According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a staggering 1,191,123 passengers went through airport checkpoints on that Wednesday, marking it as the busiest travel day since March 16. This surge in travel comes during a month that has seen record COVID-19 cases, with reports indicating that around 143 Americans are testing positive for the virus every minute. Yet, many chose to disregard the cautionary advice.
Lisa Farbstein, a spokesperson for TSA Public Affairs, noted on Twitter that similar travel numbers were anticipated for the upcoming weekend as individuals returned home after the holidays. On the day before Thanksgiving, TSA recorded 1,070,967 travelers passing through checkpoints, again in defiance of the CDC’s recommendations to stay home. Even though the CDC issued its travel advisory just days before Thanksgiving, it reissued similar warnings ahead of the winter holidays, yet many continued to travel for Christmas.
The CDC clearly stated, “Travel may increase your chance of spreading and getting Covid-19,” emphasizing that postponing travel is the best option for protecting oneself and others this year. With over 330,000 deaths attributed to the virus in the U.S. and more than 18 million confirmed cases, the surge in cases during December has been linked to Thanksgiving gatherings and travel. Experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, expressed concerns about a potential surge following the Christmas gatherings.
While it’s understandable that many feel the need to connect with loved ones during the holidays, we recognize and appreciate those who chose to stay home and prioritize safety.
For more information on health and wellbeing during this time, check out this post from our other blog Home Insemination Kit or explore Make A Mom for authoritative insights on home insemination. Additionally, ASRM provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination topics.
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Summary:
On December 23, 2020, over a million travelers flew despite CDC warnings about holiday travel amid rising COVID-19 cases. This marked the busiest travel day since the pandemic began, raising concerns about potential surges in infections due to gatherings. While many chose to travel, others prioritized safety by staying home.