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Doctor's Thanksgiving warning: Avoid eating with people who don’t live in your home

'The second that you all start eating at the same table, you’re putting each other at risk.'

CLEVELAND — As COVID-19 numbers surge throughout the state of Ohio and across the country, medical experts have been warning everybody to take extra precautions as the holidays approach.

Now with Thanksgiving upon us, doctors are expressing their concerns.

“Right now, based on our numbers, I would not eat around people who didn’t live in the same house as me,” said Dr. David Margolius, MetroHealth Division Director of Internal Medicine. “It’s one thing to see your family and see your friends, but if you can do that spaced out, everybody wearing masks with ventilation, you’re safe.”

Once masks are removed and distancing is diminished, that’s where Dr. Margolius warns the risk increases.

“The second that you all start eating at the same table, you’re putting each other at risk,” he said.

The safest alternative? Health experts suggest sharing your Thanksgiving virtually this year with those who don't live in your home.

Earlier this week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine asked all Ohioans to stay home as much as possible to help flatten the curve.

“Even if we turn this ship around right today, we know that this hospital admissions, at least for a while, are going to continue to go up. That’s what’s scary. This is not sustainable. We have to turn this thing around, and we have the ability to do it. I’m asking every Ohioan to cut back on things you’re doing. Stay home more.”

Some counties throughout the state – including Cuyahoga, Summit and Medina – have issued stay-at-home advisories through mid-December, urging residents only to leave their homes when necessary. The city of Akron, meanwhile, passed legislation that limits the number of outside guests in one home to six people.

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