CNN Medical Analyst Calls on Americans to Cancel Christmas and New Year's Eve Plans
Dr. Leana Wen said Americans should 'absolutely not gather indoors'
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Dr. Leana Wen, the medical analyst at CNN, urged the American public to cancel their Christmas and New Year plans due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Wen appeared on “New Day,” to voice concerns about the coronavirus deaths and cases which are on the increase since Thanksgiving.
Due to the “Thanksgiving surge," Wen said Americans should “absolutely not gather indoors with anyone who is not in their immediate family” for Christmas and New Year
“The incubation period for COVID-19 … is up to 14 days. The average is about five to seven days," wens added,
"And so what that means is we had Thanksgiving and people returning from Thanksgiving about a week ago."
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"So this week, we’re going to see the impact of that Thanksgiving surge. And I’m afraid that all of those numbers that you just presented, Erica, they’re going to go up,” Wen outlined.
“We’re going to see increases of hospitalizations, and hospitals are already on the brink."
WATCH:
The #covid19 will make a big difference starting spring. Our kids could be in school normally next fall & families altogether next winter holidays. In the meantime, we need to get through THIS winter. Please continue to wear masks, physical distance & avoid indoor gatherings. pic.twitter.com/zYGJV7XfoJ
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) December 6, 2020
"So, where is the reserve capacity? Where are patients going to be going at this point? I’m also deeply concerned about deaths going up," she added.
"At some point, we’re going to be surpassing 3,000 deaths per day, maybe even 4,000 deaths per day."
"Our surge right now is intensifying. It is amplifying.”
“And I hope that people realize that hospitals are the last line of defense. The first line of defense is the community," Wen continued.
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"And we really need everyone to do their part to flatten the curve,” she added.
“And that means, of course, wearing a mask, keeping physical distancing, but also so critically at this point, avoiding indoor gatherings."
"Anyone who has not canceled their plans yet for Christmas and the New Year should cancel their travel plans and absolutely not gather indoors with anyone who is not in their immediate family.”
Last month, Deborah Birx urged Americans who gathered for Thanksgiving to assume they are infected with COVID-19.
The coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force made the statements on Fox News "Face the Nation."
"We know people may have made mistakes over the Thanksgiving time period," Birx said on Sunday.
"If you're young and you gathered, you need to be tested about five to 10 days later. But you need to assume that you're infected and not go near your grandparents and aunts and others without a mask."
