Shiawassee Times

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan's chief medical executive, recently insinuated to Michigan residents that visiting family over Thanksgiving could result in their deaths as a result of COVID-19.

In fact, Khaldun said that no one should be leaving their homes for Thanksgiving, and that anyone who must travel for any reason should quarantine for two weeks prior, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

“This is not the time to travel for the holidays,” Khaldun said in a Nov. 12 press conference, according to Michigan Capital Confidential. “You also should not be leaving your home, unless you absolutely must, for 14 days before you intend to travel.”

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun | Michigan.gov

Khaldun also forbid Michiganders from having physical contact with anyone who is not a member of their household.

“You should not have physical contact with people who you don’t already live with,” Khaldun said, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential. “I know you may want to hug your extended family, but you could have the virus and you could spread it to them.”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently stated that anyone intending to attend any kind of social gathering, regardless of how far away, should have quarantined in their home for a full two weeks beforehand, reported Michigan Capitol Confidential. The state defines a gathering as “any occurrence, either indoor or outdoor, where two or more persons from more than one household are present in a shared space.”

In fact, in order to be in compliance with Khaldun’s declaration and still attend a Thanksgiving gathering, a person would have had to begin quarantining the morning of the day Khaldun made her decree, which was Nov. 12.

“If you are smart now, you may be able to have a nice holiday with your loved ones alive at this time next year,” Khaldun said, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.