WCPO: Gathering for Thanksgiving may not be worth 'playing Russian roulette with our families'
UC expert says asymptomatic family members may spread COVID-19
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine likens attending a big Thanksgiving gathering with family to playing a deadly game of chance. In an interview with WCPO-TV, he said “I think (holidays) are a very dangerous time for us in 2020 where we could see a lot more COVID spreading within families. I don’t think it’s worthwhile playing Russian roulette with our families.”
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the UC Division of Infectious Diseases. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand
Fichtenbaum said at least 50% of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, meaning there’s a likely chance that a person could spread the disease to other family members in a close-contact situation. He also said 80 to 90% percent of the population is still at risk for catching the coronavirus.
“Which means that a family member could have no symptoms and could be shedding virus at a family event,” Fichtenbaum said.
Experts expect cases to rise after Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, which Fichtenbaum said are the type of close events likely to cause the spread of COVID-19.
Lead image Getty Images
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Stay up on all UC's COVID-19 stories, read more #UCtheGood content, or take a UC virtual visit and begin picturing yourself at an institution that inspires incredible stories.
Related Stories
Love it or raze it?
February 20, 2026
An architectural magazine covered the demolition of UC's Crosley Tower.
Social media linked to student loneliness
February 20, 2026
Inside Higher Education highlighted a new study by the University of Cincinnati that found that college students across the country who spent more time on social media reported feeling more loneliness.
Before the medals: The science behind training for freezing mountain air
February 19, 2026
From freezing temperatures to thin mountain air, University of Cincinnati exercise physiologist Christopher Kotarsky, PhD, explained how cold and altitude impact Olympic performance in a recent WLWT-TV/Ch. 5 news report.