As COVID-19 worsens, some in Middle TN shift Thanksgiving plans

This year, the table at Robyn Henderson-Espinoza's home in Nashville will be unusually empty on Thanksgiving.

Last year it was bursting with friends — or "chosen family," as Henderson-Espinoza put it — that gathered to celebrate and create space for those who may not have had another place to land. But as COVID-19 worsens in Middle Tennessee and across the nation, Henderson-Espinoza, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, and their partner, Erin Law, decided to simplify plans this year. Even though it is a time they especially feel the need for support and community, they decided the safest thing is to stay apart.

"It's counter-intuitive," Henderson-Espinoza said. "For me, the empty table reminds me there is so much more work to do to get the virus under control."

Henderson-Espinoza sees this year as an opportunity to reflect on the grief and anger brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to consider the many gifts they have. 

The couple plans to cook for a few days in advance and spread out a turkey from Bare Bones Butcher in West Nashville. They'll also make all their favorite, traditional sides: mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls and vegetables. Later in the day, they plan to do a Zoom video call with family. 

Tennessee sees surge in cases, deaths, hospitalizations

The pandemic rapidly escalated across Tennessee and the nation as a whole last week, exceeding prior records for infections, hospitalizations and deaths. More Americans are carrying the virus now than during any prior spike.

Tennessee set a record last week by reaching a seven-day average of 4,500 new daily cases, although this average has since fallen to about 4,200.

As of Sunday, the state was reporting an average of 53 deaths per day for the prior seven days; the statewide positivity rate was above 14%; and more than 2,000 people were actively hospitalized with the virus. All three statistics were the highest ever reported.

ANALYSIS:As Thanksgiving approaches, Tennessee reports 50-plus deaths a day

Hospitalizations are also accelerating. Tennessee set a record for hospitalizations almost every day for six weeks, and the increase was steepest — up about 39% — in the past two weeks.

Gov. Bill Lee joined other Tennesseans by canceling his traditionally large family gathering for Thanksgiving. Nashville Mayor John Cooper also capped gatherings at eight people, which took effect Monday, to curb a recent upswing in cases and spread in Nashville. 

CDC recommends sticking to individual households

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States in the last week. 

"As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with," the CDC website said. 

If you do plan to travel, the CDC provided a list of important questions to consider and precautions to take, like getting a flu shot and checking travel restrictions. It also recommended wearing a mask in public and around those you do not live with, along with staying six feet apart. 

"Remember that people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or flu," the CDC website said. "Keeping 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick."

Brett Kelman contributed to this story. 

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.