The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is encouraging all Rhode Islanders to make health a part of their holiday this Thanksgiving.
"Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to gather with friends and family, and to reflect on the blessings in our lives. As always, we're asking everyone to take a few additional steps to stay healthy," said Director of Health Dr. Jerry Larkin, MD. "This is particularly important given that in the coming weeks, we expect to see increases in the amount of respiratory virus circulating in Rhode Island–including flu, COVID-19, and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus–as people attend holiday gatherings. A few basic prevention measures can go a long way to help you and your family have a healthier holiday season."
Prevent the spread of respiratory viruses
-- Stay home if you are sick. Do not host others if you are sick. (Stay home and away from others until your symptoms are getting better for 24 hours and you are fever-free without fever-reducing meds for 24 hours. Then take added precautions for the next 5 days.) -- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly. -- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. -- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. -- Stay up to date with your vaccines: *Get your flu shot. Everyone age 6 months or older should be vaccinated every year. *Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. Children 6 months to 2 years of age and adults 19 years of age and older (including pregnant women) should be vaccinated. For healthy children between 2 years and 18 years of age, parents should talk to a healthcare professional about whether to get COVID-19 vaccine. *Learn about RSV immunizations for at-risk populations.
Prepare and store Thanksgiving food safely
-- Wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food. -- Thoroughly wash counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw turkey. Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked (such as raw meat, poultry, and seafood) and another one for foods that will not be cooked (such as raw fruits and vegetables). -- Washing your turkey before cooking is not recommended. Poultry juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops. -- Think ahead and thaw your turkey safely. The safest way to thaw a frozen turkey is in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours of thawing time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird. Keep it in a tray or pan to catch any liquid or juices that may leak. If you're short on time, the turkey can also be thawed in cold water, but the water must be changed every 30 minutes to ensure safety. Allow about 30 minutes of thawing per pound. Never thaw turkey on the countertop, as bacteria can grow rapidly at room temperature. -- Cook raw turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Use a food thermometer to make sure the turkey is fully cooked. To check the turkey's temperature, insert a food thermometer into the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. If stuffing your turkey, the stuffing must also reach 165°F in the center of the stuffing. -- When serving food, remember to keep hot foods hot (at or above 140° F) and cold foods cold (below 40° F). For leftovers to be safe, they must be refrigerated within 2 hours of serving. Discard food that has sat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. When reheating leftovers, make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165 F before serving. Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil before serving. Avoid reheating multiple times and only reheat what you plan to eat immediately to preserve flavor and reduce bacterial risk.
Additional health tips
-- If you will be drinking, consume alcohol in moderation. -- If you will be drinking and traveling, make sure you have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service. -- Put down your phones, get away from the television, and do something interactive with family and friends. Good examples are playing a board game, playing cards, or taking a walk.