COVID-19. It may feel like the pandemic is behind us, but health authorities still say anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay away from others—and avoid travel, gatherings, and public places—for at least five days, then stay masked up for another five. But also, remember other diseases exist. COVID-19 is still a big threat, but flu and RSV are also on the rise right now. Flu shots are recommended for almost everyone, and you can get yours at the same time as your COVID-19 booster. There’s also a newly approved RSV vaccine for elderly adults and pregnant people. READ THE REST Share This Story

What Else to Read Thanksgiving Food Waste Is Nothing To Celebrate. But There Are Ways To Combat It By Emily Barone Americans waste nearly three times more food on Thanksgiving than on a typical day. Here's how to deal with leftovers. Read More » 8 Historical Moments More Important to Native Americans Than the ‘First Thanksgiving’ By Olivia B. Waxman These moments in history hold more significance to Native Americans than the 'First Thanksgiving.' Read More » 5 Myths About Thanksgiving Food—Debunked By Angela Haupt Does turkey really make you tired? Is light meat much healthier than dark? Read More » The Many Ways We Have Failed Young People Amid the Gun Violence Crisis By Donovan McAbee The overwhelming number of deaths from gun violence keeps us from turning our apathy into action, writes Donovan McAbee. Read More » Why We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving By Emelyn Rude The bird has long been the holiday's star Read More » How Solar Sales Bros Threaten the Green Energy Transition By Alana Semuels Social media and the promise of profits has fueled an army of young men to go out and spread misinformation in the residential solar industry. Read More »

An Expert Quote "If [you test positive for COVID-19, flu, or RSV and live in] the same household as someone who is over the age of 65, younger than 2, or has an immune-comprosing condition, it’s probably a good idea to stay away from others and mask inside the house. But if everyone in the house is generally healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations, I think the requirement for strict isolation inside of a household is a little more gray." —Matthew Binnicker, director of clinical virology at the Mayo Clinic

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