My mother's care aide is planning to have a big family gathering for Thanksgiving. What can I do?

“December, January and early February are going to be terribly painful months,” Fauci said.

If you decide to allow her back then I would want temps taken everyday of everyone. (We keep a log at my aunts home.) We know that the earlier caught the better. Of course, not everyone has a temp. And not every temp means Covid but a test for sure at that point.

All proper protocols should be covered starting now to see how realistic it will be to implement in your particular situation.

Depending on what she does for your mom, you may need to do the hands on portion. Strict adherence to all guidelines. Windows open when possible. Masks on everyone, gloves, frequent hand washing. No eating together.

You know, treat it like it’s a deadly infectious disease. (Not trying to be a smarty. It’s difficult to keep focused with Covid Fatigue etc).

In a way, she covered herself by telling you her plans. Now it’s up to you to make the hard decisions.

We are all in the same boat to one degree or another. Let us know how it goes. Your going over this with the caregiver will drive home to her the risk involved....or not. I’ve read that as they lay dying of Covid, some refuse to acknowledge that the virus is real.

COVID testing is unreliable especially the rapid tests. Too many false results. The reality is, it’s highly likely she lives a normal life outside of work and is constantly exposed to others. Since you know she’s having a large family gathering, personally I would cancel her services. There’s a good chance she will go shopping Thanksgiving weekend to take advantage of the sales too so I would make Wednesday her last day of work and not bring her back until 12/10 at the latest. Hopefully you can manage by yourself without help during that time unless family is available to help.

There is a very good chance she is not adhering to proper social distancing protocols during non-holiday periods. Most people aren't.

She will need to quarantine for two weeks following her Thanksgiving holiday. Trying to use negative Covid tests doesn't work as you can test negative in the morning and then have Covid by the afternoon after you have generated sufficient viral load for it to actually show up, According to the CDC and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health you still need to quarantine regardless of a negative test result if you have been exposed to someone with Covid and given the current community spread if she is in a group of people you need to assume someone has Covid, even if they are asymptomatic. You should let the caregiver know right now that she will not be able to work for you during this period and perhaps she will change her plans. If she doesn't change her plans then I would rethink using this home health aide since she is probably not adhering to proper social distancing protocols during non-holiday periods.