Airline companies and individuals alike look forward to this time of year when families all over the world travel to unite with one another over an overstuffed turkey.
However, with much of the nation cowering in fear over contracting COVID-19, loved ones are afraid – or banned – from eating or singing (more on that in a minute) in the same room together.
Let’s look at some of the mandates governors have imposed on their nanny states and why grandma may have to mail you some of her famous banana cream pudding.
New York is at it again.
We’ve already discussed on Proud American Traveler how New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has transitioned from extreme travel mandates to simply ridiculous ones.
At first there was a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for all incoming travelers.
Then the state required travelers to test negative for the coronavirus before even heading to the Empire State – then take another test upon arriving and quarantining until that one came back negative too.
All out of your own pocket of course!
But how else would liberal states raise money for their big government when they’ve shut out all the tourists – while manipulating the number of COVID-19 cases to fit the left’s narrative?
Well, not only is Gov. Cuomo anti-tourist, he’s anti-Thanksgiving.
“My personal advice is you don’t have family gatherings — even for Thanksgiving,” the Governor said during a conference call with New York Post reporters on Wednesday.
Mayor Bill de Blasio had a similar message, telling those in the Big Apple to stay put and not accept any family into their homes.
Cuomo believes the best way to say “I love you” to the friends and family you haven’t seen all year is to do so virtually.
But the smell of pumpkin pie, hugging your mother, and laughing at childhood stories with your siblings is just not the same on a computer screen!
Some states are being more strict with travel mandates than others.
While New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has limited indoor gatherings to 10 people, reports AP News, Governor Newsom in California has placed the most outlandish mandates citizens have ever heard – and residents are not sitting quiet about it.
Newsom publicly announced he is pulling the “emergency brake” on the liberal state after a surge of COVID-19 cases were reported.
As expected, they are not connecting the millions of dollars they just spent to test more residents with the increase in positive cases, but that’s for another time and place.
How does this effect Thanksgiving travel plans?
The state tyrant has actually banned singing and shouting during Thanksgiving events and has limited get-togethers to a mere two-hour reunion – held outdoors and all attendees wearing masks.
If you are wondering, “How is he going to enforce the banishment of song,” you are not alone.
Celebrities who live in the Golden State have taken to social media to express their disdain for the mandate, as well as poke fun at the decree.
One of the most popular posts is from actor Rob Schneider who tweeted “Emperor Newsom” and asked, “If my Aunt comes over, can I throw her a slice of turkey from the window?”
James Woods, the conservative celebrity who’s gained popularity for his comedic and honest tweets about the left has found a solution for Thanksgiving –
“Just make a few signs protesting Trump…then invite as many people as you want, and you’ll have no problem.”
The hypocrisy of the left says only liberal politicians can meet in large gatherings without risk of contracting COVID-19.
And I think he’s onto something here, because Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has forbidden residents to be around more than 10 people and has restricted leaving the house other than for groceries, reports AP News.
However, just last Saturday, Lightfoot posted a video of her celebrating Biden’s “election win” among hundreds of other people.
I guess she wasn’t worried about a “1,000 more people” dying, which she warned will happen if residents defy her mandates according to The Daily Mail.
Unsurprisingly, Michigan and Pennsylvania have similar restrictions on Thanksgiving.
So, if you’re planning on seeing loved ones this coming Turkey Day, check the travel restrictions before boarding your flight, because the local government may force you to spend your vacation in a pricey hotel or in a lab getting tested.
We’re hoping to see an end to this nonsense before next summer’s traveling surge – but don’t be surprised if Christmas will be like trying to escape Guantanamo Bay to give your niece presents in a liberal state.