Thanksgiving often means large gatherings and traveling to visit loved ones, but this year local health professionals urge everyone to use caution.

COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically over the past few months throughout the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area and across the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly discourages attending or hosting holiday gatherings that include people from other households. Dallas County Public Health Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says what may seem like an innocent gathering can do harm on everyone involved, “This year small is good. We really urge people to plan to stay home for Thanksgiving with their own household and avoid a big gathering with extended loved ones. The unintended consequence will be the spread of the COVID virus, and nobody wants that.”

DCPH pleads for residents to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously, stating, “Personal responsibility often means personal sacrifice, and this is one of those occasions. Americans made many sacrifices in the past, and the coming holiday season will be an opportunity for this generation to put the well-being of others before personal pleasure.” You can hear more from Cochran on Tuesday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on KDLS and RaccoonValleyRadio.com.