Together, but apart. Stay safe while giving thanks.

Growing up in my Mexican-American family, holidays were always a big deal. We served turkey with gravy and salsa, and of course, mom’s tamales. My six siblings and I always helped cook; I made the pumpkin pies. I have wonderful memories of Thanksgiving celebrations with our whole family.

This Thanksgiving is different. We know that it’s not safe to celebrate together this year. I’ll have dinner with my son and husband, and FaceTime with my siblings and friends throughout the day. While I’ll miss being home in California, I know that traveling is the worst thing we can do right now. Please join me in staying home this year.

The coronavirus is raging. Millions are sick or still dealing with scary long-term effects of the disease. More than 250,000 American families will be missing a loved one at the holiday table. COVID is wreaking havoc here in Southern California. And it’s particularly devastating our Latino and Hispanic communities, with up to 4.5 times more cases of COVID-19 compared to their white counterparts. Hispanic and Latinos are two times more likely to die from COVID-19.

I implore you: if you are able, please stay home. Don’t travel. Celebrate with those in your household. Be safe.

This has been a hard year, especially for millions of families in the Latino community. One in five are out of work. Latinos also have one of the highest uninsured rates for health care. Latinos and other minority essential workers are on the frontlines of the pandemic — without hazard pay, sick leave, and health insurance. In Congress, I’m working on a number of legislative solutions — but there is much more work to do. I authored a bill that would allow employers to cover costs for employees during these tough times, like childcare, temporary housing, and uniform cleaning. I also led a bill to offer hazard pay to frontline employees.

Essential workers are essential to our communities and to your families. You prepare our food and stock our grocery stores, so you can put food on your tables. You treat patients in hospitals, while trying to keep your family from getting sick. You care for our children and aging parents. You are keeping our communities safe and the economy running. You must also care for yourself.

Late last week, new restrictions were announced for California in an effort to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations. There have also been new restrictions from LA County, and we expect more will come. Let’s follow the directions of state and local officials and seek out official sources of information in these uncertain times. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance urging Americans to celebrate the holidays virtually or in-person with only members of their own household.

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, let’s do whatever it takes to protect ourselves and our families.

• Stay home as much as possible.
• If you can’t stay home keep a safe distance from others.
• Wear a mask when outside your home.
• Avoid indoor gatherings.

We must all do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus, make sure our hospitals and healthcare providers can do their jobs, and keep our economy running. I know it is hard, and it’s not what anyone wants to do.

I will miss my family and eating my mom’s tamales — but it will be worth it if I can help save a life.

As we celebrate a different kind of Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks to those who are keeping our communities safe, treating our sick family members, stocking our shelves, and everyone who is wearing a mask and staying apart for the greater good.