The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is encouraging all Rhode Islanders to make health a part of their holiday this Thanksgiving.
"Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to gather with friends and family, and to reflect on the blessings in our lives. As always, we're asking everyone to take a few additional steps to help themselves stay healthy," said Director of Health Dr. Jerry Larkin, MD. "This is particularly important given that in the coming weeks, we expect to see increases in the amount of respiratory virus circulating in Rhode Island—including flu, COVID-19, and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus—as people attend holiday gatherings. A few basic prevention measures can go a long way to help you and your family have a healthier holiday season."
Prevent the spread of respiratory viruses - Stay home if you are sick. Do not host others if you are sick. (Stay home and away from others until your symptoms are getting better for 24 hours and you are fever-free without fever-reducing meds for 24 hours. Then take added precautions for the next 5 days.) - Wash your hands with soap and water regularly. - Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Stay up to date with your vaccines:
Get your flu shot. Everyone age 6 months or older should be vaccinated every year.
Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Learn about RSV immunizations for at-risk populations.
Learn more at https://health.ri.gov/respiratoryviruses.
Change in Pediatric Vaccine Administration in Pharmacies Families should be aware there will be a change in the availability of COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine for children in pharmacies in the new year. Through December 31, 2024, pharmacy professionals can continue to administer COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine to children age 3-18. As of January 1, 2025, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians will only be allowed to administer flu vaccine to children age 9 or older and will not be allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children of any age. As of January 1, 2025, COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to children only by a pediatrician or other non-pharmacy healthcare professional. This change is the result of the expiration of a federal law created to expand pediatric access to vaccines during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. All patients age 18 or older can get any routinely recommended vaccine in pharmacies, as supplies allow, under Rhode Island law.
Food safety - Wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food. - Thoroughly wash counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible. - Washing your turkey before cooking is not recommended. Poultry juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops. - Think ahead and thaw your turkey safely. Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes), or in the microwave. It may take a few days to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator. - Cook raw turkey to an internal temperature of 165° F to kill harmful germs. Make sure stuffing also reaches 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature. - When serving food, remember to keep hot foods hot (at or above 140° F) and cold foods cold (below 40° F). For leftovers to be safe, they must be refrigerated within 2 hours of serving. Discard food that has sat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Consumers should also be aware that multiple brands of organic whole-bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms have been recalled. Learn more and then check your fridge.
Additional health tips - If you will be drinking, consume alcohol in moderation. - If you will be drinking and traveling, make sure you have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service. - Put down your phones, get away from the television, and do something interactive with family and friends. Good examples are playing a board game, playing cards, or taking a walk.