The coronavirus pandemic has certainly changed many things about life in 2020, including how the upcoming holidays will be celebrated.
One company is trying to help a little bit this Thanksgiving.
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discouraging normal gatherings this Thanksgiving, plans for virtual gatherings are being made all across the country. Zoom is making that a little easier.
Zoom will be dropping its normal time limit for meetings on its free platform on Thanksgiving, allowing families and friends to extend their virtual holiday for as long as they wish.
“We know Thanksgiving will look a little different this year, so we’re lifting the 40-minute time limit to allow families and loved ones to connect on Zoom for as long as they need and from wherever they are in the world,” said Janine Pelosi, Zoom’s chief marketing officer.
The company announced the change via a tweet last week, noting the unlimited time limit will apply to all 24 hours of Thanksgiving and continue until 6 a.m. ET on Friday.
“Avoid large gatherings and mask up,” they concluded in their tweet while starting the hashtag #ZoomTogether.
Zoom’s gesture has been appreciated by doctors and other medical professionals, who have been retweeting the message.
“This Thanksgiving, show your love for your family and friends by reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 and gathering virtually,” wrote the Washington State Medical Association in retweeting the Zoom post.
Zoom officials said the move keeps with the company’s mission.
“Throughout the pandemic, Zoom’s had a big role in helping to keep people connected both personally and professionally, and we hope this helps provide a safe and easy way to gather friends and family this Thanksgiving without having to worry about cutting your family gatherings short,” Pelosi said.
If you are celebrating the holidays from home this year, here are some of our favorite virtual tours that will fascinate and inform.