Chancellor Michael F. Collins is urging the UMass Medical School community to stay home this Thanksgiving and virtually celebrate the holiday with family and friends to minimize spread of COVID-19. With virus spread at record levels across the country and rising, the Centers for Disease Control says people should avoid travel and restrict meals to only people who live in the same household.
“This year, rather than demonstrate the importance of family by our presence, we shall show it by our absence,” Chancellor Collins said in a holiday video message. “This virus has brought such contradiction to our lives. We mask our smiles. We show our care for each other by social distancing. We don’t shake hands or kiss cheeks. We love our family by staying apart this Thanksgiving.”
Watch his full message and hear how his family is celebrating in the video.