Norman Knight: Altered, delayed gratification will do

<p>Most mornings I go online to find out what has transpired in the larger world since I last checked in.</p><p>I read updates on the previous day’s events, glance at national and foreign correspondents’ reports, weigh pronouncements from experts on matters both weighty and slight, and consider various pundits’ commentaries on some of these pressing issues. I try to keep informed while not falling headfirst into the political or cultural abyss we call civilization in this year 2020.</p><p>During these days leading up to Thanksgiving, I have been reading advice from a cavalry of medical experts who all carry the same basic message: Don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. To be fair, most of them qualify that by suggesting we consider celebrating our National Communal Feast differently this year.</p><p>“Don’t travel to commune with family or friends,” they warn. “Don’t put yourself or your loved ones in an enclosed room together for an extended period of time, especially if they are not part of your ‘bubble,’” they advise. “If you plan to share a meal together, consider eating outside,” they suggest. “If you do gather inside, don’t stay together for more than 15 minutes,” they caution, “and maybe open windows to encourage airflow.”</p><p>“If you are in a room with others,” they counsel, “don’t take off your mask except to eat; remember to keep a safe distance from one another; try not to talk loudly or sing or laugh or shout or breath heavily; and certainly don’t hug and kiss.”</p><p>“Oh, and wash your hands,” they repeat over and over.</p><p>Some on the Internet have tried to be helpful by suggesting virtual alternatives to Thanksgiving celebrations. Instead of meeting in person, they say, Zoom with your family, play virtual games, exchange recipes so everyone can cook at their individual kitchens and still experience that traditional green bean casserole the whole family loves.</p><p>Hmm. Maybe I need to quit following the news.</p><p>Just kidding. I am truly thankful for those health care professionals who are cautioning us to think things through. I am thankful that they devote their lives to finding out what works and sharing what they’ve learned with everyone. I am thankful they care. And just as sincerely, I am thankful for those lemons-into-lemonade types whose gift it is to come up with alternative ways of celebrating Thanksgiving.</p><p>I believe most people in America and around the world trust doctors and researchers and appreciate them for their knowledge and advice. I also believe many people are going to read the experts’ lists of dos and don’ts as well as the alternative celebration proposals and pick and choose and tweak the individual suggestions to their liking.</p><p>“Isolating ourselves is probably the best solution,” we reason, “but I think if we are careful and do it right we’ll still be safe.”</p><p>This seems to be how how we humans operate.</p><p>I say this because tweaking the lists is how our family will probably proceed. The four kids and five adults who are hoping to gather on Thanksgiving Day will be sitting outside around a bonfire, weather permitting. If the weather is an issue, we will situate ourselves at three different card tables in a large room with ceiling fans and windows open. And if it rains, we might open the garage door and celebrate out there. We’ll keep safe distances, wear masks, and try not to laugh or sing or shout too loudly. (This will be a good excuse to not talk politics.)</p><p>It’s still a work in progress because we don’t know what the weather will be. And, of course, if even one member of our group feels ill between now and then, we will cancel the entire thing. We keep in mind that one of the life skills we learn in elementary school is flexibility. We certainly will have other opportunities to get together. We can wait. After all, another life skill is delayed gratification.</p>