As we enter the holiday season, it's imperative that we stay connected while staying safe. For many people, Thanksgiving is the time of the year to travel to our hometowns, reconnect with extended family, and enjoy a buffet of home-cooked meals. Unfortunately, that's going to look a little different this year.

Here are some recommended strategies to enjoy a safer Thanksgiving during the pandemic:

1. Consider a remote gathering. As much as we want to get together in real life, the safest option is to host a virtual celebration. While this is unusual, having each household log into a Zoom meeting and enjoy their meals separately, we are able to stay connected and stay safe at the same time.
2. Host a small outdoor gathering. It's much safer to gather in small groups outdoors than indoors; therefore, if you're planning on inviting a few loved ones outside of your household, make sure to follow all the usual guidance for slowing the spread of the virus. That means maintaining social distance, wearing a mask, setting up socially-distanced chairs and tables, and having hand sanitizer readily available.
3. Avoid buffet-style meals. Buffets are common at Thanksgiving gatherings; however, people often times stand too close to each other in line and breathe too close to the food on the table. Consider designating one person to do the serving while practicing social distancing. If you do have a buffet — with food set on a table or island for people to serve themselves — spread the dishes out to give people more room as they serve themselves.
4. Check in on your kūpuna. This Thanksgiving in particular, it’s important that we don’t forget about our family members who live in senior housing facilities or are sheltering in place for health reasons. Give them a call or safely visit them if permitted.
5. Hara Hachi Bu. Whether we're hosting small gatherings or limiting our Thanksgiving celebrations to our own household, it's important we remember to take care of our own bodies. Avoid the kanak attack by eating until you're 80% full. This allows you portion your holiday meals and maintain the energy you'll need for catching up loved ones or online shopping the next day.