With Cautious Optimism, Celebrate Thanksgiving | News, Sports, Jobs

Many families here and in most other parts of the United States are returning to their traditional Thanksgiving celebrations today, supported by cautious vaccine-based optimism that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over.

The worst may be over, but for many families whose members still struggle with the lingering after-effects of the virus – memories of family members or friends who lost their battle with COVID-19, or some suffering survivors. still ongoing physical challenges stemming from their illness – Thanksgiving 2021 will not be near a triumphant return to normal.

Still, cautious optimism is probably the most notable item on the menu for this holiday in most homes, slightly ahead of or slightly behind the traditional holiday meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, of cranberry sauce, a favorite vegetable and a favorite drink.

Some current seniors old enough to remember Thanksgiving Day 1944 probably remember the cautious optimism that prevailed that day as the end of World War II seemed to reach a proverbial horizon.

For Altoona, however, a tragic incident on November 17 at the Central Court building on town’s Fourth Street in which Rhonda Jean Russell, a Blair County Corrections officer, was killed, shattered. which should have been a positive anticipation for today’s vacation.

On this day, which focuses on the concepts of gratitude and appreciation, the people of the county should be aware of Russell’s dedication to the important tasks she performs on a daily basis in her job. Likewise, they should reflect on the grief and loss that Russell’s family and friends feel today as they struggle to recover from the shock and emptiness the November 17 incident inflicted on them in a moment.

For most families who do not suffer tragedy and loss that day, an extension of President George Washington’s statement of October 1789 setting aside November 26 of this year as a day to express his gratitude for the creation of the United States of America, today will be a return home to a semblance of life as it was before the pandemic.

Vacation travel has seen a resurgence, despite persistent challenges the airline industry continues to face.

Despite some lingering unease, many families are opting for larger Thanksgiving meals than they chose last year.

It is important to recognize, however, that people in parts of the country where vaccinations have fallen behind are not going on a pre-pandemic type vacation because of all the illness and suffering that surrounds them.

Anne Marie Chaker, a Wall Street Journal writer, observed in an article published on November 17 that “People are tired of pandemic precautions and feel safer coming together now that vaccines are available to everyone except children under 5. “

However, a big question now is whether there will be another spike in COVID cases with direct links to today’s holiday gatherings.

Around the same time last year, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans not to travel on Thanksgiving, and many families heeded this advice.

But this year is different.

For most households, the best advice today is to enjoy the holidays, but with the knowledge that an enemy remains alive, albeit considerably limited.

Do your vital part to make sure Thanksgiving 2022 will be much better than it is today.