TSA screens most people since March as travel picks up for Christmas

Despite public health officials’ pleas for people not to travel for the Christmas holiday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Wednesday recorded the most travelers since the pandemic began.

According to the TSA, 1,191,123 travelers passed through airport checkpoints, the most of any day since March 16, when 1,257,823 people were screened. 

The numbers are still down compared to the same point last year, when TSA screened just over 1.9 million people.

“If you choose to travel this holiday, please wear a mask,” TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein tweeted.

The record-setting travel comes as more than 327,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University data. A new “ensemble” forecast from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the next four weeks predicts a total of 378,000 to 419,000 COVID-19 deaths by Jan. 16.

On Wednesday, more than 3,000 people died for the second consecutive day, according to Hopkins data. 

According to the CDC, travel may increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. In a notice posted online, CDC said it “continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home, as this is the best way to protect yourself and others this year.”

Gatherings with family and friends from multiple households indoors can greatly increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19.

The CDC is urging people to celebrate virtually.