Special edition: Experts on staying safe during Thanksgiving

The latest advice from epidemiologists, public health experts and researchers͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ US Edition - Today's top story: As CDC warns against Thanksgiving travel, here are a dozen more things you can do to help stop COVID-19 [View in browser]( US Edition | 20 November 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising against Thanksgiving travel as COVID-19 cases rise and after U.S. deaths surpassed 250,000 this week. Today, we bring you a collection of recent stories that explain not only how to stay safe, but the scientific and medical explanations behind certain measures. While these are scary times, we know that medical and scientific advances will pull us through – along with compassion and kindness for one another as we await them. Lynne Anderson Senior Health + Medicine Editor Today's newsletter supported by [you, our readers]( While it may be deflating, events like the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are best watched from home this year. Here, the Harold the Fireman balloon lies face down as he readied for the parade on Nov. 27, 2019. Gary Hershorn via Getty Images [As CDC warns against Thanksgiving travel, here are a dozen more things you can do to help stop COVID-19]( Pamela M. Aaltonen, Purdue University Inaction over the next few months could cost tens of thousands of lives. Here are things you should do now to stay safe and to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Health and science - [Keeping indoor air clean can reduce the chance of spreading coronavirus]( Shelly Miller, University of Colorado Boulder Being indoors with other people is a recipe for spreading the coronavirus. But removing airborne particles through proper ventilation and air filtration can reduce some of that risk. - [How to host a safe holiday meal during coronavirus – an epidemiologist explains her personal plans]( Melissa Hawkins, American University COVID-19 and holiday family gatherings are not a good pair. But taking the right precautions before, during and after the family gets together can greatly reduce coronavirus risk this holiday season. - [Why face masks belong at your Thanksgiving gathering – 7 things you need to know about wearing them]( Jason Farley, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing More states are adding mask mandates as COVID-19 cases soar. If you’re traveling, shopping or seeing friends and family in person, masks are a crucial protective measure. - [An epidemiologist explains the new CDC guidance on 15 minutes of exposure and what it means for you]( Ryan Malosh, University of Michigan New guidance from the CDC says that 15 minutes of exposure – regardless of whether that occurs at one time – can result in transmission of the coronavirus. - [When COVID-19 superspreaders are talking, where you sit in the room matters]( Suresh Dhaniyala, Clarkson University Experiments in college classrooms show how tiny respiratory droplets known as aerosols can spread, even with good ventilation. The risk isn't the same in every seat. - [Being outdoors doesn’t mean you’re safe from COVID-19 – a White House event showed what not to do]( Thomas A. Russo, University at Buffalo The outdoors is less risky than an enclosed room, but it isn't a COVID-19-free zone. Here's what you need to know. - [How mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna work, why they’re a breakthrough and why they need to be kept so cold]( Sanjay Mishra, Vanderbilt University There are two new COVID-19 vaccines that appear to be more than 90% effective. But what are these vaccines, and how are they different from those used previously? You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451