Thanksgiving celebrated in new ways as COVID-19 cases surge in Ontario

ELENI KOPSAFTIS

As local University of Guelph students settled into their classes for the new school year, the thought of travelling home for Thanksgiving during COVID-19 seemed daunting at best.

On the Friday before Thanksgiving weekend, Global News reported over 900 new cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, which was the highest recorded number of single-day cases since the first wave in late April.

Back in September, the provincial government had reduced reopening measures due to increasing case numbers, tightening restrictions and scaling back the number of people allowed to gather. Restaurants and bars were instructed to close early and focus primarily on take-out and delivery services, and gathering limits were lowered to 50 people outside, and ten inside.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health released a statement on Oct. 7 acknowledging that residents would still celebrate Thanksgiving despite the pandemic.

“Like many in our region, Thanksgiving is an important time for my family,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health. “This year, as we think about Thanksgiving, we need to get creative to ensure we celebrate safely.”

The statement encouraged those celebrating in their homes to limit their gatherings to those living within their household. Meanwhile, those who were gathering in outdoor spaces were urged to limit close physical contact and maintain social distancing, wear face coverings, and follow hand sanitizing procedures. For restaurant celebrations, WDG Public Health emphasized that patio dining was ideal for residents who were choosing to dine with people outside of their household.

On Oct. 9 the U of G also issued an update on Thanksgiving celebrations, urging students against visiting those outside their household. As a result, students who wanted to reduce travel risks by staying in Guelph for the holiday had limited options to celebrate.

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However, the U of G provided students with various COVID-friendly ways to enjoy Thanksgiving.

Hospitality Services at U of G sold a Thanksgiving meal-to-go for students via online registration. The dinner consisted of roast turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, a side salad, a roll with butter, and pumpkin pie for $16.49.

The meals were prepared and served to over 60 students at the University Centre courtyard between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 9.

“COVID has dampened everybody’s lives, and we do know that a lot of our students are back in and around Guelph, and not many can be with their families,” said Vijay Nair, executive chef at Hospitality Services, to The Ontarion.

“[The meal-to-go] is really good, and we hope that if [students] don’t get to go back home and be with family that they can enjoy the dinner and have some kind of semblance of a normal Thanksgiving.”

Hospitality collaborated on this idea with the Interhall Council (IHC), the University’s voice and advocate for students in residence, who organized a communal dinner on Microsoft Teams. Typically, they host a Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Brass Taps for students who can’t, or choose not to, go home during the holiday. The event was held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 9.

“It was reported that a very small percentage of students stayed for Thanksgiving. I think that was the biggest challenge,” said Emilie De Lima, vice-president of activities at IHC.

“I believe the event went well, but I always wish there was more engagement with my events — you can never have enough engagement! Since there are only about 500 students in residence and many went home, there were just under 10 students that came. I still think the event was cool though, it definitely had a closer-knit feel to it.”

De Lima says that she and the students who attended the event chatted and watched a movie together after their dinner.

During these uncertain times, it’s hard for U of G organizations to promise anything. However, many want to continue striving for engaging events throughout the school year.

“Based on the response, we will be more than willing to expand and do more,” said Nair about Hospitality’s Thanksgiving meal-to-go. “I definitely think that depending on the situation going forward with the number of cases and what not that we’ll [plan something like the meals-to-go in the future].”

Local organizations weren’t the only ones getting creative with their Thanksgiving celebrations this year. According to an article published on GuelphToday. com, residents from all over Ontario were finding alternatives to their usual holiday get-togethers.

Susan Torrie from Ottawa opted for a “Zoomsgiving” where she and her brother’s family dressed in “autumnal-themed outfits and polish-turkey hats.” Torrie said she was able to have dinner and play board games with them thanks to the virtual format.

As COVID-19 cases surge and restrictions tighten, families across the province continue to find creative ways to enjoy holidays and spend time with their loved ones and communities. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, celebration options are looking a little more hopeful for the upcoming holidays.