Vivian Zayas (far left) puts her hand on the machine that helped her mother walk when she was alive, praying with the rest of the family during Thanksgiving dinner on November 26 in New York.

Vivian Zayas (far left) puts her hand on the machine that helped her mother walk when she was alive, praying with the rest of the family during Thanksgiving dinner on November 26 in New York.

Family members waved goodbye to Mr. Barbara Farrior, 85 years old, after visiting him at Hebrew Home nursing home in New York, November 26.

Many elderly Americans have to celebrate Thanksgiving this year alone, because nursing homes only allow relatives to visit and see them through their cars to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infection.

Family members waved goodbye to Mr. Barbara Farrior, 85 years old, after visiting him at Hebrew Home nursing home in New York, November 26.

Many elderly Americans have to celebrate Thanksgiving this year alone, because nursing homes only allow relatives to visit and see them through their cars to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infection.

Nurse Jessica Franz, from Olathe, Kansas, walks past a refrigerated cart storing Covid-19 bodies at Olathe Medical Center after her shift on November 26.

Nurse Jessica Franz, from Olathe, Kansas, walks past a refrigerated cart storing Covid-19 bodies at Olathe Medical Center after her shift on November 26.

A woman receives free food at the Los Angeles Mission homeless center, California, on Thanksgiving Day on November 25.

A woman receives free food at the Los Angeles Mission homeless center, California, on Thanksgiving Day on November 25.

Ms. Evelyn Maysonet and the food were delivered by Weber-Morgan Health Center in Ogden, Utah on November 24.

No one in the family could leave home to buy food, so she had to receive relief supplies from the medical center.

Ms. Evelyn Maysonet and the food were delivered by Weber-Morgan Health Center in Ogden, Utah on November 24.

No one in the family could leave home to buy food, so she had to receive relief supplies from the medical center.

The United States, the largest epidemic area in the world, on November 26 recorded an additional 181,490 cases of nCoV infection, 2,297 deaths and 89,959 hospitalizations, according to statistics from Johns Hopkins University.

The alarming increase in infections seems to be due to millions of people traveling and gathering during Thanksgiving, despite the recommendations of health officials.

In the photo, long lines of cars line up on the way to Thanksgiving vacation in Chicago, Illinois, on November 24.

The United States, the largest epidemic area in the world, on November 26 recorded an additional 181,490 cases of nCoV infection, 2,297 deaths and 89,959 hospitalizations, according to statistics from Johns Hopkins University.

The alarming increase in infections seems to be due to millions of people traveling and gathering during Thanksgiving, despite the recommendations of health officials.

In the photo, long lines of cars line up on the way to Thanksgiving vacation in Chicago, Illinois, on November 24.

Passengers wearing masks and face shields hug each other at Denver airport, Colorado, on November 24.

US airports recorded about 900,000 to one million people per day passing through checkpoints from November 20 to 24, down about 60% from last year, but still the largest number of passengers since the pandemic began.

Passengers wearing masks and face shields hug each other at Denver airport, Colorado, on November 24.

US airports recorded about 900,000 to one million people per day passing through checkpoints from November 20 to 24, down about 60% from last year, but still the largest number of passengers since the pandemic began.

Lori Spencer (right) brings dinner, magazines and an old doll of her late father made by her mother to her nursing home in Seattle, Washington, on November 26.

Lori Spencer (right) brings dinner, magazines and an old doll of her late father made by her mother to her nursing home in Seattle, Washington, on November 26.

Balloons shaped like the character `Boss Baby` march through Manhattan, New York, in the 94th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Due to Covid-19, this year’s event is not allowed for spectators to gather to watch and participate.

Balloons shaped like the character `Boss Baby` march through Manhattan, New York, in the 94th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Due to Covid-19, this year’s event is not allowed for spectators to gather to watch and participate.

Mr. and Mrs. Janis and Uri Segal of Detroit, Michigan, celebrated Thanksgiving with a small dinner and conversations with other family members over the phone, following health officials’ recommendations to avoid large gatherings.

Mr. and Mrs. Janis and Uri Segal of Detroit, Michigan, celebrated Thanksgiving with a small dinner and conversations with other family members over the phone, following health officials’ recommendations to avoid large gatherings.

A photo of Ana Martinez, Vivian Zayas’s recently deceased mother, was placed next to an empty chair at the table during the family’s Thanksgiving dinner in New York.

A photo of Ana Martinez, Vivian Zayas’s recently deceased mother, was placed next to an empty chair at the table during the family’s Thanksgiving dinner in New York.

Photo: Reuters, AP